UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN EAU CLAIRE

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

Study Abroad

SEMESTER AT SEA 2020

Program Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS Healthcare on the Ship ...... 11 CISI Insurance on Board ...... 11 Academics ...... 5 Services for Students with Disabilities ...... 11 Pre-departure Planning ...... 5 Safety on the ship ...... 11 Credits and Course Load ...... 5 Safety in country ...... 11 Registration at Semester at Sea ...... 5 Emergency Contacts ...... 12 Field Class ...... 5 911 Equivalent While in Country ...... 12 Dropping/Adding Courses ...... 5 Marijuana and other Illegal Drugs ...... 12 Reporting Your Registration ...... 5 Required Documents ...... 13 Syllabi and Academic Work ...... 6 Immigration Documents ...... 13 Class Schedule ...... 6 Packing Tips ...... 13 Class Attendance ...... 6 Weather ...... 13 Grades ...... 6 Clothing & What to Pack/Not Pack ...... 13 SAS & UWEC Transcripts ...... 6 Getting To the Vessel ...... 13 Money Matters ...... 6 Travel Arrangements ...... 13 Cost Estimate ...... 6 Buying a Changeable Ticket ...... 13 SAS Refunds Policies & Withdrawals ...... 7 Settling In ...... 14 Currency Exchange ...... 7 Sea Olympics ...... 14 Cost of Living ...... 7 Student Programming Board ...... 14 Money on the Ship ...... 7 Tutoring...... 14 Credit Cards and ATMs ...... 7 Passport to Leadership ...... 14 Traveler’s Checks ...... 7 Housing...... 14 Scholarships ...... 7 Living Situation ...... 14 Health & Safety ...... 8 World Odyssey Amenities ...... 14 Centers for Disease Control ...... 8 Meals & Snacks ...... 14 Common Health Problems? (Or just “Intestinal Upset) ...... 8 Internet Access ...... 15 Water ...... 8 Communication ...... 15 Insect Bites ...... 9 Time Difference ...... 15 Dengue Fever ...... 9 Snail mail ...... 15 Zika Virus ...... 9 Telephone Information ...... 15 Malaria ...... 9 Cell phones ...... 15 Yellow Fever ...... 10 Ship Lingo ...... 15

Travel While Abroad ...... 15 Contact Information ...... 17 Organized Travel ...... 15 Web Resources for Semester at Sea ...... 18

Congratulations on being accepted to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire study abroad program with Semester at Sea. Living and studying in a new culture is both an exciting and a challenging experience. Past participants of study abroad report that the many advantages of international study include: Gaining new perspectives on a chosen academic field Increasing understanding of different cultures Enhancing personal development Developing different perspectives on U.S. culture Gaining self-confidence and independence Learning skills for the future international job market

It is up to you to determine how you can best benefit from these possible advantages. This is your adventure!

Use this program-specific guide with the more general resources in your BlugoldsAbroad account. While this guide contains the information available at the time of publication, it is impossible for any single resource to answer all of your questions. Your peer advisor will email information throughout the semester, and we encourage you to do your own research, also, using the web resources listed towards the end of this guide, as well as others that you find. Contact the Center for International Education (CIE) staff or your peer advisor with your specific questions.

Questions only you can answer include: 1) What are YOUR goals for this experience? Advancement in a future profession, desire to expand personal and academic horizons, need for a change, and wish to challenge yourself in a new environment?

2) How can you best prepare to meet your goals within the context of this program? For example, if one of your goals is truly being immersed in the cultures you visit, yet you are going with a group of American students, how can you insure that you do not spend too much time with other Americans?

The information in this guide was current at the time of publication, though changes may occur at any time.

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Field Class ACADEMICS Each course (except the Global Studies course) Additional information on topics such as will have an 8-hour, in-country field class. maintaining program eligibility, registration These are designed and led by a faculty at UW-Eau Claire, class attendance, course member who has expertise in a particular equivalencies, grades, transcripts and culture, location, or subject matter. Field service learning is in the Academics section of your Study Abroad Handbook. classes enhance and explore course content. When planning your schedule, you will have to Pre-departure Planning consider when each of your courses has their Please see the Semester at Sea academic field classes as field classes cannot overlap. page for details on how to plan your courses You will register for these field class at the while on the ship. same time as you register for courses. The cost of your required field classes and one Global Credits and Course Load Studied Credit Eligible Program IS included in You will enroll in 12 credits. You have the the voyage tuition. option to take 15 credits, but you cannot drop Your additional travel will have to be planed below 12. If you want to take more than 12 around your required field classes. credits, you need to get approval from the CIE.

Keep in mind: Dropping/Adding Courses • The credits you earn abroad are You will have the chance to add/drop courses considered UW-Eau Claire resident on the ship during the first few days of the credits. semester. Students can add courses between • The classes you take abroad will count when course registration starts (about 3 months towards the total credits needed for before voyage) through the onboard add/drop graduation. process. Beyond that, there won’t be any • Dropping below full-time status may additions or deletions allowed. result in loss of financial aid and/or insurance coverage and must be Reporting Your Registration approved in advance by the CIE and As soon as you confirm your final registration Semester at Sea. with SAS, log in to your BlugoldsAbroad account and complete the Course Registration at Semester at Sea Descriptions questionnaire. Courses for your voyage will continually be added to the SAS website, so please check If a course you are taking is not already in there frequently for updates. You will register the UW-Eau Claire Transfer Wizard, you will for your courses on your SAS MyPassport need to provide the following information: • course title account. Once registration is open, SAS will • course number send detailed instructions will be sent from • course description SAS. Each student will register for the required • number of credits Global Studies course, plus three standard • name of the department you would like courses, for a total of four courses (12 credits). credit in

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Once equivalencies have been established by all is the transcribing university so your grades on department chairs involved, the courses will be done on their A-F scale. posted to the Transfer Credit Wizard, and you will be able to see them there. Note: UWEC students abroad are not allowed to take classes pass/fail. Grades Equivalency timeline: The process of from SAS are figured into your UWEC GPA determining an equivalency can take four to six and posted to your UWEC transcript. No weeks. In other words, you will most likely not exceptions will be made be able to ask to have equivalencies established for 6-8 courses so that you can SAS & UWEC Transcripts choose which one you wish to take. Please see the Academics section of the Study

Syllabi and Academic Work Abroad Handbook for important information if you are graduating, transferring or applying Faculty will provide a syllabus for each course for a competitive major such as Nursing or you enroll in and will also provide you with ways Education at the end of your term abroad. to contact them. Since they are also on the voyage with you, they may set boundaries. A Colorado State University transcript with Class Schedule Semester at Sea grades is sent to UW-Eau You can expect to be in class when the ship is Claire, roughly 2-3 months after the end of the sailing. Then when you are in port, you will only semester. Because SAS grades may arrive be in class if you are on a field class. If you later than the end of the UW-Eau Claire have no field classes at a port, you won’t be in semester, your MyBlugold CampS account will class. Due to the sailing schedule, you may find initially indicate “NR” (not reported). This will be that you have 15 days in a row where you are in changed once the transcript arrives. class. Weekends are not an automatic day off, even when sailing. Be sure to follow the detailed calendar and syllabi you receive on the MONEY MATTERS ship. UWEC information about making payments, when they are due, withdrawal and refund Class Attendance deadlines, financial aid, general Any absences, due to sickness, have to be scholarships, budgeting and ways to bring approved by the on-board nurse/doctor’s office. money abroad is in the Money Matters Attendance at class and any field classes is section of your Study Abroad Handbook. mandatory and you could have 20% of your grade reduced for failing to participate. If you Cost Estimate are repeatedly tardy to things, you run the risk You can find the most current Cost Estimate for of earning dock time – meaning when the ship your program, in easily printable format, on the arrives to port and everyone else disembarks, SAS brochure page. Be sure you are looking at you have to stay on longer and wait it out. the correct term. The cost estimate includes what you pay to UWEC, what you pay to Grades Semester at Sea, and what you pay directly to The program uses the regular UW-Eau Claire other vendors. grading scale. Colorado State University (CSU)

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Fuel Surcharge From the SAS website: "From time to time fuel Cost of Living costs for our ship the World Odyssey may spike For an idea of what everyday costs you may in price for any number of reasons beyond encounter, check out this website where you Semester at Sea’s control. We of course make can enter in the countries you are going to and view their cost of living. This can help plan how every reasonable effort to control fuel pricing, much money you should budget for including efficient itinerary management and food/excursions/etc. annual port bunker planning. However,

Semester at Sea may regrettably be required to assess an additional fuel surcharge levee to all Money on the Ship The Semester at Sea ship, World Odyssey, is a revenue-paying passenger to help defray cashless society. In preparation for the Voyage, excess costs when such spikes appear you will create a shipboard account by imminent for an upcoming Semester Voyage. Therefore, no later than 30 days in advance of providing them with a credit card to which your each Semester Voyage, Semester at Sea will expenses will be charged. Anything that you assess the pricing outlook for the two types of purchase at the ship bookstore, café, etc. will maritime fuel required for our Vessel: IFO 380 be charged to your account and your credit card (so-called “heavy fuel”) and MGO (“marine gas- will be charged multiple times during the oil”). If the blended/weighted pricing of these voyage. two types is expected to exceed $381 per metric ton for the upcoming Semester Voyage, Credit Cards and ATMs Accessing money, while in country, will be best then a fuel surcharge will be properly noticed done with a credit card or ATM. See the Study and billed to all participants on a pro-rata basis Abroad Handbook for more information and tips to help defray these expected excess costs. We for using cards. base our pricing outlooks primarily on the

Rotterdam and Singapore markets for IFO380 Traveler’s Checks and MGO maritime fuels, which are the markets Traveler’s checks are not recommended as most closely resembling the majority of our fuel they are extremely hard to cash. acquisition needs.”

Scholarships SAS Refunds Policies & Scholarships are available through SAS and Withdrawals can be applied for directly through the SAS Please see Semester at Sea’s website for their website. refund policies and withdrawal timelines. If you

decide to participate in optional activities Need-based grants and merit scholarships planned by SAS, you will pay those directly to through SAS are awarded with a rolling SAS. application process. This means that the sooner Currency Exchange you apply, the better chance you have of You will be traveling to many different places receiving this type of aid. and will learn about the different money in each location. To look up countries and see current SAS also allows students to work on the ship, exchange rates go here. but you must apply in advance in order to be

7 considered for a position. You will not receive a A very common ailment is traveler’s diarrhea. paycheck; instead, your overall bill will be Prevention includes being careful about where credited. and what you eat and avoiding dairy products if they are not pasteurized. If you do get it, the Please visit their website for available following suggestions can help speed recovery scholarship opportunities and for the application and guide your decision to seek formal care: deadlines: 1. It will usually run its course in three to five http://www.semesteratsea.org/admission- days. The worst symptoms usually occur aid/financing-aid-scholarships/scholarships/ the first day. Bed rest may help relieve cramps. EALTH AFETY 2. The main risk is dehydration. Maintain fluid H & S intake. An excellent source of fluid General information on these issues, as replacement is ORS or Oraltye, a well as information on CISI insurance, is prepackaged liquid sold in many countries. included in the Health & Insurance and If unavailable, the following recipe provides Safety Abroad sections of your Study similar value: one liter carbonated water, 1/2 Abroad Handbook. teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder), 4 tbsps. sugar. Centers for Disease Control 3. An over-the-counter medicine like Pepto The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has Bismol may help relieve nausea and vaccination suggestions, how to stay healthy vomiting. when abroad, and health information specific to If nausea and vomiting persist for more than countries around the world. You can review the 24 hours, if you develop a fever over 101 CDC site and search for your destinations. degrees F, or if you develop severe abdominal pain, contact a physician Due to an increasing measles and mumps immediately. cases in Europe, we strongly encourage all students to check their vaccine history to see if Water they have had the MMR vaccine. Water around the world, may or may not be potable (drinkable) The general In addition, be sure to check each country to recommendation from the CDC for water is to see what (if any) vaccines they require. drink bottled or boiled water any time you Countries such as Ghana (and others) require don’t know. If you do your research and check proof of a yellow fever vaccination in order to each country you’re traveling to, the CDC will enter the country. mention whether or not the water is potable. By making sure that you are drinking Common Health Problems? (Or uncontaminated water, you can reduce your just “Intestinal Upset) exposure to many diseases such as infectious The most common health problem for U.S. hepatitis, cholera, diarrhea and dysentery. Americans while traveling is intestinal upset. Additional considerations for when you cannot The change in diet, the different meal schedule, drink the water: and organisms unfamiliar to your system are possible causes.

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Severe dengue can be fatal, but with good Brush your teeth with bottled or boiled water. treatment, less than 1% of patients die from Carbonated bottled water, soft drinks, beer, dengue. See a doctor immediately if you wine, hot tea, and coffee are usually safe. Wipe off the top of a bottle before drinking out develop dengue symptoms during or after of it or ask for a straw your time abroad: Where water is contaminated, ice is also Symptoms of dengue include: contaminated—you may wish to order drinks • Fever without ice. If you are traveling avoid fruits that cannot be • Headache peeled, fruit juices diluted with water, raw • Pain behind the eyes vegetables, and salads that have not been • Joint and muscle pain washed with disinfected water. If buying food • Rash from street vendors, stick to breads or fruits that you peel yourself. • Nausea/vomiting When you are not in control of your water • Mild bleeding, such as nose or gum bleeding supply or cannot purchase bottled water, or easy bruising consider bringing a portable water purifier,

available at most outdoor stores, boil water vigorously for at least 10 minutes, or use Zika Virus water purification tablets (one tablet per quart The Zika infection, in pregnant women can of clear water, or two tablets if water is cause serious birth defects so the CDC does cloudy). not recommend travel to countries where it is

found for women who are pregnant. If you have Insect Bites concerns over this, please consult with your Insect borne diseases, particularly from doctor. To see countries with Zika, the CDC has mosquitos, such as Zika, Malaria and Dengue this resource. Fever, may be present in countries you are

traveling to. The CDC has recommendations on Malaria bug bites and things to consider if you are Malaria is a serious but preventable disease traveling to a country where any of these are carried by mosquitoes. Be sure to check each present. Discuss malaria prevention with country to see if malaria is present. According your physician. to the CDC, it is recommended that most

travelers take prescription medicine before, There is no vaccine for zika virus or dengue during, and after their trip to prevent malaria. fever, so prevention of insect bites is the best Anti-malaria pills must be started prior to prevention. See the CDC recommendations on arriving in the country with malaria and must be avoiding bug bites for detailed information. taken through the entire duration of the visit to

that country and continued after visiting. The Dengue Fever duration of time before/after the program will Per the CDC, "Dengue fever is the most vary depending on the medication your doctor common cause of fever in travelers returning prescribes. from the Caribbean, Central America, and

South-Central Asia. This disease is spread You should discuss your malaria prevention through the bites of infected mosquitoes and strategy with your doctor, since personal cannot be spread person to person.” travel plans may affect it. When talking with

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your doctor, please discuss the program Yellow Fever location and your personal travel plans. What Yellow fever is a risk in Ghana and possibly you will do about malaria prevention is a other countries that SAS travels to and so the decision you must make with your doctor. CDC recommends this vaccine for all travelers Neither the CIE nor SAS can make this decision to these countries. The government of Ghana for you. If you decide to take anti-malaria requires proof of yellow fever vaccination medication, follow the instructions from your from all travelers. You will need to show proof physician carefully. Remember that malaria is of vaccination to the immigration agent when rarely acquired if you've taken the proper you enter Ghana. precautions. Like malaria, yellow fever is transmitted If you become ill, early treatment is essential. primarily through the bite of infected Consider any flu-like illness in a malarial area to mosquitoes. The majority of persons with yellow be malaria until proven otherwise. fever have no illness to mild illness. However, in severe cases, those with yellow fever may die. Common symptoms of malaria include fever As such, yellow fever vaccine is required for and chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, entry into Ghana. A single dose protects headaches, and dizziness. See a physician against the disease for 10 years or more. promptly! Delay in seeking medical care increases the chances of complications. Per the Please note: At the time of posting (July 2019), CDC, "Malaria symptoms will occur at least 7 to the CDC has announced that there is a 9 days after being bitten by an infected shortage of Yellow Fever Vaccines in the mosquito. Fever in the first week of travel in a United States. There are only a few clinics that malaria-risk area is unlikely to be malaria; have the approved vaccine and can administer however, you should see a doctor right away if vaccinations. Due to this, you may need to you develop a fever during your program. travel to obtain the vaccine. Please see this Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice. website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellow- Malaria infections with Plasmodium falciparum, fever-vaccination-clinics/search to learn more if not promptly treated, may cause kidney and to accurately plan where you can obtain the failure, coma, and death. Despite using the vaccination. Advanced planning is a must, as protective measures outlined above, travelers the vaccine is still required by the Ghanian may still develop malaria up to a year after government. returning from a malarious area. You should see a doctor immediately if you develop a fever To learn more about yellow fever and the anytime during the year following your return vaccination, please visit the CDC website and tell the physician of your travel. http://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/ and discuss with your doctor. To learn more about malaria, please visit the CDC website: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/malaria.

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Healthcare on the Ship disability, functional limitations, and special Medical Services: There is a health clinic on accommodations being requested. Requests board and the medical staff are US licensed are considered on an individual basis. health professionals. It is also important to look at the level of Counseling Resources: SAS has two licensed accessibility in each country in general. To find clinical psychologists who are available for more information on this topic, please see the mental health care and education. U.S. State Department, Local Laws & Special Circumstances section of each country’s page. Medical Supplies/Medications: You can find basic medical supplies or medications in local Safety on the ship pharmacies when you are in port. If there are SAS support services while onboard the World certain medications you need, be sure to bring Odyssey are parallel to what you would find on a supply that will last the entire voyage. a university campus: counseling services, a medical clinic, and the student life office. CISI Insurance on Board If you have an accident or become ill while on Prior to disembarking at every country SAS, you may have to pay the price of the destination, you will attend a pre-port briefing medical service up front. You will then file a onboard the ship with all students. You will be claim through CISI, the insurance provided provided with emergency phone numbers and through the UW System for partial or full information on risks and safety considerations reimbursement in accordance with plan in each country. These are tools for you to coverages. make safe decisions while studying with SAS. General emergency procedures are described Services for Students with in the Study Abroad Handbook and the SAS Disabilities Voyager's Handbook. You will receive an According to SAS’s handbook: “Semester at emergency contact card at orientation with Sea is committed to providing educational helpful phone numbers; be sure to keep it in opportunities for all qualified students, including your wallet at all times. those with disabilities. While the nature of the program and the physical aspects of the Vessel Safety in country provide unique challenges for students with Information on crime, specific safety issues, disabilities, Semester at Sea does its best to road safety, drug penalties, and terrorist activity provide reasonable accommodations given the in the countries you are traveling to is included unique environment of a Vessel and the in the U.S. State Department’s country challenges of varying international destinations. websites. Specific safety in and around each The Vessel is equipped with a limited number of port will be discussed at each country accessible cabins designed to meet the needs orientation while on the ship. Things to keep in of those with physical disabilities. mind at each port:

Students are expected to contact the Semester Pick-Pocketing: Pick-pocketing is common on at Sea home office soon after acceptance into public transportation and at popular tourist sites the program regarding the nature of the

11 throughout the world. To reduce the risk, do not • When hiking, rappelling, or climbing, have your phone or other valuables out in carry a first aid kit and know the location public spaces. An iPhone is a target for pick- of the nearest rescue center. pocketers. If you carry a purse, make sure it is • Observe all local or park regulations and across the body and has zippers. Keep your exercise caution in unfamiliar wallet in a front pocket, not a back pocket. Only surroundings. carry small amounts of cash on you to minimize loss. Using a money belt under your clothing is Emergency Contacts another way to prevent valuables from being General emergency procedures are described stolen. in the Safety Abroad section of the Study Abroad Handbook, and the ship has a staff of Beach Safety: Swimming areas can have personnel who are available for consultation if dangerous rip currents. Most beaches lack difficulties arise. You will receive an emergency lifeguards or warnings of unsafe conditions. contact card at Orientation 2; be sure to keep it U.S. citizens have died in a variety of countries in your wallet. The information is also on the due to these dangers. Check with your hostel or Contact Names & Addresses page of this relevant tour operator to request current guide. information on local swimming and surf conditions. 911 Equivalent While in Country • Do not dive into water of unknown If you are in an emergency situation while in depths. country, and you cannot get ahold of the SAS • Do not swim alone, especially at emergency contacts, you may need to know the isolated beaches. equivalent of 911. This site has a list of • Avoid the consumption of alcohol while emergency numbers to help you learn. swimming. Marijuana and other Illegal Drugs Adventure Sports: Some tour operators take SAS has a zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol. risks, and government regulation and oversight Students are prohibited from bringing alcohol of firms that organize sporting activities may not and drugs onboard the vessel and cannot have always adhere to international standards and souvenir alcohol bottles, even if empty. best practices. Tourists have died abroad while Students cannot return to the vessel under the participating in adventure sports. influence of alcohol either. If a student is • Use caution and common sense if deemed severely intoxicated, they will be sent engaging in ALL adventure sports, and to the health clinic on the ship to wait it out. remember that they are NOT covered by CISI insurance, such as bungee In addition, the countries you stop in may have jumping, sky diving, hiking, rappelling, their own laws around alcohol and drugs. It is climbing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, important to familiarize yourself with these as etc. UWEC and SAS are not liable should you break • Never participate in adventure sports a law. alone. Always carry identification and let others know where you are at all times.

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Clothing & What to Pack/Not Pack REQUIRED Semester at Sea has a great website that talks DOCUMENTS about what to pack! On that site you can find - A packing list Passport information is included in the - What type of voltage the ship has and if Travel Resources section of your Study you’ll need a converter/adaptor Abroad Handbook. - Tips on how you can decorate your

cabin If you are not a U.S. citizen, please contact - Prohibited items the CIE for more information about the - And a lot more! following topics.

Immigration Documents GETTING TO THE A visa is official permission to temporarily reside in another country and is granted by the VESSEL government of that country. SAS will provide There is information on student-oriented you with information on how to go about travel agencies, instructions for booking a arranging for your immigration documents. flight, and other travel information in the Eventually on this page, SAS will add Travel Resources section of your Study information under “Year of Voyage, Voyage Abroad Handbook Prep.” Travel Arrangements It is your responsibility to stay on top of the It is your responsibility to make travel requirements and complete them prior to arrangements to the city where your Voyage departing. departs. You need to arrive one day prior to the departure date and are required to stay ACKING IPS overnight in that city. When buying your P T flight, please carefully review the departure There is general packing information in the and return destinations. You may not be Travel Resources section of your Study flying in and out of the same city. Consult Abroad Handbook, and you will get a your Voyager's handbook provided by SAS for suggested packing list for SAS at more information on arrival and departure Orientation 2. In addition, you should know dates. the following: Buying a Changeable Ticket Weather Note that you may wish to purchase trip or As a moving program, the weather will be ever travel cancellation in case your plans change changing. Again, do your research on the unexpectedly. Trip insurance does not cover locations and time of year you will be there. flight changes if you buy a non-changeable, Other parts of the world have opposite seasons non-refundable ticket. than us so don’t assume you will experience summer during Wisconsin’s summer.

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students receive eight stamps or more, they will SETTLING IN graduate from the Passport Program. SAS offers students a wide variety of activities while at sea. HOUSING Sea Olympics Living Situation The Sea Olympics have been a long-standing During your Voyage, you will stay in a cabin tradition and are the highlight for many aboard the World Odyssey. The cost estimate students. Students have the opportunity to be provided by the CIE reflects the rate for an inside triple cabin. If you wish to upgrade, you on committees and planning teams to execute will be directly billed by SAS for additional the Olympics. charges. Generally, 2-4 students of the same

gender will share one cabin. All cabins are Neptune Day equipped with a private bathroom with a shower Neptune Day takes place when the ship cabinet, single beds, refrigerator, phone, safe, crosses the equator for the first time and hairdryer, closed circuit TV, and wardrobe. involves a bunch of fun activities that are based on old sailor’s traditions. When in port, you will be able to stay in your cabin. You are not forced to find Student Programming Board accommodation in the port city. This is another The board plans different events on the ship, way to help save money. such as, talent shows, open-mic nights, etc. This is a great opportunity for students, who There are laundry facilities on the ship, but you have been on programming boards at their should expect to pay for them. Some students home campus, to gain even more experience. have recommended bringing detergent and hand washing clothing to save money. Extended Families Early in the voyage, you’ll have the opportunity You are responsible for any lodging before/after the program and when in port (if you don’t stay to join a family group where faculty, staff, and on the ship). Lifelong learners “adopt” students to be part of an extended family. You might share meals, plan outings, play games, and build World Odyssey Amenities The ship itself has nine classrooms, each with connections with your fellow voyagers. state-of-the-art technology, a library, a fitness

center, an outdoor pool, outdoor dining Tutoring facilities, and many of the same services you There are many opportunities for students to would find on a normal campus. tutor their peers in certain subject areas.

Meals & Snacks Passport to Leadership There are two dining halls on the World Students who participate in the Passport to Odyssey where you will eat breakfast, lunch, Leadership program are given a “SAS and dinner. Meals are served buffet style much Passport” and when they attend shipboard like the dining halls on the UW-Eau Claire programs, they receive passport stamps. If campus. You are responsible for any between-

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meal snacks. You know your eating habits so Telephone Information budget appropriately. When you are in port, you There are phones in each cabin. These can be will be allowed on the ship to have your meals. used to both make and receive calls. You will This is important to remember in the event you need to purchase a phone card on the ship in are trying to save money order to make outgoing calls.

Internet Access The World Odyssey has a satellite dish that Cell phones It is recommended by Semester at Sea that you allows internet while at sea in most parts of the world. This access is shared with the entire ship contact your cell phone carrier and switch to an and limited compared to what you are used to. international plan prior to leaving. It is also You will need to be flexible and know you may recommended you turn off your cellular data on not have access all the time. There will be your phone to avoid a large data bill. efforts to keep internet free of charge but cannot be guaranteed. Most video streaming Ship Lingo sites will be blocked due to the bandwidth • Aft: back of the ship requirements. Social media sites might also be • Bow or Fore: front of the ship spotty. VPN’s are prohibited. • Port: left hand side of the ship when facing the bow The ship does have intranet which holds files • Starboard: right hand side of the ship when that are on the ship’s servers. You will have facing the bow access to these for course materials. • Muster Station: lifeboat drill meeting place

• It is a ship, not a boat COMMUNICATION • It is a voyage, not a cruise • You will sleep in a cabin, not a room Information on accessing/forwarding your • Shipmates are your fellow voyagers UW-Eau Claire email address and on

computer app-based phone services (SKYPE, What’s App, Facetime, etc) is in TRAVEL WHILE the Contacts & Communication section of your Study Abroad Handbook. ABROAD See additional information in the Travel Time Difference Resources section of your Study Abroad As you travel around, you will cover many time Handbook. zones. To see the current time in a certain country or place: Organized Travel https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ If you don’t have any required Field Classes, when you are in port, you can sign up to do an Snail mail optional excursion through SAS or plan your You should not expect to receive mail while at own travels. SAS usually has a sign up well in sea. Outgoing mail is sent out at each port. advance of when you arrive in port so you can Stamps are typically available at the purser’s get an idea of what is available. desk while in port.

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If the ship is doing more than one port in the same country, SAS may allow you to meet back up with the ship at the new port. SAS will let you know when these options are.

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CONTACT INFORMATION Semester at Sea U.S. Embassies Abroad UW-Eau Claire Main Office Number Searchable by country: During business hours M-F https://www.usembassy.gov After Hours Emergency 8:30am-5:00pm MT (715)577-9045 Phone: 800-854-0195 Phone: 970-491-3500 Remember that in most cases, local contacts are best in local 24-Hour Emergency Number emergency situations. Phone: 412-571-5809 If you have an after-hours emergency that can be helped on the U.S. side, please call University Police at the number above. Calls can be made to this number 24 hours a day. You may get an answering machine; however, an officer is alerted as soon as you have left your message. Be sure to give the officer the phone number you can be reached at, as well as what type of assistance you require.

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WEB RESOURCES FOR SEMESTER AT SEA Homepage: http://www.semesteratsea.org/ Guidebooks: http://www.letsgo.com/ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ http://www.timeout.com/ Journey Women: http://www.journeywoman.com/ Travel tips geared toward women; everything from personal travel stories to what to wear. Customs Information: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html Official government website for U.S. Customs information, including links for air travelers. U.S. Embassies Abroad: https://www.usembassy.gov/

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Updated: July 2019 jmk