Another Day at Sea

As the third night onboard the MV Explorer comes upon us all I can hope is that Cabin Fever doesn’t set in too early. Not to say I want more coursework or anything—it’s just that there is only so much you can do throughout the day. Napping and eating shouldn’t be considered major activities on the itinerary. Yet, while at sea, classes, meals, the gym and a nap or too seems to take up a decent amount of time. Of course there are a few people who are brave enough to nap outside in their bathing suits, soaking in the sun on the 7th deck.

Yesterday was a flashback to freshman orientation. We had a strict schedule chock full of meaningless meetings. There were meetings on the Honor Code and plagiarism, and the Library and how to use your laptop on board. We even went over how to cite materials. As if 20+ year old college kids don’t know. (And if you don’t know how to cite properly at this point, I’m extremely disappointed in you.) But my favorite part of this whole process is that we went over the cheating policy, etc. in full detail and we signed a form MONTHS ago, saying we understood these policies. If I already signed something saying I understood, why go over it again? What, after hearing it from you do you think I’ll stand up and shout, “Oh wait, I’d like to retract my form!”? It’s preposterous. You wouldn’t be allowed onboard without all the forms filled out.

Well, today was the first day of classes. I had Global Studies—the most confusing class and boring class I’ve ever taken…but it’s a requirement, so I guess I can put up with it. Basically it covers each port we’re going to on the itinerary so we have a general idea of what to expect and a decent foundation and respect for the country. Or at least, that’s what it’s supposed to be. Today at 9:15, “The Voice” as we call it (or the guy who comes over the PA system throughout the ship) announced that Global Studies was starting in 5 minutes. By 9:20 the entire ship was up and packed into crevices around the 6th deck. The fortunate few sit in the Union, where the actual professor (or guest lecturer) is speaking. The rest of the ship sits in satellite classrooms throughout the ship where a live video feed is displayed on the television. Kristen and I try to get to the Union early and find a seat (if I sit in a satellite room I’m afraid I won’t pay ANY attention). Today we started with the theme of the whole voyage: Migration. We were talking about the Out of Africa Theory and evolution/natural selection…which all made sense to me and was a related topic to the theme. But my professor lost me when he started talking about photosynthesis and energy. I’m still not quite sure how it all related, or how he made the transition. But the next thing I know we’re discussing how plants consume calories and how I should thank a plant everyday for not only the oxygen I need to survive, but the energy I have. Thinking about it now…I’m still at a loss for an explanation.

Moving on, I had an art history class called Sacred Sites. Basically it covers all the great historical and spiritual places in the countries we’ll be traveling to. The fieldwork for that class basically consists of trips to museums, gardens, mosques, cathedrals, etc. My professor really has a HUGE background in traveling—he’s lived all over the US plus places like Australia (Tasmania). He was giving us the 411 of all the places he and his wife had gone to and it really was miraculous. Then I had an English class, Studies in Poetry. The class seems good, but I feel like my professor has a hard time relating our travels to the material, so I’m not quite sure how we, as students, are supposed to. But I guess I’ll figure it all out as time goes on. And don’t worry Mom and Dad—I’ve already got plenty of reading assignments and papers due for the next class.

Tomorrow I have Global Studies again—it’s a daily class—and my biology class, Nutrition around the World. My professor is the Dean of Students onboard…which tells me he’s probably going to be a real stickler. It’s also laundry day for me (deck 4, port side). Laundry runs on a strict schedule here. If you miss laundry day, then you’re shit out of luck and have to wash your clothes in the sink. I know I’ll come to appreciate laundry day, but looking at the schedule I’m slightly taken aback. Apparently laundry, like everything else on this ship, closes down during times at port. Which means that for the month of March my laundry will be done twice—March 2 and March 28! And sadly enough, I did NOT bring 26 days worth of clothes with me. Not that I should complain, I mean someone is washing my clothes, right?

Let me say to any future Semester at Sea travelers:

1) Running on the treadmill when at sea is not as easy as it seems. Rocky seas=rocky ship=no walking in straight walking.

2) Steal fruit and rolls from the cafeteria. Living on a strict time schedule for food is not fun.

“The internet brings the world to your desk. Semester at Sea brings your desk to the world.”

~Orientation, Semester at Sea, Spring 09