Program Reviews

I did a NOLS Semester in the Southwest in 1998 when I was 20 years old. I cannot say enough about the positive and lasting impact it had in my life. I always enjoyed the outdoors, but NOLS made me a competent outdoorsman. Gaining the confidence to traverse through wilderness also had a spillover into my overall confidence and self-reliance. I recommend a NOLS course to ANYONE and to ANY AGE... it was one of the best experiences of my life.

My semester in Alaska in 2013 was most likly the highlight of my life thus far. It changed me inside and out, and was a catlyst to many changes in my life. I would strongly encourage anyone even remotely considering it (and those who aren't yet) to do it. I could not have asked for anything better.

I was only able to do a shorter Outdoor Educator course with NOLS. While I wish I had done a semester, my month in the field was still fantastic. The course had 12 other educators and three instructors. Everyone came from different backgrounds; some were classroom teachers, others worked in the outdoors. We traveled through the Beartooth Mountains in Montana- which was beautiful. We didn't see any other groups while we were in the field and that year there was a lot of snow pack, so we were camping on snow most of the time. The days were packed with backpacking, climbing camp and class time. I truly feel that the course improved my technical outdoor, as well as teaching skills. I can highly recommend an Outdoor Educator course to anyone who is interested in working in the outdoors or wants to improve their teaching.

My semester in Baja was the best part of my college career, and an important part of my life. I learned more about myself and the world around me than at any other time in life. Not only did I learn the fundamentals of sailing, which is how I make my living, but I also learned communication and leadership skills that have helped me in all aspects of my life.

My experience was amazing. waking up early and moving all day is the best. Every day is eventful and new. A semester in a tent was the coolest experience ive ever had. The meals were great and included a wide variety of options.

During my NOLS Semester in Alaska, I was given the chance to lead a rope team over glacier travel. It was one of the most incredible experiences and will stick with me forever. The instructors were all great and very motivating. They pushed you to your maximum ability and taught you so much about the outdoors.

The semester I spent in Alaska was the best decision I have ever made. With a group of 11 students and 3 instructors, we spent 23 days sea kayaking then 48 days backpacking and mountaineering. Though some days were long and taxing, the experience was one I couldn't have gotten anywhere else. Some highlights included river crossings, getting food drops via bush plane, summiting mountains, ice climbing, repelling into crevasses, kayaking with whales, and meeting unbelievably cool people -- this program is the best and I highly recommend it.

Easily one of the most influential experiences of my life. Personal growth through conflict resolution, communication, and a shared outdoor experience. There is no classroom like the wilderness, no setting better than New Zealand, and (almost) no instructors like NOLS instructors.

Excellent experience if your want to learn technical outdoor skills and go to some wild, remote and incredibly beautiful places! I did a course with NOLS Amazon which included canoeing a tributary of the Amazon river, a hiking section in the mountains, and a cultural section.