07/09/07 — At the ripe, young age of 80, Miriam Bowman saw a voyage around the world as an opportunity to grow within a community of learners. She has just returned from one of her greatest adventures yet.
And the three-month Semester at Sea was even better than she had imagined. Bowman, a Meadville resident, was aboard a magnificent ship, the MV Explorer, which was equipped as a floating university. Built in 2002, it’s a 24,000-ton passenger ship that includes classrooms, study areas, a library, two dining rooms, a student union, a health clinic and various fitness facilities.
Add about 700 students from various colleges, two Allegheny professors and one retired Allegheny professor and you have a one-of-a-kind university.
The journey started at Nassau in the Bahamas and continued to sail to Brazil, South Africa, India, Malaysia, China and several other countries.
“I just loved the beauty of being at sea,” said Bowman. “It’s fantastic and gorgeous. You have all and more than you need and there were so many great people.”
Even the renowned Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu joined the ship’s crew for the entire journey. Tutu, winner of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize, served as distinguished lecturer-in-residence in courses including anthropology, history, religion and political science. He also presented a series of lectures while onboard between Brazil and South Africa.
“He’s a very upbeat and positive person,” Bowman said. “You were preparing yourself to be a good ambassador on the ship and for your country. There was so much to learn. It just got better and better as it went along.”
A 1949 Allegheny College graduate and long-time Meadville resident, Bowman not only took advantage of the opportunity to expand her knowledge, but also developed rewarding friendships with those in her classes.
“As a lifelong learner, I was free to take as many classes as I could fit into my day,” she said. “I developed an adoptive family. I got close to a group that’s hard to part with.”
Bowman especially enjoyed a course about perspectives on peace. She is a member of Women in Black, an international peace network formed in 1988 that uses silent vigils to protest war, injustice, militarism and other forms of violence.
“It was a really good course,” she said. “It showed different ways to look at conflicts and how to find a resolution. I learned a lot.”
It was an experience that Bowman won’t soon forget. In fact, she’s even considering a second voyage in a few years.
“I wish everyone could have this experience,” she said. “I was so fortunate to be able to take the time. It’s just great.
YOU CAN GO
”Miriam Bowman is sharing her Semester at Sea experience at the Unitarian Church in Meadville on Aug. 12 at 10:30 a.m.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about the program, visit www.semesterat-sea.com.
WHAT IS SEMESTER AT SEA?
Semester at Sea is a shipboard program that enriches the lives of thousands of young people by providing a globe-circling adventure in international education. The program began in 1963 and was first known as the University of the Seven Seas and World Campus Afloat before becoming known as Semester at Sea in 1977.
The University of Pittsburgh recently ended a 24-year sponsorship of Semester at Sea after concerns of safety and ship operations. In the summer 2005 voyage, a 50-foot wave hit the ship while it was carrying hundreds of college students across the Pacific. A window was broken, causing damage and leaving the ship to run on only one engine. Three crew members were injured when the wave broke through the windows.
Beginning with the summer 2006 session, the University of Virginia serves as the academic sponsor of the program.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Woman returns from voyage around the world
- Local News
-
-
Local legislators: Corbett budget off to a good start
Elected officials representing Crawford County in Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives are gearing up for what looks like a lengthy budget process.
-
Crawford Central's Heller says new budget plan hobbles school districts
Area educators haven’t had a lot of time to mull over the implications of the budget proposal presented Tuesday to a joint meeting of Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
-
District Judge Chisholm nears record for ‘longest serving’
Magisterial District Judge William Chisholm is in line to set a new record by becoming Crawford County’s longest-serving magistrate.
-
Traveling breast cancer exhibit to make local stop
The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition is bringing its traveling photo exhibit, “67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania,” to Crawford County March 1 through 10.
-
Judge Chisholm’s memories run deep
Looking back over his 26 years as a district magisterial judge, Judge William Chisholm has many memories of special events — even some humorous ones.
-
Fire guts historic Vernon Township building
“Another landmark gone,” Sandy Porter of the Crawford County Historical Society said as he looked across the street at the large red-brick building gutted by fire early Sunday just outside Meadville’s city limits.
-
No snow? Road crews have plenty to keep them busy
Patching potholes, clearing ditches and readying equipment for spring projects: Those are a few of the ways area crews have been keeping busy in recent days as Mother Nature’s decidedly spring-like behavior has caused road departments to start switching gears.
-
News analysis: Romney proves he's tough and adaptable
Mitt Romney’s resounding win in the Florida GOP primary last week is a warning shot to any Democrats who think the former Massachusetts governor will be a soft target.
-
Winter Fun Days: The snow, or show, must go on!
Matt Lidey didn’t get to do the kind of riding he was hoping for Saturday, but he still kept pretty mobile.
-
Completion of $6.8M expansion marks C&J's 50th year
With its 50th year in business under way — and business continuing to boom — a local high-tech tooling and plastic parts manufacturer appears at the ready for an even higher-tech future.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Local legislators: Corbett budget off to a good start
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
