By Tytianna Wells
Some University of Louisville students are taking full advantage of study abroad opportunities such as, the Semester at Sea program, which is sponsored by the Institute for Shipboard Education through the University of Pittsburgh.
The program will set sail with more than 600 students on board. Students who attend the MV-Explorer University are able to choose, either a 100-day, full-semester voyage that circles the globe, or a 65-day regional program.
Keeley Copridge, a senior psychology major who will be on board this Fall semester, discovered the program after watching the MTV Real World/Road Rules, Semester at Sea episode.
“I thought to myself, if they can do it, I want to do it,”said Copridge. “I want to do something I’ve never done before.”
For students who are willing to study abroad, “The Semester at Sea program will be the ultimate study abroad experience,”said Copridge who added she has high expectations for the program.
As a non-traditional university, the courses that are provided examine globally conscious issues on the environment, population, foreign policy relationships and economics.
Jacie Rowe, a junior political science major and Pan African Studies minor, will also attend the program this Fall.
“It will give me a better understanding of middle eastern politics and international law,” said Rowe.
The core of his studies will focus on leadership in international politics.
Copridge will focus on the political conventions of women roles in cultural and religious settings.
“I’ve read books that describe the experiences that women go through, in the countries we will visit,” said Copridge. “This will be an amazing experience.”
This is the first time Copridge and Rowe will travel abroad, and they plan to visit ten countries.
Rowe said. “I am really nervous because of the stereotypes that many countries put on Black Americans.”
Both, Copridge and Rowe believe that this experience will enhance their two and a half year relationship.
“I want us to have a deeper relationship and hopefully this will show whether we will get married or not,” said Rowe.
Moreover, this experience will impact their roles as organizational leaders on campus.
One of the main reasons students do not take advantage of this program is the lack of knowledge of financial assistance.
The cost of the program is $23,000, but students can apply for local and national scholarships, as well as federal grants through financial aid.
“We thought we would have to rely on loans to fund the program, but little did we know, we wouldn’t have to,” said Copridge.
Both students received several scholarships, financial aid and grants that financed the program.
“It’s extremely important to get involved in programs like this because we are in a very diverse society and this will help us understand those diversities,” said Copridge.
