Semester at Sea has a special way of nestling a semester's worth of experiences in your heart, mind, and soul and never leaving. The first time I saw the ship from the freeway in San Diego to the last time I glanced back at the ship in Amsterdam, the feelings of immense gratitude and happiness flood my everything.
I was the Resident Director for the Baltic Sea. Our sea color was blue. We had 98 students in our community on Deck 4, port side. We had students from all over the world: Sudan, South Africa, Nepal, United States, Mexico, China, and so many more. Our community was diverse in experiences, background, language, and thought.
My favorite part of sailing was slow mornings where I would sleep in, workout, have lunch, and check emails. I appreciated time outside and will never forget the cool breeze that came off of the water on the back of Deck 7. I basked in the sun and snagged a few naps in lounge chairs and leaned over the railing for almost every sunset.
Our student life team was great. Complete with 9 people who are very different but each of our uniqueness brought a new perspective and lens to situations. Our Dean of Students has worked in Student Affairs for 30 years and spent most of his career directing programs that support low income, non traditional, and minority students. Our Assistant Dean of Students is the Director of Housing at the University of San Diego and was a great "steady" sounding board. Not much rattled him and he came alive about halfway through the voyage. His personality understood my jokes and we got along great.
I was the Resident Director for the Baltic Sea. Our sea color was blue. We had 98 students in our community on Deck 4, port side. We had students from all over the world: Sudan, South Africa, Nepal, United States, Mexico, China, and so many more. Our community was diverse in experiences, background, language, and thought.
My favorite part of sailing was slow mornings where I would sleep in, workout, have lunch, and check emails. I appreciated time outside and will never forget the cool breeze that came off of the water on the back of Deck 7. I basked in the sun and snagged a few naps in lounge chairs and leaned over the railing for almost every sunset.
Our student life team was great. Complete with 9 people who are very different but each of our uniqueness brought a new perspective and lens to situations. Our Dean of Students has worked in Student Affairs for 30 years and spent most of his career directing programs that support low income, non traditional, and minority students. Our Assistant Dean of Students is the Director of Housing at the University of San Diego and was a great "steady" sounding board. Not much rattled him and he came alive about halfway through the voyage. His personality understood my jokes and we got along great.
Dean of Students
Oscar Felix, PhD
Asst Dean of Students
Tyler Crisman, PhD
Resident Directors
Remy Ball
Gabe Barela
Christian Chavez
Kinsey Holloway
Oli Munoz, PhD
Kayla Smith
My favorite student life team moments are jumping pictures outside of the ship in Mauritius and Morocco, canceling meetings for cabin parties and a Mexican Fiesta, spending all night in the Fritz, and creating inside jokes with people's names and students' craziness.
Thank you, Semester at Sea + Staculty + Student Life Team, for 4 months of bliss, laughter, adventure, and love.
I'll be back!
XOXO Kayla
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