This program will allow me to experience a whole new type of hands on learning - minus the college credits (thanks a lot Columbia) - while sailing in my mobile classroom.
Since I'm not getting credit and took a leave of absence from my school for the semester, I was able to get a few scholarships through the Institute of Shipboard Education and I'll also be doing work-study on board in the Field Office. To start my journey in the Field Office, I had a few meetings and and an orientation with my new team. The ship is amazing - although I did get lost a few times in the beginning.
I met my new roomie Hayley, an art student from Kentucky. We lucked out and got a room on the outside of Deck 4 which was big (relatively speaking) and had a huge window.
The boat was a bit rocky the first few days - I had to put my first seasick patch on! Luckily it worked and I no longer felt as wobbly.
In other news, today we had the first Pub Night which means you're allowed a whopping five beers or glasses of wine. But I forgot to get my drink voucher so I saved $18 instead.
Over the past five days, we have lost 4 total hours while traveling from Montreal to Morocco. It's nice gradually taking away hours instead of all at once. This is truly the way to travel.
Once we set sail, I had my first set of classes, Global Studies and Cultural Geography. Leading up to a port, each class focuses on different aspects of the country we will be in - and then we're there and can experience it first hand!
Work-study in the Field Office is going great. My bosses, Josh, Paula and Kristin, are so well-traveled and just awesome in general. I also have 3 other work-study pals - Mike, Sarah and Maryum. Thus far, I've just been answering questions with my standard response - "Josh can help you with that"...or Paula....or Kristin.
Overall, it's just weird being in the middle of the ocean all of the time. And when I say weird...I mean awesome. I wish this was Columbia and I just sailed around the world for four years. That would be ideal.
Neptune Day
We crossed the equator during our trip and this was known as Neptune Day! It was filled with a lot of surprises including an 8 a.m. wake up call by drums and instruments. We went up to breakfast, which we later realized was the only positive thing about getting up that early. Everyone was told to go to the 7th floor pool deck where Captain Jeremy showed up with a lot of the staff and faculty, all wearing white toga outfits. He was supposed to be King Neptune, and was thus painted green. In order to pay respect to King Neptune, we got 'fish guts' poured on us and had to kiss a fish and Neptune's ring otherwise we would be thrown back into the pool.
A well known tradition by men and women alike, shaving your head was something I had heard of from someone who I had talked to who sailed a few semesters prior to me. Although I didn't do it, A lot of people shaved their heads, including my boss Paula. We listened to music on the 7th deck and danced - it was a lot of fun.
We crossed the equator during our trip and this was known as Neptune Day! It was filled with a lot of surprises including an 8 a.m. wake up call by drums and instruments. We went up to breakfast, which we later realized was the only positive thing about getting up that early. Everyone was told to go to the 7th floor pool deck where Captain Jeremy showed up with a lot of the staff and faculty, all wearing white toga outfits. He was supposed to be King Neptune, and was thus painted green. In order to pay respect to King Neptune, we got 'fish guts' poured on us and had to kiss a fish and Neptune's ring otherwise we would be thrown back into the pool.
A well known tradition by men and women alike, shaving your head was something I had heard of from someone who I had talked to who sailed a few semesters prior to me. Although I didn't do it, A lot of people shaved their heads, including my boss Paula. We listened to music on the 7th deck and danced - it was a lot of fun.
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