Why did you choose this program?
After 2 semesters at a college not meant for me, I was exhausted, overwhelmed, burnt out and felt broken. I wanted time and space to figure out what I wanted to do with life. I knew I wanted an experience that would count towards my college credits as I wasn’t ready to fully step away, and I knew I couldn’t deal with traditional academia. Seguinland was a perfect fit.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The program came fully organized for us. We had a daily schedule with set free times during the day. Breakfast and lunch were on our own, and dinner we all cooked together. Groceries were provided. Readings were given as books or printed handouts. All activities were pre arranged or planned for. Weekends were when we had more free time, and they provided some structure but generally left us to our own devices with optional group activities.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Let go of all your expectations! Each day takes you somewhere new, and you should learn to lean into the uncertainty. If you are more comfortable with structure, learn to embrace the chaos. If you prefer flexibility, learn to appreciate the routine moments in the days and weeks you are there. Seguinland is a time for discovering yourself and you must embrace discomfort.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
Mornings included breakfast in your own cottage, followed by an hour of mindfulness/yoga (which were different every day). After that was about 2 hours of the morning activity, usually talking as a group about the assigned reading (10-30 pages). Then an hour for lunch, and the afternoon activity followed. Sometimes a guest lecturer, sometimes a group activity, sometimes project worktime. Some days, the routine was disrupted in favor of a days excursion to a museum, park, or other site less than an hour away. Usually we had about 2-4 hours free after this. Then it was time for dinner, we cooked in groups of 4 or 5, ate as a whole, and cleaned up in groups of 4 or 5 as well. After dinner was totally free time!
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
I think I feared that it would be too much too fast. I’m not someone that welcomes change easily, and it was a lot to change so many of my daily habits. I’m also used to living in a city, so I feared the monotony of staying in place. I came to learn that it was possible to change, and that as uncomfortable as being still can be for me, I am capable of being uncomfortable. I learned new and different things about myself and the way I want to live my life that wouldn’t have come about if I hadn’t changed so quickly and sat so quietly.
Any advice?
I’m almost 3 years removed from the program and I still regularly keep in touch with the majority of everyone I met at my program. This experience will give you 20 or so life long friends. Stay present (or “Be Here Now” as the program leader likes to say) and soak it all in. You will wish you remembered more from your time there when you leave.