The Good Life Gap Semester in Maine

My time at Seguinland Institute was truly an inspiring, colorful, mind opening, wonder encouraging experience packed to the brim with love and laughter. My gap semester spent here was so vital to my journey of figuring out who I am, where my passions lie, and who I want to be. We did so many wonderful things like hikes, camping, day trips to close by towns, visiting beaches, had insightful conversations, nights in the cookhouse, and so much more. I made the best friends in the world and never felt more at home. If I could go back and relive this experience I would in a heartbeat.

I am so happy that I chose Seguinland for the start of my gap year. I think the most important thing was what I learned from the fantastic group of students that I became friends with, but I am so grateful for so much else. The academic/ class side of the program was such a great switch from how high school felt to me and I feel that the discussions we had were really valuable. I thought about new and interesting things, really had to write poems and gained more confidence with pursuing my creative passions. I learned so much and I feel like it has helped me to feel better about moving forward with what I might do in the near future. It is so beautiful, you spend so much time in nature. I loved every walk to and from class or dinner and my house each each day. It is a good next step to becoming an independent adult, but still not any kind of leap.

Seguinland was unlike anything I have ever experienced before, in all of the best ways. The people are absolutely wonderful— some of the most genuine, caring, and kind people I’ve come across. They gave me so much hope and excitement for life. It is clear the staff put immense thought and intention into every aspect of the program. Every day is different, from trips to the beach to cooking together to stargazing and so much more. It's impossible to not feel truly alive while you're there. I could not recommend it more.

Seguinland is truly a unique, once in a lifetime experience. The people here are so generous and they truly make you feel like family. I feel that I have made friends to last a very long time. Seguinland is set on a large and beautiful plot of coastal Maine. There is no better time for reflection while being supported by the team and getting college credits. You live in the cutest cottages and go to discussions in the treehouse most days (starting with yoga 3 times per week) with a lot of free time in the afternoon. You might even get to use the sauna(my personal favorite)! Otherwise this down time is used for class readings, journaling, or hanging out with people in cottages. The two hiking trips are so beautiful and the camping trip quite exhausting as it is rewarding as you sing and row up the river.
This program was a good experience for my first gap semester. However, it was slightly different from what I was personally looking for in my year. It did feel a little too inactive at times, left with too much down time. I would recommend bringing your favorite game. It is also has a significant academic focus, so know that the credits offered are worth taking.
What really makes this program so special is the people. Philip and the crew are so welcoming and nice and the students that come here are just as friendly and fun.

This was an amazing experience I was given the ability to meet new people and grow as an individual. The way the classes and living is set allows for you to connect with everyone there on a deeply personal level. The staff is incredibly supportive and were always going above and beyond to provide each student with the best experience they could. I highly recommend this program to anyone who has a love for the out doors or has a desire to learn in a way that differs from traditional forms of schooling.

I attended the good life gap semester in fall of 2022 and it was an incredible experience. I made amazing friends and our little community was so loving and connected. We had very interested and engaging classes that allowed for creativity and exploitation beyond a typical classroom setting, and we went on endless adventures that I will never forget. All of the staff were so caring and it really felt like a family together in beautiful maine. I carried many passions away from my semester, including a love of mushrooms, indigenous studies and activism, and poetry. I would be 100% recommend the good life semester for any type of gap student, we had a very diverse group and everyone benefited and loved it.

My time at Seguinland was incredible. The staff is amazing and so supportive in every aspect of the experience. They created a very accepting and nonjudgmental environment that made me feel excited to participate, share my ideas, and step outside of my comfort zone. I made great friends, and living, traveling, cooking, eating, and creating together every day created a deep sense of community. Being constantly surrounded by nature was one of my favorite parts of the experience. I loved exploring outside every day, but being immersed in the natural environment while reading, writing, and making art also helped me rediscover my love for learning. Mindfulness practice and the way the staff ran the courses helped me be more intentional and focus on process rather than product. I am going back to Seguinland for the winter term, and I can't wait! It has been a truly life-changing experience.

Seguinland Institute is a magical place. A strong, tight-knit community comes to life and thrives. There is a level of vulnerability, unlike any I have witnessed, and there is no shying away from deep conversations. The faculty is engaged and truly shows that they care about every student. The days look drastically different, but there is a strong underlying stability. These are people you can rely on. A vibrant landscape is the backdrop for powerful conversations and the starts invite many warm laughs. Everyone is accepting and inclusive, if you are willing to bring your full self, everyone is welcome, especially as we share a warm and delicious meal. A group motivated by shared values, rather than interests is rare, yet that is exactly what this is. An escape from the distractions of life, where you can learn from others and reveal to yourself what you need to live a good life.