Seguinland Institute: The Good Life Gap Year

My time at Seguinland was unique and unforgettable! The Fall 2024 program included so many activities and trips that helped me explore my creativity and step outside of my comfort zone. The students came from various places throughout the country and some internationally, and we created such a close community and soon felt like a family. The Seguinland staff are amazing people, very involved and excited for each activity and eager to share their knowledge with the students. They also offer so much care and support and go above and beyond to ensure every single student experiences everything this program has to offer. My time in Maine helped me reconnect with the earth and see beauty within everything and everyone. In this program, I learned so much about philosophy, the climate crisis, and different forms of art. Outside of the classroom, I learned so much about my relationship with myself and others around me and I truly gained so much from the experience. It is genuinely such a special program and so unique I struggle to put it into words. The property is breathtaking and so fun to explore and I was lucky enough to be able to see the fall foliage! I definitely recommend this program to anyone struggling with finding their path in life or anyone who feels they need a change of environment or mindset. I love you Seguinland!!!

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.

For me, Seguiland acted as an atmosphere that allowed for peace and deepened my connection to myself, others, and nature. I have never felt more alive, engaged, inspired, and amused then at my time at Seguinland. The classes were deeply impactful for me and the lessons I learned continuously act as guideposts for all that is to come in my life. My experience at Seguinland acted as an outlet for self-reflection, memories, food, laughter, and friendships that will forever be an integral part of my growth and identity. My gratitude for this experience is life-long because this experience encouraged me to try new things and understanding what my dreams and goals are.

I chose to take a gap year very late in the summer of 2024, and in the midst of confusion and panic about what to do with myself, I found Seguinland Institute. I have been ever grateful to have been offered the opportunity to join in the wonderful, living and breathing community that makes up that small area of Georgetown and reaches out across the world.

Seguinland Institute gave me the pause, reflection and rejuvenation that I desperately needed. I cannot express how free I felt—within myself, with those I spent time with, and in the natural world. The blended aspects of the program: good food, conversation, conservation, good books and community are all so vital, and I found childlike wonder in a new way every single day.

I cannot recommend this program enough. If you are someone who likes to garden, someone who likes to cook, someone who plays instruments or likes to climb trees—truly, whoever you are, you will be welcomed and loved in Maine. I can only hope that many more students exploring on a gap year can experience Seguinland!

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.