Good Life May Term in Maine

After finishing my freshman year of college, I felt very stuck. I was questioning my decision about the college I had picked, not doing a gap year, and many other personal things. Deciding to drop the summer classes I had planned on taking and instead doing Seguinland's May Term Program turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. The connections that I made, the self-discovery and self-reflection that I had, and the pure amount of joy in a relatively short program was incredible.

In May 2023, I felt grateful to be welcomed into Seguinland's program as a less-traditional college student and at present I continue to feel gratitude for all the positive ripple effects upon my life and career since. I felt thoroughly supported both while preparing for and engaging in the May Term, but also had the freedom and space to process the program's content and experiences on my own. The beautiful campus was a perfect setting for reading and reflection, and during classes big discussions and intense workshops on life's important questions were handled with care, curiosity, and real depth. The responsive and co-created nature of Seguin's programming makes it difficult to describe to a prospective student, since instruction is somewhat adapted to the needs of each cohort - but be assured that it is a safe and worthy space to explore your wonderings, values and goals at any point in your journey.

In May 2023, I felt grateful to be welcomed into Seguinland's program as a less-traditional college student and at present I continue to feel gratitude for all the positive ripple effects upon my life and career since. I felt thoroughly supported both while preparing for and engaging in the May Term, but also had the freedom and space to process the program's content and experiences on my own. The beautiful campus was a perfect setting for reading and reflection, and during classes big discussions and intense workshops on life's important questions were handled with care, curiosity, and real depth. The responsive and co-created nature of Seguin's programming makes it difficult to describe to a prospective student, since instruction is somewhat adapted to the needs of each cohort - but be assured that it is a safe and worthy space to explore your wonderings, values and goals at any point in your journey.

May Term 2024 thoughtfully packs all of the best of Maine in the Spring and Seguinland magic into 3 weeks full of art, swimming, creativity, cooking, and friendship. Projects and assignments were mostly in groups and open-ended, focusing on the process not just the final result, which was so refreshing coming from my first year of traditional college courses. Creativity was emphasized instead of feeling burned out or limited by a rubric, for example, through a storytelling event with the local community. We took impactful and amazing day trips to visit local artist events in and around cozy Bath, Maine.

As I now have completed 2 programs (May 2024/Fall 2022) I could not recommend Seguinland enough! I truly left with forever friendships a deeper understanding of myself and a connection to my creative side.

At Sequinland I was able to participate in such a wide variety of new experiences and explore different perspectives. I had the space to reflect on what I was experiencing and learning. At the end of the day there is always our amazing community to lean back on. I found such a support system from my fellow students and the staff are so kind and genuine with me. Seguinland is a well rounded experience meant for personal growth and building a community. When I was there I felt like I found my people and learned so much about myself along the way.

I did Seguinland May Term at the end of my gap year between high school and college. It was a perfect way to end the year in that it surrounded me with peers (which I mostly hadn’t been throughout the year) before transitioning back to college and being around peers again. Phillip, Marsha, and the other facilitators did a fantastic job of making the group feel like we were united over something meaningful. I think for a group of teenagers that’s really important in establishing a certain kind of environment. I thought deeply, produced meaningful writing and art, and had rewarding personal and creative time. I also helped cooked group dinners, and made one friend I really will stay friends with. The facilitators established enough structure for it to feel deeply purposeful without leaving us feeling infantilized or “bossed around.” If you’re considering this, and want to meet a group of curious people and have an experience that feels truly MARKED and separate (from the rest of your life) do it, do it, do it!

My third time being a part of this wondrous community, and I am still as grateful, if not more, for the experiences and connections made. Words cannot encapsulate the feeling of being surrounded by the most grounded community each day. Our day trips to places like Portland and Waterville truly expanded my conception of street art and what it means to be part of a community. Likewise, all of our experiences at local farms introduced me to the world of sustainable agriculture & how food supports its communities. Though these are only a handful of my takeaways, my gratitude is never ending for all the staff who always turn out becoming family at the end of the day.

So appreciative of Philip, Elin, Matt, and Ida, Marsha, and Katie who constructed such a profound and elating experience. During the May term I experienced the utmost love and kindness from the May term alum and staff.

I’ve never valued food, community, and learning more like I did during the program. There were so many opportunities to stretch my thinking about the external world as well as my internal world.

Getting to experience Seguinland not one, not twice, but three times has completely changed me and a thank you will never be enough. Thank you Seguinland staff, the love I have for Seguinland goes beyond these words.

-M