A new study abroad program beginning on May 1, 2025, will feature a cruise through Central America. The cruise will include four port stops and six different countries, and a trip through one of the many wonders of the modern world, the Panama Canal. Students will learn about its historical significance and global economics
The cruise begins in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, following a route to Cartagena, Columbia, then sailing through the Panama Canal to Costa Rica. Students will then stop in Guatemala before arriving at the last port in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The cruise will conclude in Los Angeles, California.
One of the sponsors, Nathan Shank, associate Professor of English, said “I love this particular cruise because it allows us to see a lot of different cultures in a pretty short amount of time… For those who are taking the Spanish course, they’ll get to see different Spanish cultures and dialects.”
This study abroad program also allows students to earn credit for a spring, summer or fall semester. Classes available on this trip include Composition II, Cross-Cultural Perspectives and honors courses.
Another sponsor, Tina Ware, Professor of Spanish, “We met with the registrar and made it so that students can earn credit in the spring, fall or the summer,” Ware said. “They can also earn one credit in Spanish on the cruise, but in the spring or fall they can earn credit in advanced Spanish”.
Traveling to different countries can produce risks. Due to this, one of Shank’s main pushes for this cruise was the safety factor.
“It is also safe, which is something we were concerned about when planning this trip. The cruise takes care of all of those worries, making sure the excursions are safe. We think it will be nice for parents to not have to worry about their kids as they travel abroad,” Shank said.
On board the ship, there will be plenty of activities to keep the students busy. Cooking, dance classes and trivia contents will be offered, as well as movies, musicals and other entertainment.
“Something especially neat about this cruise is that students will touch down in North America, Central America, and South America, and they will cruise through two oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, and the Caribbean Sea,” Ware said. “And they will have a lot of time on the ship to enjoy the activities provided onboard. Students will enjoy the opportunity to experience a variety of Latin American cultures in a relatively short period of time.”
While in each country, students will also have the opportunity to take on different excursions to explore the countries. Encounters with Discovery at SEA™ selects experienced travelers to share their experiences with passengers so they may gain a deeper understanding of the cultures they encounter.
“Nobody knows an area like an experienced traveler. Get the inside story from an Encounters destination expert who’ll share a perspective acquired from years of exploring the region. You’ll gain historical context, tips on seeking out local cuisine, and recommendations on the best way to experience top tourist sites,” according to Princess Cruise Lines.
Altogether, the trip will cost $3,300. This price includes airfare, excursions and port stops, entertainment on the ship, all meals on board and additional course credit cost.
For more information, contact Nathan Shank or Tina Ware: Nathan.shank@oc.edu Tina.ware@oc.edu
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