Pre-work for Semester at Sea

Let me start by saying that there is SO much work to do before you leave. I hope this helps future SAS'ers in getting ready for their voyage(s). Semester at Sea sends their participants a 30 page packet describing what to do before you leave. It can be intimidating but if you take it one step at a time, it is not bad. Here is sort of a "timeline" as to what the SAS process is like in general...

Beginning "Getting Ready": 

The application process.
Acceptance.
Paying the deposit.
Applying for scholarships


The long horrific waiting period: 

Depending on how far in advance you apply, this time range varies.
For me, I applied in March for the Spring 2013 voyage. I received the huge packet at the end of August, so my waiting took what seemed like forever.

The rush to get things done:

Once I had the necessary information, I had to act quick because many of these things have to be done within a few months of the voyage.

1) Visas.

For my trip, I had three to fill out. You first fill out a main form for a company that will process them (Travisa).  Then you must take your time and fill out each country's Visas and double checking all of the information as you go along. This processes takes many hours, and when you finish it feels so good. Then you print all of the forms out (some country's want 4 copies... idk why) and gather them together with your passport, passport size photos and other forms SAS asks you to send with it for overnight shipping.
I am currently waiting for the documents to arrive at their office and to be processed so I will know soon what else needs to be done.

Mine will be $562.00 for three of them, they have yo pay for the Visa shipping too (included in the 562)

2) Medical forms.

This means seeing a normal doctor for a physical and then a travel doctor to get a yellow fever vaccine which is not covered by insurance so it'll cost 200 dollars. blah

All of this has to be done by November.

3) Paying the Bill. (Due in October)

23,750 total.

4) Flights and hotel bookings.

All of these things take a good chunk of time and money, but if you stay patient and take tings day by day, everything should go smoothly and work out in the end.

I hope this helps a bit, I will post more when I have more things to do.