when i tell people what i'll be doing, i get all sorts of questions. here are the most common:
http://www.semesteratsea.com/:
q: when did the program begin?
a: the first institute for shipboard education (est. 1976) s@s voyage was in 1977.
q: how many students will be on board?
a: approximately 700
q: where do you go?
a: see the "ports of call" sidebar
q: do you have to share a room?
a: faculty and staff don't, unless they're traveling with a partner. students do.
q: do they pay you?
a: yes. my position, assistant librarian, receives a modest salary and stipend that totals $2,900. other benefits include, room and board, emergency health care, and no cooking, cleaning or doing your own laundry.
q: will you have internet access?
a: there is satellite internet access, but it is unreliable, because the signal is often blocked.
q: what is the tuition for students?
a: $17,000
about me:
q: how did you find out about it?
a: i had made it known that i was interested in some type of international librarian position (temporary or permanent), and a colleague, anne barnhart, told me about the s@s program. she's brilliant in many ways.
q: was your job supportive?
a: not originally, but after we sat down and discussed why I wanted to do it (it's a mental health issue), why they should grant me leave for two quarters (because i deserve it), and how my work would get done (loving and supportive colleagues), they granted me personal leave without pay, "reluctantly".
q: are you coming back?
a: reluctantly!
q: do you get seasick?
a: not yet. i spent a week on a 52 foot sail boat and had no episodes of sea sickness, even during high winds and waves, sailing rail to water. however, that doesn't guarantee that I won't ever.
q: what books are you taking to read? (not common, but my favorite)
a: see the "travel reading" sidebar
If you have other questions, post them as comments, and I'll try and answer them.
