I had never paid much attention to my country’s flag until May 14, 2007.

My ship, the MV Explorer, pulled into San Diego Harbor, her horns blaring. The crew hoisted up the flag of the United States of America as Ray Charles’ America The Beautiful played over the speakers. That was to be my last day as a Semester at Sea student and my first glimpse of the American mainland in almost four months. I had never felt more devastated, or more alive.

In honor of this week’s #FriFotos theme, Flags, I present to you some of the flags I saw during my truly life-changing journey.

Peace, love, and study abroad.

Fort San Felipe del Morro, Puerto Rico

Welcome Reception at Puerto Rico's Universidad del Corazon Sagrado

"Ordem e Progresso"

Lone flag flies at South Africa's Robben Island

All of the flags of our trip on our Semester at Sea t-shirt

Flags greet visitors of the Thai Buddist Temple in Penang, Malaysia

China, the Red Country

Home, (bitter)sweet home

Dedicated to my SAS Spring 2007 Family.

#FriFotos is a Twitter event founded by @EpsteinTravels. Search the hashtag every Friday to see photography from around the world illustrating the theme of the week.

To see my past #FriFotos submissions, click here!