Semester at Sea Study Abroad Program Overview
Institution
Established in 1963, Semester at Sea is the only study abroad program of its kind in the world. Using a ship as a traveling campus, undergraduates, lifelong learners, faculty, and lecturers live and learn together while examining a major region of the globe.
Locations
The MV Explorer is a new, modern, and safe passenger ship that circumnavigates the globe twice a year and explores a world region each summer. Complete with a student union, wireless Internet, 9,000-volume library, and many of the amenities you'd find on a landbased campus, the ship functions as both a traveling university and residential home to more than 2,000 participants each year.
Housing
Cabins are included with the fees as well as access to the gym, pool, spa, and other amenities. Prices vary by cabin. All meals aboard the ship are included. Even on days in port.
Financial
Program Costs
Students participating on an SAS program will be billed through Appalachian the SAS tuition, fee, and housing/board costs. This will replace the Appalachian tuition & fees for the term they are abroad.
Paid to Appalachian State
| |
Semester |
| 1SAS Program Fee |
See SAS (app $26-32,000) |
| 2OIED Program Development Fee |
$200 |
| Intl Health Dev Fee |
$60 |
1SAS Program Fee includes tuition, housing, meals, program excursions, and insurance.
2The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
| |
Semester |
| Airfare |
Varies |
| 1Personal Expenses |
Varies |
| Books and Materials |
Varies |
| Local Transportation |
Varies |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
Varies |
| Passport |
$150 |
| 2US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
| 3Personal Travel and Spending |
Varies |
1Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
2Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester.
3Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
SAS Scholarships
SAS offers several scholarships each year.
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $250 to $2000.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
Over a 100-day voyage on a shipboard campus, students select academic courses drawn from 20 – 25 fields of study that are integrated with relevant field classes in up to a dozen countries, allowing for an experiential, comparative education that is truly global. For more information about course offerings please visit the SAS website.
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). Students on an SAS program will take 12-15 credits per semester. For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
Students applying to a SAS program should complete the
SAS application while also completing the Appalachian application.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.