We have returned to a vastly changed world. The jet lag was real, and we’ve stayed healthy for 14 days post-travel. More than anytime on the voyage, we are adapting to a new way of life. Grateful to be with my family and to know my dad and the rest of our family are doing well, I miss the safe cocoon of the ship, and I miss our fellow voyagers. As I described in a thank you note to ISE staff, the voyage still feels like something of an enigma that will take time to process. In spite of it all, I believe the Spring 20 Semester at Sea voyage was a huge success. Through adversity and crisis, our shipboard community gained a level of meaningful engagement in the global community and global understanding that wouldn’t have been possible on a typical voyage.  We were able to bond and grow through the challenges, always knowing we were safe and in good hands. As is evident on so many social media posts, students, staculty, lifelong learners and family companions will wear the experience of this voyage as a badge of honor.

My mom and I are so incredibly grateful and proud to have been a part of it all. We were challenged to find joy in the process, independent of the destination, and strive to be our best selves when things were hard. We each developed new relationships that will last a lifetime, and our connection with one another is so much deeper. Everything we do from this point forward will be changed because of this amazing experience. In both SAS and South African tradition, “I am what I am because of who we all are.” Ubuntu.