One year later...

One year ago I set sail on one of the most amazing adventures of my life. As I sit here reminiscing about all I've seen and done in the past year, I am at a loss for words. How can I sum up this crazy life I've led for the past 12 months?

In the past year, I lived for eight months on a ship that transported me to over 20 countries literally around the world, I earned my Master's degree, and moved halfway across the United States to begin a new job in the field of international education.

I have watched the sun set over 2,000 pagodas in Myanmar, climbed to the top of Table Mountain despite the driving rain, and experienced the quiet of a Japanese garden and the intensity of the Ghanaian heat. I've delivered shoes to elementary students in need, shook my fist at the Pacific Ocean's fury and relished in the calm Indian Ocean. I became an Emerald Shellback, eaten foods I cannot identify, watched several men throw a tree trunks around for fun and lived by the light of the eternal summer sunshine.

I accomplished my goal - and then some - of traveling to 27 countries by my 27th birthday. In all respects, I've won life's lottery.

The funny thing about travel, however, is that is leaves you yearning for more. Yearning for more vacation time and money to travel again, more opportunities to truly delve into a new culture, more chances to be inspired by whatever's just around the next corner or down the next street.

All I can say is thank you. Thank you, Semester at Sea, for allowing me to sail on not one but two voyages in 2014. Thank you to SIT Graduate Institute for providing me with the opportunity to continue my education and career in international education. Thank you to my family and friends for your continued support. Although I've been away for most of the past year and have missed seeing you, I could feel your support from halfway around the world and feel grateful to have you in my life.

I don't know what the future holds for me, but I do know that travel will always be part of my life. My Semester at Sea voyages have reignited that passion. I may let the grass grow up around my feet for little while but you can bet I'll be off on a new adventure soon enough. Stay tuned...

"May we always be Emerald Shellbacks. May we always be world travelers. May we always be the crazy wonderful people we became. May be always be friends.

May we always be Semester at Sea."

-Brady Gerber, Semester at Sea spring 2014 student

The day is here!

As I sit in my hotel room this morning waiting to board the ship, I am reflecting on my previous international experiences, my studies at SIT Graduate Institute and my time working at Semester at Sea in Virginia this fall. Although I feel like I've been planning for this big adventure for several months I can’t believe today is actually the day when I’ll step onto the MV Explorer and begin my voyage around the world.

I am feeling excited, nervous and anxious all at the same time, more so than with my previous experiences abroad. I think the reason is that this time I’ll be working instead of just being a student along for the ride! I know I’ll figure everything out with my work but right now, my stomach is turning. This will probably not be a good combination with the rocking ship, so these feelings better subside before the seasickness that’s bound to happen sets in.

I've received a few requests from readers about sharing this blog with others and the answer is YES! Please share with friends, family, co-workers, etc.-anyone who’s interested in travel or in this particular adventure! I plan to update this blog as much as possible throughout the voyage. However, I must mention that internet on the ship can be dicey so updates may have some lag time but if you ever want to know where I happen to be sailing, you can view the SAS voyage calendar.

Since the ship’s internet is not the best, communications between the ship and the U.S. can be challenging. If you would like to contact me, the best ways are by commenting on this blog, on facebook, or through my work email address: whitney.longnecker.sp14@semesteratsea.org.

Adios from dry land! My next post will be when I’m out to sea!