Update!! For end of August

Hey everyone!

 

Sorry I haven't updated since I've been on the ship. I'm on my 3rd day of classes right now. I like all my classes so far. But the 8 AMs are already getting to me with the constant time changes. We've been through 2 time zones since we've set sail and we are going through another tonight!! So let's just say I've been drinking lots of coffee because the going to bed earlier part isn't working to well with all the amazing people I've been meeting.

 

I kind of forget what I wrote in my last blog so heres the shortened story from the start. I boarded the 26th for work study and had orientation that day & went on the town that night with some new friends. the next morning all the other student boarded the ship. Starting around 8 AM - boarding was finished around 2 or 3 that day.

 

We set sail on Aug 27th around 5 pm and it was one of the most overwhelming things that's ever happened to me! I couldn't believe it was really happening! A group of us went up to the 7th deck towards the front of the ship (I still can't remember the ship terms yet!) and waved goodbye to all the parents lined up at the pier to see us off. Everyone was screaming once the horns sounded and I couldn't help but cry! We were officially on our way to Spain!

 

On the 28th we had orientation all day which was VERY BORING! We were up at 8 AM for lectures and then after lunch I couldn't take it anymore and went to nap in my cabin with the lectures on the TV in my cabin. When I woke up Desmond Tutu was giving a speech and being introduced to the students. He's so animated and nice! I actually ran into him the day I boarded when he was waiting for the elevator. Which was very cool! And he even comes and eats meals with his wife Leah and they pick random students to sit and chat with.. maybe I'll be that lucky!

 

The 29th (Sun) classes started - yes we have classes on sunday! while we are at sea we have classes about everyday (with the occasional reading day) I'm taking International Business, Spanish and Intercultural Communication. On A days I take Spanish and Global Studies (a class everyone has to take) and on B days I take Intercultural Comm & Int. Business.

 

Other then my classes I've just been hanging out with new friends and having a good time & relaxing. But there is a lot of work for my classes since we'll be interrupted by the countries. We'll be arriving to Spain on Sat Sept 4th. I'm going to Granada with a group of people to see the Alhambra. Can't wait!

 

Oh and email me at HLCOOPER@semesteratsea.net if you want to talk. I can't check my comments on here. Hope to hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and had orientation

thursday 8/26 - Halifax

Most of the girls in the hostel room (6 of us total) were work study – which means we board a day early – woke up and started getting everything together around 9. People just started piling up in the lobby to check out and book a cab to the ship. Even though it was walking distance to the hostel it was sooo hard to carry your luggage around.

                Getting to the security check-in made me realize – THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING! It finally hit me. I can’t believe I’m sitting here now and typing this out. There are about 70 work study students and 60 Life Long Learners who boarded the 26^th. So it was a very easy & quick process.

                That day we had orientation and a quick meet up with our bosses to see where I jobs where and what to expect. I’m going to be working at the IT Helpdesk and my boss seems really chill and nice so it should be a good time! Our first job is to help all the other students board on embarkation day (about 600 more of us!!)

                For the remainder of the day in Halifax a group of us did some food shopping and such. And met up with Shelley who I love already. That night after dinner we headed out to meet up with Shelley and went to a brewery called Alexander Keiths for a few drinks and ran into some funny people. There was a bachelor party going on (the groom was trying to get ever girl in the bar to kiss him) and a few other SASers hanging around. After a brewery we headed to an irish pub called the Still Crow. We ran into a group of older people and they recommended it to us. It was also a lot of fun but very crowded. The group of us ended up finding a room downstairs and hung out there and chatted nonstop until we headed back to the ship! J

On the way back Chris, Shelley & I took our time walking and ended up going to visit another girl for a quick drink who just got in to Halifax. Around 12 was when we made the short walk to the ship and I passed out. Now im up (set my alarm clock to the wrong time. And its 540 haha im already showered and ready to go. Lamee but it’ll be a good day I’m meeting a bunch of people for breakfast and then we are heading to help people board!! :D yayyy we sail out today too!

8/25/10 - Arriving in Halifax

I arrived in Halifax on the 25^th (2 days ago) I met up with a girl named Ariel. And right away we clicked – chatting about SAS nonstop till our flight. At the airport we met a very nice couple named Tom & Linda. They are from mass as well and are on the Parents Committee. They aren’t going on Semester At Sea but are helping out with the parents reception and embarkation process. 

                The flight was only an hour long (but we were in the air port for so long!) we arrive around 11 AM and Tom & Linda helped us out a ton and gave us a ride right to our airport! – Already meeting amazing people!!

                Ariel and I did some exploring the first day in Halifax and that night was a huge meet & greet at the Argyl Bar & Grill. It was such a good time and everyone was so nice. It was fun meeting everyone and putting names to the face of people you’ve been chatting to about the trip for so long!! Around 12 am people started heading out to a club called The Dome. It is sooo so fun! If you go to Halifax you have to go. It’s a bunch of different clubs in one and it’s like never ending! Haha I forget what time I headed back to the hostel at but I was probably around like 3ish.

9 days!

Only 9 days until I'm on my way to Halifax! I had my going away party and it was so much fun!! I had a blast with all my family & friends - thanks everyone for coming!!

And thanks to all my family for the cards & gifts! I really appreciate everything! My grandma got me a beautiful necklace (i probably shouldn't wear it in most countries so it'll be staying on the ship). My aunt Debbie gave a cute little panda beanie baby to bring around the world. :P & I got a nice journal & photo album from my cousin that I'll fill with memories. My neighbors also got my a journal so I'll be writing a lot! But I'm sure I can full them! haha

TRIPS
I heard back about my SAS trips. I got both i signed up for!! I'll be doing a township homestay in South Africa & a Dalit overnight trip in India. We'll be seeing how the caste system is still a big part in India even though it is illegal and spending a night in one of the villages of the "untouchables". I'm so excited for these tours!

I've also done some planning of my own. One thing I put together is an overnight camel trek in Morocco with a group of SASers! Also I put together a wine tasting trip in South Africa which should be a lot of fun! & I'm figuring out what to do in Spain right now. I'm going to Granada but the group of us is putting the final details together before we book. :)

Oh man! I went to walgreens and stocked up on toiletries/meds/school supplies and such because it was the tax free weekend and let me tell you that was a project!

I'll post more later!!