The Good Life Gap Semester in Maine

Take it!! Wonderful experience enjoyed the outdoors, great literature and engaged is some great thought and discussion. Prof. Francis is an excellent professor, approachable and easy to talk to and offers amazing insight around the subjects taught within the day. As a city kid, I never imagined myself walking through the woods and mud and enjoying it. Made me truly appreciate the outdoors and introduced me to subjects that I never thought of exploring before.

Highly recommend for people who grew up in cities.

This trip in Maine will always hold a special place in my heart. It was an opportunity to take a step back from our daily routines and learn to be more simplistic. Philip Francis and the Seguinland Institute team are truly a phenomenal group of people who share and teach valuable lessons through lectures and hands on activities. Appreciating nature’s beauty, surrounding yourself in a positive atmosphere, and expanding your mind are just a few of the many things that make this experience so special.

The trip as a whole was nothing short of incredible. The course dives deep into the core values of what it means to truly live deliberately and how to get the most out of the one life we have. The staff is made up of some the most soulful people you'll ever meet who gear their time towards helping and teaching those around them. I would reccomend to anyone looking to do something a little different, and to get away from daily distractions, especially if you're coming from a large city background.

I've always had a love for nature and the outdoors. This was my first time visiting Maine and I fell in love with its beauty. The property itself is vast and gorgeous. Philip Francis was an amazing professor and it felt like everything we did was well thought out and tied directly back into what we were learning. I felt like I could really open up and be candid with emotions and what the class brought up for me because my classmates and teachers were all so supportive. It's been 4 years since my trip to Maine and I still talk about this class all the time because I found it so impactful.

As a student who grew up in the hustle and bustle of New York City, it was great to get away and learn in the natural beauty of Maine.

Each day was filled with great readings, hands on experiences, and thoughtful conversations that helped me open my eyes to what it means to live a good life.

I know that all sounds kind of vague, but part of the course is learning to participate instead of anticipate! You are in incredibly good hands with the Francis family and their friends and you will certainly feel very welcomed throughout your stay.

By the end of my time in the course, I definitely learned how to live the good life and how to continue living that good life back in my city home. I also walked away with many life long friends and incredible memories! So if you’re considering taking this course, do it, you won’t regret it.

The time I had, and the people I met during this course, I will not soon forget. The life experience and kindness of everyone involved in the Good Life course is inspiring. If you want to read philosophy next to the ocean, do yoga on a platform in the trees, and learn from amazing people, you should look no further. This course was always exciting and always provided new experiences. It gave me the chance to get away for a moment and think about what it means to have a "good life". The course provided me with experiences to draw from to help me build a good life for myself.

Through UMaine Farmington, I spent a week before the semester started in Georgetown, ME with 11 other students. We were introduced to different ideas, themes, and readings about the good life. We also focused on the importance of connecting with nature, whether it be walking barefoot or kayaking. In a place as beautiful as Georgetown, it was easy to pause and reflect at any given moment or connect with the environment around us. Unlike other courses I've taken, this program has shown me the importance of an open mind, provided meaningful information, and has given me a new mindset on various aspects of my life. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to take this course, as it is clear it has proven to be life-changing.

The Good Life program with Professor Francis and his staff was one of the most impactful and memorable experiences I have ever participated in. The location and accommodations are breathtaking; the program promotes new ways of thinking and seeing the world; the staff are brilliant, supportive, positive and fun individuals; And you’ll make new friends and participate in fun, educational and engaging experiences! I wish I could go back every year! If you are someone who enjoys the outdoors, loves the water, looks forward to new experiences, enjoys intellectually stimulating conversations and would appreciate spending time in beautiful Maine, this is the program for you!