Semester at Sea is a study abroad opportunity that takes students around the globe in one semester or throughout the summer. Sign-ups for the Semester at Sea summer 2010 voyage are beginning with the March 12 deadline quickly approaching.

This summer there is a Semester at Sea voyage taking place from June 15 through Aug. 21. This 66 day voyage brings students to eight different countries including: Nova Scotia, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and then returns to Virginia in the U.S.

Current Semester at Sea participant and UT student, Toree Walker is on the Spring 2010 voyage and has already made it to her first port in Hawaii.

"Already the experience has been unbelievable and I still have yet to make it out of the country," Walker said. She will be arriving in Japan at her second port in Yokohama on Feb. 9.

While on the ship, transferable credits are available for many different universities. There are also many scholarships available for students wanting to join the program and those eligible may apply financial aid to the cost of the voyage.

A typical Semester at Sea program offers extensive coursework with field assignments in up to 12 different countries throughout a single voyage.