Ann Stuart Pearce celebrated her twentieth birthday on her first voyage with Semester at Sea—an around-the-world trip with stops in China, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Soviet Union, Turkey, Yugoslavia, and many other locales. “I absolutely loved the experience and always wanted to sail again,” Ann Stuart says. Almost three decades later, she finally did.
That second voyage—during which Ann Stuart celebrated her forty-eighth birthday—was equally transformative. Ann Stuart and her wife, Ellen Porter, enjoyed seeing renowned temples, riding a bullet train, and learning from local leaders. But getting to know the students onboard stands out as a highlight. “It was refreshing to see them developing a global perspective,” Ellen says. “I found it uplifting. I have a sense now that the future is in good hands.”
A future-focused mindset is also what inspired Ellen and Ann Stuart to recommend a grant to Semester at Sea from their donor-advised fund. They noted that this giving vehicle offers many benefits. “It’s easy and flexible,” Ellen says. “You don’t have to get a lawyer involved. And it’s advantageous from a tax perspective.”
The couple chose to make an unrestricted gift so their donation can be put to use where it’s most needed. “Keeping Semester at Sea afloat is critical,” Ann Stuart says. “It’s such an impactful program. By bringing together people from many different backgrounds to live and learn about the issues facing the world, opportunities are created to start solving those problems.”
Learn more about easy ways to support life-changing voyages of self-discovery, including options that offer tax advantages. To get started, contact Planned Giving Team at or giving@isevoyages.org.