The travel bug bit Deb Resling early. As a high school student, Deb received a scholarship to live with a host family in Recife, Brazil. That family has been part of her life ever since, and the experience opened Deb's eyes to the wonders of travel.
She has a willing travel companion in her husband, Rich, a retired police officer who initially stepped aboard a Semester at Sea ship as a conduct officer. "Once we had that first experience, we were hooked," Rich says.
Six voyages later, the Reslings can hardly pick a favorite destination (it's Vietnam, if pressed) because every trip has been special in its own way. One thing that has remained the same, however, is their belief in the program's impact. "I think it's our best hope for the future to have young students travel and get to know different cultures," Deb says.
Deb hasn't forgotten the scholarship that enabled her to have that kind of experience herself.
Over the years, the Reslings have generously supported scholarships for Semester at Sea students. They also included Semester at Sea as a beneficiary in their estate plan, a process they said was simple and easy.
"It was a no-brainer to make a bequest in our trust to provide this opportunity for future students," Rich says. "We've watched students from all backgrounds really change and grow, and we're proud that we're able to assist with that."
This shipboard community is what keeps the Reslings coming back. "SAS is our extended family," Rich says. "It's just a phenomenal program."
Celebrate Our Anniversary With a Planned Gift
Semester at Sea is raising 55 planned gifts in honor of our 55th anniversary. To learn how easy it is to make a bequest gift, please contact Planned Giving Team at giving@isevoyages.org or .