Lauren Johnson - Semester at Sea 2022
Age when abroad: 18
Race/Ethnicity: African American/Black
My name is Lauren Johnson and this past spring I decided to go on Semester at sea as a GAP year student. Just being out of high school, a study abroad program like SAS is a big jump, and it was scary. Going into this voyage I didn't know anyone, and I had just left the states to travel solo for four months. That was terrifying but also equally exciting. I was given this opportunity because of my family and the support they have provided me for years. They were worried about me taking a gap year but I had to show them that this is a once in a lifetime adventure, Over the next four months I had the opportunity to expand my global perspective, become culturally aware and I had the opportunity to safely immerse myself into foreign cultures. Doing a study abroad program will change the way you view yourself, your beliefs and the world. I have always thought that the world was so big and scary but after a semester at sea, It truly doesn't seem so big anymore. I feel comfortable traveling solo and I feel confident in my abilities to make lasting connections with people around the world.
Some travel tips from me:
Don't be afraid of making friends going into your study abroad. I was terrified going across the world not knowing anyone but as long as you're being yourself and you are not faking anything then you will attract the people you belong with.
Don't be afraid to put yourself out there! For most of my life I liked to call myself an introvert but as I grew up and I grew into myself I became more of an introverted extrovert. When you do programs like semester at sea you always want to put your best foot forward and be the most outgoing. I realised that you can "put yourself out there" on your own terms. I had the opportunity on board to host an event called WoridX and also creating my own youtube channel helped me put myself out there.
Listen to locals and don’t be the "loud Americans." Often when you travel abroad you hear the term "loud Americans" and as a woman of color I already stand out in these predominantly white European countries. The best way to immerse yourself into a culture and have the most enriching experience is to not always talk about yourself when you visit a foreign country and don't compare things to the states. I will always suggest talking to locals whether it be a taxi driver, someone at the local market or even a tour guide. Ask them their story and you may be shocked to hear some of the things they have to say.
Travel on your schedule and make yourself a priority. When you travel with new people it can be easy to fall into someone else's groove and do the things they want if they have a strong personality. In one of my first countries we visited I didn't enjoy the first day too much with the group I was with. So instead I decided to make my own plan. I made a list of all of the things I wanted to see and do in that country. I didn't have anyone to go with and the next morning at breakfast I talked with new people and I even found a travel buddy for the day. I was able to make my own schedule and find someone that was also interested in the same activities and we had a great day together.
If you want to, you can! Social media portrays study abroad programs as something only privileged people can do if they have money. That's not true, there are scholarships and donors that are made to help the underrepresented communities get out and see the world. I had a handful of friends on the ship who were on Semester at sea with a full scholarship. They had help from their home universities and some of the semester at sea scholarships they provided. Sometimes we have to look a little harder to get the support we need but if it is your dream I definitely suggest doing it because we only have one life to live and we should live it to the fullest.