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FEBRUARY 10, 200S - Page 10 FEATURES Wave rocks students spending the Semester at Sea continued from page 1 [Meghan] was describing the gather in common areas, and "Andrea was very ma- "seas as 'tremendously putting their life vests on," ture and upbeat. She had sur- Ambra said. they made their way through rocky!'? so much so that stu- Steve Ambra said. "She de- vived," Claudia Bock,mother "ISE reassured us that air- the North Pacific en route to dents were not allowed to go scribed how everyone slid of Andrea Bock, said via e- planes were shadowing the Pusan, Korea out on deck," Steve Ambra, from side to side of the ship mail after speaking with her ship, the Coast Guard was, On January 26, the ship father of Meghan Ambra, as it rolled with the waves ..." sending ships and that the ship reported that it had experi- said via e-mail. "By the 21st Despite the adverse daughter. "The mood was was not in any imminent dan- enced a "temporary loss of en- she told us that seas were so conditions, there were only generally good [onboard the ger." ship]." gine control that has been since rocky that her '60 lb. minor injuries aboard the From the college's per- restored." At that time, a post- rughtstand flipped over and "... Meghan remains spective, the students are in ing on the website was estab- slid all the way down to the positive and is looking for- very good hands. lished in order to keep family cabin door." "[Meghan] said you ward to continuing the voy- "Semester atSea has been and friends informed as to the As the waves became can't truly have an age,"SteveAmbrasaid. "She in business for a long time," ship's current situation. more intense, students were appreciation of the is hoping that they will still Rose Falkner, Director of the When the weather condi- told to stay off of the deck forces of nature be able to include Japan on Study Abroad Program, said. tions became severe enough to and to wear life jackets. untiJ you are in the the itinerary." "They have the situation under As of Saturday, 'the stu- warrant a change in course, the As a precautionary dents were still awaiting the control." ship was approximately 800 measure, the Coast Guard middle of the ocean, completion of an assessment The parents echo miles from the nearest port of sent eircrafts to monitor the at night, with 50 of the ship's conditions. Falkn~r's trust in the ISE. cell, located at Midway Island. ship and had other ships foot waves," Inspections revealed "I am most impressed Consulting with the Coast ready in preparation for res- with this program," Claudia Guard, however, the captain cue. Luckily, none of those -Steve Arnbra, . that the vessel is structurally Bock said. "This was not an- decided to steer toward Hono- measures were put to use. sound, but electrical tests still ticipated; however, it was an act needed to be administered. lulu, Hawaii, where the MY' Although the ship itself (Meghan Ambra's of God. The crew and program Explorer arrived on January 31, lost communication for the father). In the meantime, the have handled the whole situa- five days after initially report- majority of the storm, tech- students were "forced" to tion with dignity, professional- spend time in Honolulu. ing problems. nology enabled parents to ship. The main concern for ism and concern." The Semester at Sea ves- stay in touch with their chil- jhe program was the mental The concerned parents It is still very early in the sel, the MY Explorer, is a state- dren. health of the students, and greatly appreciated the ef- Semester at Sea voyage, and yet of-the-art behemoth weighing "Meg han was able to counselors were brought forts of the Institute for Ship- the program has already made board Education (ISE) in in'at 24,000 tons and measuringv call us via a satellite phone onboard in Honolulu to deal keeping them up-to-date. good on its CEO's claim. 590 feet in length. and, before the connection with that issue. "While we were clearly "[Meghan] said you can't The ship is taking 680 stu- was lost, told us about the 50 Andrea and Meghan truly have an appreciation of dents on a journey to various foot waves hitting the ship, have both maintained posi- concerned, worried and on- the forces of- nature until you edge, we welcomed the rSE countries around the world, all all of the students being tive attitudes throughout e-mails and felt that ISE was are in the middle of the ocean, while providing an array of moved out of their cabins to their experience. keeping us informed," Steve at night, with 50 foot waves," education opportunities for Steve Ambra said. "She said them onboard the ship. that there is incredible bonding The voyage, which began of students, faculty and staff on January 18, was a difficult For a current update on the MV Explorer, visit: and that as a 'voyage of discov- one from the start. www.semesteratsea.com/voyages/spring2005 / index.html ery this is has been a true ad- "As early as the 19th, venture!' She says she has lots of stories to share." Scion XB Pure Value Scion's "Pure Price" purchase experience P U R E VA L U E • means Nohaggle. Nohassle. Vehicle starts well equipped. Youcan accessorize lor notI. Simple, straightforward nienu pricing. Price startingat xB $14.195* ;r 5,070 16 Standard features include: _ 160-watt Pioneer CD stereo with six speakers, including two tweeters and Scion Sound Processing / MP3 capable and XM satellite ready / Air conditioner / Choice of three wheel cover designs / Anti-lock brakes / Power windows, door locks. and outside mirrors / 5-year, 60,OOO-mitePowertrain warranty'