So Long…but Stay Tuned
Well, that’s it. I closed the door to Cabin 4165 for the last time. I left the ship around 11 a.m. today. I am now officially a veteran of Semester at Sea.
Some purists, however, might take issue with that. Since I will miss 5 of the ports, not to mention the second Atlantic crossing in August, one could argue that I’m not a full-fledged veteran. When I announced that I was checking out at the purser’s desk, the assistant purser said, “Oh, you’re only a partial voyager?”
Okay, I might be just a partial voyager. But let me tell you this: during the first Atlantic crossing – from Nova Scotia to Norway – I suffered from seasickness and the meclizine hangover right along side the full voyagers. I, too, know the shortcuts from Deck 7 down to Deck 4.
I know what it is to sit through a Global Studies lecture in the Union when the seas are heaving…and so are some students. I’ve dined on iceberg lettuce and countless oranges on Decks 5 and 6. I’ve donned my life-jacket and dutifully reported to muster station C-5 for the lifeboat drills. I’ve sat through cultural and logistical pre-ports as well as diplomatic briefings. I’ve grown accustomed to having someone else make my bed. I’ve learned new meanings of the terms “flexibility” and “personal space.” I’ve bonded with my ID card and have come to accept how several crew members call me “Liz” (my first name, Elizabeth, appears on my ID card).
I witnessed the arrival of the faculty in New York and the students in Halifax. I found the house where my family lived when I was born. I saw the Norwegian fjords, walked the mean streets of St. Petersburg and basked in the glow of Denmark.
I’ve made friends with students from California to Maine. I’ll miss seeing them all: Kyle Conley, Jeremy Frank, Lindsay Fedler, Tanya in the library, Brendan Marks, Kailey Bender, Katie Manning, Brent, Jake, Haley Parker, Stephanie, Kyle Mihalcoe, Natalie, Sean Mobley, Mary Yoest and her brother Dan, and many others. I’ll miss the faculty, lifelong learners and SAS staff. I’ll miss hearing Capt. Kingston announce that we will soon hear the ship’s alarms…for training purposes only. Seven short and one long.
I came aboard the ship an educated person who was ignorant of so much of the world. Thanks to the faculty, lifelong learners, students and the ports themselves, I’m leaving a bit more enlightened. The first day I boarded the MV Explorer – June 6 – I heard Les McCabe, president of SAS, talk about how the program transforms lives. I distinctly remember thinking, “That’ll be a nice thing for the students.” Little did I envision how much I, too, would be expanded and stretched.
To say that I’m grateful for this experience is putting it mildly. It’ll take a while to absorb it. Throughout the past 5 weeks, I’ve greatly appreciated the emails from loved ones & colleagues as well as readers whom I’ve never met. For me, writing this blog has been an integral part of the voyage experience. I’ve been conditioned in much the same way that Pavlov’s dogs were to the sound of the bell: in the future, when I smell seawater, I’ll automatically dash to the nearest laptop to begin typing.
But the blog is not just about my experience. I hope I’ve conveyed something of what it’s like for a lot of us to sail with this remarkable program. Once I’m back on familiar soil, my goal is to keep the blog going. Before leaving the ship, I spoke with students, faculty and lifelong learners who have graciously offered to send their mini-entries, which I’ll post on this site.
So, if you will, please keep reading. Like you, I’m curious to hear more from my friends, the full voyagers
Posting your comment
Marianne Lilliedahl | July 10, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
Thank you so much for doing this blog. It has kept me informed and comfortable when I have not heard from my daughter Karin for a day or so. As a parent, sitting a home, or work, and watching the website for updates, your blog has been particularly informative. I will miss your insights into the different countries and your descriptions of the activities.
Best of luck in your future adventures!
Regards,
Marianne Lilliedahl
York, PA
Karen Manning | July 10, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
I’d like to add my thanks as well. It was great to be able to read your posts and keep informed about the voyage. What a great idea and hope they continue it for future voyages. Have a good return trip back to reality! (making beds, cooking your own meals!)
All the best,
Karen Manning
Daniel Evans | July 11, 2008 @ 2:27 am
Mary, I also want to thank you for your effort and information with this blog. Each morning I look forward to seeing if my son has written anything about his experiences, either by blog or email, and then I would check for your updates to gain an even better perspective of what everyone may be experiencing. (My son even accused me of having ESP after I mention various dinners of events in our email exchange!)
Having lived in Europe (many) years ago, I enjoy hearing everyone’s different views and experiences in contrast to my own has I traveled some of the same areas when I was their age.
Thank you again for your efforts.
D Evans
Surprise AZ
Lorrie Benson | July 11, 2008 @ 11:48 am
Mary,
When my daughter got on the ship in Halifax I told her that if she had to choose between something fun and interesting in port or on ship, or emailing her mother, she should always pick the fun and interesting. As I result, I’ve had only two brief emails from her in four weeks, which I assume means she’s fine and having fun. I’ve missed hearing about her adventures, though, so it’s been such a pleasure to follow the voyage through your blog. I was especially delighted to see my daughter’s photo on your blog under the “Ship’s Family” entry. She’s in the far right photo, second from the right.
Thanks so much!
Lorrie Benson
Lincoln, NE
McCrea Kudravetz | July 11, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
Mary,
It’s been a pleasure to read your blog of the Semester at Sea so far. I kept hoping that my daughter Julia might turn up in your observations, and was pleased to find her name in your musings from July 10! I am yet another parent living vicariously through the experiences of her daughter…
Thank you for your delightful insights,
Mackie Kudravetz
Earlysville,
Virginia