Voyage of Rediscovery

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Jeffrey (Jeff) Jones. Jeff attended Indiana University and is from Pittsburgh, PA. Jeff will speak about religion, his own faith, and the lens through which he sees the world. He also reminisces with Alex on some of their shared experiences during the trip. Hop on board everyone, the ship is leaving. +++ About the Voyage of Rediscovery Voyage of Redis...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Justin Connors. Justin attended Ithaca College, and originally hails from South Salem, NY. During our whirlwind conversation, Justin tells of some of the assumptions he made back in 1998, and how his perspectives have since shifted. This includes destinations that he thought he might’ve returned to sooner---an example of how quickly time passes. He al...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Mark Tavani. Mark attended the University of Pittsburgh, and hails from Philadelphia, PA. Mark shares how earlier generations of his family emigrated to the United States from Italy. This birthright shaped his voyage, and he shares the significance of the Abruzzo region to his clan as well as  his experience in Fall 1998. Hop on board everyone, the sh...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Jessica Berman. Back in 1998, we knew her as Jessica Cohen, and she was a student at the University of Michigan. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, we’ll hear how Jessica’s childhood influenced her decision to go on Semester at Sea, how a strokeof serendipity made the experience a little more special, and how she’s applied her global experience in 1998 to...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Jennifer Ja Birchim. Back in 1998, we knew her as Jenn Ja, and she was a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Originally from Hillsborough, CA, Jenn tells us how Semester at Sea gave her a newfound sense of freedom and a chance to create her own identity. She also highlights a commitment she made to herself in Fall 1998 that she mai...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Catherine (Cat) Wilson. Cat attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and grew up on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. In our conversation, Cat shares of her travels before Semester at Sea, and how her ability to speak French turned things around for her in one particular port. Also, do you know what holiday falls on November 10? Find...

This is a special Voyage of Rediscovery bonus episode featuring Meiken and Jeremy Greenamyre. Surprise!  The married couple’s love story actually started when  they met on the Fall 1998 voyage of Semester at Sea! In our conversation, we hear about how they met—was it scandalous?—and what they’ve been up to together over the past 25 years. Hop on board everyone, the ship is leaving. (Oh, and meet m...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Meiken Greenamyre.  Back in 1998, we knew her as Meiken Mulder, and she was a student at Arizona State University. Originally from Edina, MN, Meiken shares how her experience on Semester at Sea still helps her relate to people today—particularly those from overseas. Meiken also touches on which ports of call influenced her the most, and marvels at how...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Michael (Mike) Rubinstein.  Mike attended Bucknell University and was born and raised in Chappaqua, New York. For Mike, Semester at Sea was a way to escape his college campus in central Pennsylvania. The experience was also a real chance to challenge himself and his comfort level at the time. Mike shares a story about an overnight stay in India—one th...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Cricket Myers. Cricket attended Colorado College, and originally hails from Clarkson, Michigan. During our conversation, she tells us about how local theater and storytelling influences her and shapes her professional life. She also tells us about how a little a dragon fruit made her cry. Hop on board everyone, the ship is leaving. +++ About the Voyag...

This special update features Alexander Kotler, host of the Voyage of Rediscovery. Approximately one month into our virtual journey, Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls the Gaza Strip, launched an incursion into Israeli territory. Israel retaliated with airstrikes. The situation, as of now, continues to develop. Alex’s update addresses the conflict, providing background on the Voyage of Redi...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Richard (Rick) Smolen.  Rick attended Penn State University, and is originally from the Yardley, Pennsylvania area, just outside of Philadelphia. A successful sales leader, Rick shares how selling ads eventually led him to Semester at Sea. He also tells us about his time in Vietnam, and the tastiest, most satisfying gelato he's ever had. Hop on bo...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Jeremy Greenamyre. Jeremy attended Kansas State University, and originally hails from Leavenworth, KS. Jeremy tells us about the experiences he had when he traveled with a close-knit friend group during Fall 1998. Jeremy also gives us insights into how—even then—he had an appreciation for intentionality, particularly knowing how precious time can be....

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Tara Hohenberger. Tara attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, and her hometown is Bohemia, New York. Tara has always had  a strong desire to go out and see the world, and she’s been seeing it ever since her voyage on Semester at Sea. She speaks with us from Mexico City, where she now calls home, and tells us of the country that really stole her...

This episode of Voyage of Rediscovery features Hamilton Souther. Hamilton attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, and grew up in Los Gatos, CA. An anthropology major and an astute observer of the human condition, Hamilton shares his impressions of life in Japan, and—as he puts it—how he made a huge cultural mistake in India. Hop on board everyone, the ship is leaving. +++ About the Voyage of...

Voyage of Rediscovery commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Fall 1998 journey of Semester at Sea, an educational program operated by The Institute for Shipboard Education that takes students to more than 10 countries via ship. Hosted by Alexander Kotler, a participant on the 1998 trip, Voyage of Rediscovery looks back at the experience and explores how those 100 days on Semester at Sea impacted...