EARL’S WORLD-4
I am pleased to learn there is a Rotary connection with the Semester at Sea program. In 1926 the rotary clubs of Southern California started this educational activity by working with Chapman College to send students around the world studying the culture of other countries for purposes of peace and understanding. That is the mission of the Rotary Foundation today. The program continued until 1963 when the Univ.of Colorado
assumed responsibility for the curriculum and academic credit. They were followed by the University of Pittsburg who sponsored it for 17 years. The University of Virginia now provides the academic part of the voyage. All of the students participate in some service projects during their semester such Habitat for Humanity or tutoring school children.
All classes are while the ship is at sea. In port, and there are eleven, they take a variety of
field trip near and far, with their professors getting hands on and visual experiences as part of their education.