Alumni Interviews

We sat down with some of our alumni to learn more about their experiences during their voyage aboard The Scholar Ship. Here's what they had to say...

Ricky Alexander
California, USA

How did The Scholar Ship change your views of the world?

The Scholar Ship changed my views of the world dramatically. Through immersion in a multitude of cultures around the world as well as on the ship, I came to better understand and appreciate the diverse ways in which culturally unique populations perceive the world. I also gained a new awareness about the individual variation that exists even within a culture and how stereotyping and biases perpetuate systemic social injustice in our world. In addition, learning about new cultural landscapes first-hand allowed me to grapple with my own identity and the preconceptions inherent to my background and experiences. Living with people from over forty countries and visiting four continents around the globe allowed me to reflect deeply upon my core values and begin to discern a global ethic by which I wish to live my life.

What was your favorite part of the program?

While it was the integration of all of the program's elements that made it such a wonderful experience, my favorite part of the journey was making the social climate created onboard the ship. It allowed me to be my full self, share some of the happiest moments of my life, and make best friends whom I will cherish forever. The environment created onboard is unlike any other I have ever experienced before. I loved all the student events and just hanging out with the amazing people I met. I truly have memories and treasured friendships that will last a lifetime.

How do you think The Scholar Ship has prepared you for your future career?

The Scholar Ship has prepared me for a future career by instilling in me the leadership ability and intercultural communication skills needed to succeed in a world shaped by our diversity. It taught me to embrace and celebrate difference; moreover, I learned that our personal and cultural differences can and should be used as unique strengths and not as divisive wedges. In order to succeed in the private sector, the political arena, the non-profit world, or most any other career in the 21st century, an ability to harness the creative power of cultural diversity is imperative.

How do you describe The Scholar Ship to people who ask about your experience?

I describe The Scholar Ship as an opportunity of a lifetime. I tell people that The Scholar Ship absolutely transformed my life in so many ways. The program empowered me to discover the best in myself and others. I was inspired to follow my passions, through travel, activism, service, and personal growth. I would not be the same person were it not for the impact of the The Scholar Ship on my life. I walked off the ship on the last day with lifelong friendships, an empowering ethic of justice, and a new sense of self that has already allowed me to realize personal goals that were simply unattainable before this experience.

John Qiang
Shanghai, China

How did The Scholar Ship change your views of the world?

The Scholar Ship bonded the eastern and western culture together chicly in a flawless way which gave me the amazing access to have a close observation and comparison of the difference and similarity between the different cultures. The experience made me surprisingly find there are so many wonderful universal similarities presented in different styles and meanwhile my culture is right inside there in its own unique style.

What was your favorite part of the program?

Well, it's easy. My favorite part of the program is independent travel. I cannot forget bunch of once-in-a-life-time awesome independent travels I've made in different continents. And I also love the academic programs in New Zealand which presented me lots of valuable business experiences and practices in various business industries.

How do you think The Scholar Ship has prepared you for your future career?

It did strengthen and enhance my ability and make me a strong candidate in diverse aspects for application of graduate school in the US and also some world-leading consulting companies in China. Different skill sets I reaped include interpersonal skills, acute business sense, adaptation to different cultural contexts and so forth are drive for continuous improvement.

How do you describe The Scholar Ship to people who ask about your experience?

It's a pity that you were not with us. It's just so powerful.

Maria Luiza Carvalho
Curitiba, Brazil

How did The Scholar Ship change your views of the world?

The Scholar Ship really changed my view of the world because I actually got to know the world by visiting so many countries and experiencing different cultures. I learned that the world is even bigger and more diverse than I ever imagined.

What was your favorite part of the program?

As much as I loved the traveling and the classes, I have to say that my favorite part of the program was actually living on a ship and creating such a diverse community. It is the only program that allows you to get to know many different cultures at the same time and making friends all over the world.

How do you think The Scholar Ship has prepared you for your future career?

Above all, The Scholar Ship has helped develop my sense of understanding of different people and different cultures.  And this is an ability that you cannot acquire elsewhere.

How do you describe The Scholar Ship to people who ask about your experience?

I describe The Scholar Ship like a "UN ship" that travels around the world.

Caitlin Bell
Sydney, Australia

How did The Scholar Ship change your views of the world?

The Scholar Ship encouraged me to look beyond my own backyard and to see old issues from new perspectives. The programme inspired me and every day that I was onboard it filled me with a desire to create real and lasting change in my community. However, The Scholar Ship didn't stop there, it also provided me with the skills and networks to ensure that I can actually effectively create change in my community and beyond.

What was your favorite part of the program?

The friends that I made. By having my understanding challenged by people from a range of cultures I was able to develop as a true international citizen. My friends inspired me, helped me to see new perspectives and always encouraged me to experience new things. Without the amazing people that I met, I would not have grown half as much as I did.

How do you think The Scholar Ship has prepared you for your future career?

I have developed a unique set of skills in the area of international negoatiation and have developed true intercultural competence which will set me apart from other new graduates when I apply for jobs later this year.

How do you describe The Scholar Ship to people who ask about your experience?

An adventure at sea (and on land) for inquisitive minds!

Nicole Van Huyssteen
Capetown, South Africa

How did The Scholar Ship change your views of the world?

Having the opportunity to interact with students and staff from more than 30 countries meant that I was exposed to a melting-pot of cultures and personalities on a daily basis. I learned as much from my fellow students and friends as I did from the academic classes. Likewise, I was able to share experiences of my own country and experiences with others that didn't know much about South Africa or its history.

What was your favorite part of the program?

Traveling to exotic and interesting places around the globe with friends that will last a lifetime!

How do you think The Scholar Ship has prepared you for your future career?

As a student of the International Relations post-grad program, the opportunity to interact with people from around the globe prepared me for a career in the world of foreign relations and international organizations, where cultural sensitivity and international experience is invaluable.

How do you describe The Scholar Ship to people who ask about your experience?

The most amazing experience of my life by far!

Malin Lehnbom
Oxelösund, Sweden 

How did The Scholar Ship change your views of the world?

The Scholar Ship took us around the world and we found ourselves in places and situations that we had never been in before. This created a feeling of humility and respect and I think that it encouraged us to try to look beyond the surface of things and understand what they really meant. In turn, this leads to the development of an open mind and respect towards other cultures and ways of living. 

What was your favorite part of the program?

Second to meeting all the amazing people on the ship and in ports, the thing I loved the most about TSS was the constant feeling of advancement. I felt like I was always moving forward both mentally and physically. The ship took us to all these unforgettable places where we saw new things and met interesting people. At the same time academic studies and social interaction took me further in my personal development as I constantly learned more about other people and cultures, as well as learned more about myself. 

How do you think The Scholar Ship has prepared you for your future career?

TSS has given me not only theoretical knowledge and academic skills, but also a flexibility and an open mind towards people. It has also lead me to appreciate and encourage diversity in a way that I think will prove to be very useful in whatever career path I may end up on.

How do you describe The Scholar Ship to people who ask about your experience?

I simply say that I spent last semester studying on a ship that sailed around the world. When they look all confused I tell them about the greatest experience of my life. Living on a ship, sailing the big seas and meeting people from different corners of the world was not only fulfilling on both a personal and professional level, it was also the most fun experience I have ever had!