A young woman, who will brave four continents in four months, asserts the importance of being open minded to the world around us.

"Here in Bermuda we have many cultures. I want other Bermudian students to explore the programme so that we as a culture can learn to adapt and understand where our foreign neighbours come from and learn to appreciate them at the same time," said 21-year-old Vanessa Bean.

"Bermudians need to understand where foreigners are from, why they are here and what contribution they make to the Island, whether it be financially or more importantly socially.

"I personally can't imagine being in a Bermuda with all Bermudians, there has to be a balance," she added.

Miss Bean, an aspiring interior designer, has just taken off on a journey aboard a 24,000 ton passenger cruise ship; a floating university programme, known as Semester at Sea, equipped with classrooms, study areas, a library and cafeteria. Through Semester at Sea, Miss Bean will have the chance to visit countries such as Mexico, Hawaii, Japan, China, Vietnam, India, Egypt, Turkey, Croatia and Spain, in a 100-day period, all while getting university credits in courses like Sociology or Political Science.

When she sat down with The Royal Gazette she was excited about the journey ahead of her, but more importantly, wanted other young Bermudians to experience what the world had to offer as well.

Though there is a lot of financial assistance for students going into the business arena, Miss Bean found it difficult to get funding for the costly, $20,000 to $30,000 education programme, seeing that it is non-traditional and only lasts for part of the year. After all her scholarship options fell through, Miss Bean was forced to apply for a student loan and would like to eventually set up a scholarship fund for others interested in the programme.

"There has been an increased interest in students that want to be exchange students so I definitely will be interested in just telling people about what I am doing," she said.

"I want to inspire others to know that there's more to life than Bermuda, more to lives than themsleves and to realise that any dream they have can be fulfilled," she said.

Miss Bean, a recent graduate from Bermuda College's Art and Design programme, has joined close to 700 students for the Semester at Sea programme. Time at sea will be spent doing regular classwork, but a majority of time at the ports can be used for travel and field activities, like visiting the Great Wall of China or the Pyramids in Egypt.

"We will be able to interact with other university students while in port to get a feel for their lives and culture in the university setting.

"I think it is a must for Bermudian students and adults alike to be able to experience cultures, other than their own, so they can learn to appreciate how fortunate we are as a society and also to be able to expand and cultivate their minds."

When asked what she is looking forward to most about the programme, she explained: "I enjoy cultures, that's my passion for going. I am also an up and coming interior designer and I would like to see design, art and architechture from all over the world. This is my first step to achieving this goal."

"I am most excited about going to see the pyramids. I have heard so much about Egypt since I was young, and I am excited to see the complex structures in front of me, face to face."

When asked why she hopes to be an interior designer, she said: "I enjoy art work and spaces, but I also enjoy helping people. I believe interior design helps people to live because if your space is not organised or fit to your personality then it's amazing how it can badly effect the way you live."

Miss Bean found out about the programme while on Rotary Exchange in Venezuela and by coincidence met some students from a cruise ship, when they explained the programme to her and she knew that it would be her next step after college.

"When I found out about the programme I was emotionally attatched to the idea of learning about other cultures, the people, the lifestyle, everything," she said. "I just enjoy people and seeing how others who are less fortunate are so happy and to see how they survive. I have everything and to see others who don't just amazes me."

According to Miss Bean, these experiences will continue to give her a sense of empathy and compassion for others.

Though there will certainly be challenges throughout the programme, Miss Bean is confident she can overcome them.

The 21-year-old admitted she is particularly looking forward to making new friends, and creating close bonds with people on the cruise. "I am confident that the experience with Semester at Sea will be a great asset in my life and in my career," she said.

Anyone interested in finding out more information about the Semester at Sea programme can check out www.semesteratsea.com, or those interested in helping Miss Bean find funding for the programme can contact her at vb_blue@hotmail.com.