Being chased by pirates isn't normally part of any college's curriculum.

But for Bermudians Khamani Fox, 19 and Rochelle Minors, 20, it was just was one of many adventures to be had while on the Semester at Sea programme.

The programme is offered by Institute of Shipboard Learning (ISL) and during a single college semester, students visit approximately 12 countries. They also take classes on the voyage and earn college credits and one of their courses is Global Studies where they learn about the politics and culture of the different countries they are visiting.

"It was the best experience ever," said Miss Minors. "I wish I could get back on the ship and do it again."

The programme took place aboard the MV Explorer, originally built as an island-hopping cruise ship. It has basic cruise ship facilities like a spa, basketball court and a small pool, but its true advantage is speed.

Miss Fox and Miss Minors, both Bermuda College students, saw the benefit of this while refueling in Singapore, an area with high pirate activity.

"When we refueled in Singapore we had to have a Police escort out," said Miss Fox. "There were boats circling us. We usually do 14 knots, but this day we did about 30 knots out of the harbour. We weren't really scared, but it was still exciting."

The ship can take up to 800 passengers, but because of the recession there were only around 500. "We weren't at full capacity at all," said Miss Minors.

The voyage started in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, then went on to Spain, Morrocco, Ghana, Egypt, Singapore and Japan, among other places.

"I was seasick every time we left port," said Miss Fox. "My grandfather, Albert Fox Sr., use to own Blackhorse Tavern in St. David's. I use to go out on the boat with him, but never did we encounter 30ft swells and water splashing on the windows."

But she said it was all worth it, if only for all the shoes she collected. "I love shoes," said Miss Fox. "Every time we were in port we would pick a day to go shopping. I bought 27 pairs of shoes from Spain to Japan."

Miss Minors added: "The school part was hardest for us. We would come back from a long day of sight-seeing and have to study.

"When we went to Hawaii, we left and then came back because of a storm. So we were on the beach studying for finals. How do you do that?"

Miss Fox said she would highly recommend the programme to other Bermudians.

"It is a great opportunity for anyone," she said. "I have had a few parents approach me about their kids going on it. It is expensive, but it is worth it. And if you visited all those countries on your own it would probably cost you triple.

"We came back changed from our hair and clothing to our view of the world. We had friends from around the world.

"I think some of my friends on the ship will be the closest friends I will ever have. Because you live with them. You get to know people at a different level than people on the island."

To raise money to go on the To raise money to go on the Semester at Sea, Miss Fox and Miss Minors held a fashion show that raised $10,000. They also appealed to their family for help, and received scholarships from ISL.

"So it is not out of reach," said Miss Fox.

The girls were inspired to join the programme after hearing a former Bermudian Semester at Sea Student, Vanessa Bean, give a talk at the Bermuda College.

"We were sold after we heard her talk," said Miss Minors. "I went home and told my mother I was going."

Miss Bean, who did the programme in 2007, has made it her own personal mission to get more Bermudians involved. "I am in the process of creating a scholarship," said Miss Bean.

The programme can total $40,000 when all costs are factored in and Miss Bean said she is currently looking for community assistance with the scholarship.

"I think it is really important that Bermudians in particular have the opportunity to be exposed to somewhere other than this Island," she said. "A lot of our community problems would be solved if we really got a chance to be exposed to other cultures different from ours.

"If more of us got the opportunity we would be better people."

Miss Bean started out at the Bermuda College, but is now in her third year at Savannah College of Art & Design.

"I have always had a passion for people and culture," she said. "The Semester at Sea helped to bring that right out in me, being able to see so many cultures in a short period of time. I feel like I am connected to each one in some way."

For more information go to the Semester at Sea website at www.semesteratsea.org. ISL also offers a programme for life-long-learners who are beyond college-age.