Stephen Atwell

Methodist University senior Stephen Atwell visited more countries in the span of a few months than many people do in their entire lives. It’s a big reason why you could say the Ireland-born international student participated in a once-in-a-lifetime education experience last semester.

Methodist University senior Stephen Atwell visited more countries in the span of a few months than many people do in their entire lives. It’s a big reason why you could say the Ireland-born international student participated in a once-in-a-lifetime education experience last semester.

Stephen Atwell finds some time to relax on the Semester at Sea ship library
Atwell finds some time to relax in the “Semester at Sea” ship library. Photo courtesy of Stephen Atwell.

Atwell decided to move across the world to Methodist University to pursue a college education in 2019 after receiving a scholarship from the United World College’s International Baccalaureate program. Life-changing moves like this aren’t unusual for MU, as the University has current students from more than 50 countries, is ranked as the most diverse university in North Carolina, and more than 97% of MU students receive financial aid.

Then, after a successful couple of years at MU, Atwell reached a point where he realized there were even more incredible opportunities available to him.

“After some reflection, I decided to take a little bit of a chance and pursue the Semester at Sea program,” he said.

Stephen Atwell and a friend, Natalia from Puerto Rico, enjoy a port sunrise in Mumbai.
Atwell and a friend, Natalia from Puerto Rico, enjoy a port sunrise in Mumbai. Photo courtesy of Stephen Atwell.

Methodist University’s Global Education Office helped Atwell apply for Semester at Sea – a study-abroad program that brings college students from all over the globe to a cruise ship, allowing them to visit multiple countries while undergoing a rigorous educational program, all in the span of a semester.

Once accepted, Atwell credited the Global Education Office for helping him figure out how classes in the program would transfer over to MU. He subsequently joined the cruise ship in Amsterdam in September of 2022 and quickly learned he was in for more than he expected.

“Most people see it as a vacation, and to be honest, I did too at first,” Atwell said. “But you quickly learn that the program is significantly more than that.”

The top of Mount Srđ in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The top of Mount Srđ in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Photo courtesy of Stephen Atwell.

He signed up for four classes in a span of four months, including nutrition, economics, religion, and global studies.

“The professors were incredible,” Atwell added. “My nutrition professor was one of the most experienced people I’ve ever met. He’s worked and performed research all over the world so there were some wild stories. My economics professor was also extremely knowledgeable and I picked up a lot of information.”

As he studied, Atwell also traveled to some fascinating destinations including Portugal, Morocco, Greece, Spain, Kenya, Jordan, India and others – a chance to show off a hobby of his, photography.

“One of my favorite memories was in Mumbai, India,” Atwell said. “I was able to walk around for five hours, taking photographs of the area. The streets were filled with people and buses. It was very interesting.

“Another memory of mine was getting a chance to take a train by myself from Casablanca to Marrakesh in Morocco. I was able to navigate the entire two, three-hour train journey without any help, which was neat.”

Sunset in Split, Croatia.
Sunset in Split, Croatia. Photo courtesy of Stephen Atwell.

Atwell also pointed to all of the friendships he made with people on the cruise ship, helping him pick up a new hobby in backpacking. It’s one of many reasons he felt revitalized after the program ended in December.

“I was lucky. I found a bunch of people I connected with and visited a lot of incredible places. The whole Semester at Sea program was a refreshing experience for me,” Atwell said.

Atwell is now back on Methodist University’s campus and is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Financial Economics this December, ready for whatever challenge comes his way next.

Methodist University currently enrolls about 200 international students from all over the world. Any interested international student in apply to MU, should view our step-by-step application process.