The Scholar Ship - January 2008

January 2008

On January 2, 2008, the Scholar Ship’s 16-week second voyage around the world began in the city of Hong Kong.

Shanghai, China: The Scholar Ship first headed north to the port of Shanghai, China. Fog delayed the ship’s entry two days. In the five days that remained, Academic Field Programs took students to locations that included the campus of Fudan University (an academic steward institution of the Scholar Ship), Shanghai Museum, the site of the first Communist Congress and Mao Zedong's former residence, and local businesses such as Coca-Cola and China Eastern Airlines.

Bangkok, Thailand: The Scholar Ship left Shanghai and made way into the South China Sea, docking in Bangkok, Thailand on January 23. Academic Field Programs brought students to Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, the Grand Palace and Reclining Buddha Temple, and Chiang Rai, where they visited Baan Had Bay, a Tai Lue Ethnic Village on the Mekong River.

Chennai, India: Continuing south, sailing the Straits of Singapore and the Bay of Bengal, the Scholar Ship called on the port of Chennai, India. It arrived at the city, formerly known as Madras, on February 5. Academic Field Programs in India took students from the Scholar Ship to lectures at the University of Madras, local businesses in Bangalore, a school in Kanchipuram for children rescued from sweatshops, and to Firefly, a sustainable spiritual commune a few hours outside of Chennai.

Equator Crossing & Port Victoria, Seychelles: The Scholar Ship celebrated an equatorial crossing on February 16 and headed on to a brief, mid-voyage break in Port Victoria, Seychelles, one of the smallest capitals in the world.

Cape Town, South Africa: The Scholar Ship arrived in Cape Town February 27. Students explored South Africa’s role in regional and international affairs and got an overview of the changes in the socio economic ‘make up’ of the area. Also, the Scholar Ship Research Institute and University of Cape Town hosted an international workshop entitled: “Confronting the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Policy Responses in South Africa and India”, February 28–29. Many students also participated in a service project which was co-hosted with the Wynberg Rotaract club.

Cape Verde Islands & Barcelona Spain: The next scheduled port stop for the Scholar Ship is the Cape Verde Islands, part of Western Africa, for a brief break. It is then on to Barcelona, Spain, March 21, where students will study Barcelona’s waterfront restoration, company management and the economic environment in Spain, as well as Spanish history and art.

Istanbul, Turkey: Crossing the Mediterranean Sea, the Scholar Ship arrived in Istanbul, Turkey on April 1. Academic Field Programs were slated to highlight Turkish history and the economy.

Lisbon, Portugal: The Scholar Ship journeyed back across the Mediterranean to arrive in Lisbon, Portugal on April 15. This was the last port stop of the semester with Academic Field Programs.

Amsterdam, Netherlands: The final port on the Scholar Ship’s January 2008 voyage itinerary.