The Tall Ship Semester for Girls is an experiential education program that combines academic work with real world experience. The semester is broken into three distinct yet integrated phases. The first six weeks are classroom based and take place at SF State University. Students work with TSSG staff and are introduced to the academic courses they will take while preparing for the voyage. The next six weeks are aboard a traditionally rigged tall ship. During this time, students learn to sail the vessel, visit foreign ports and continue their academic work. The voyage culminates with the students sailing the boat to their final destination. The final six weeks are spent completing projects in a classroom setting at SF State and in a boatbuilding apprenticeship at the San Francisco National Maritime Historic Park..