Program Reviews

I would describe Seguinland in just a few words by saying, it's a once in a lifetime experience that you absolutely need to take. It's a gap year program that creates unlimited memories and moments. My time at Seguinland was the most incredible and meaningful experience I’ve ever had. If I could spend the rest of my life here, I would. Seguinland feels like my second home and it truly feels like my second home.

Before arriving, I was nervous that no one was going to like me for who I am but it was the opposite; I was surrounded by people who loved me for me, and I have made countless friends here. I’ve never met someone mean or unkind here.

The Seguinland Staff is beyond awesome, trust me :). I will miss Seguinland each day as time goes on, even the second I drive out off the dirt road. I will always love Seguinland and I hope future students will too.

Before this program, I had just finished my first year of college. I was left feeling empty, hopeless, and without joy. I had no actual connection with any of my peers or professors. Everything felt so transactional and fake, and I soon began to question if this was truly meant for me. During this period, I felt lifeless and had fallen into an existence of no real meaning, hidden from the world. I was so afraid to get out of my comfort zone and had become accustomed to living in such a monotonous, passionless way. I felt like I was without a soul.

As you could likely tell, deciding to go to Seguinland was not an easy choice for me, and without my Mom's guidance, I would not have made it. I am forever thankful for her urging me to go. Also, I felt deep within me that this was the environment I needed to be in. It was as if a tiny flame had reignited from within, and it only continued to grow and grow over my time there. Now then, my experience at Seguinland... It was of pure beauty, love, joy, and creation. I am constantly grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in the Good Life Gap Semester. It reawakened my mind, body, and soul to the world again. There is a difference between being alive and FEELING alive!

Overall, the program focused on the importance of community, belonging, reciprocity, awe & wonder, gratitude, the natural world, play, art, and much more, and cultivates these ideas through interactive discussions, field trips, creative projects, cottage life conversations, mindfulness, food, and more. I cannot emphasize enough the significance of the ideas and thoughts explored; every discussion was so impactful, enlightening, and crucial for our existence in the world today. This program fosters young adults who will build a beautiful society for all.

This is a place of LOVING community; I can say that with utmost certainty. Never have I felt more cared for and accepted than here. The friends that I have made in this program, I believe, will last from this life into the next. I care so deeply for them, and they care so deeply for me; relationships are the key to a good life. This is something I had no clue that I was missing beforehand.

The Seguinland instructors are by far the most insightful, thoughtful, and just wise people I have had the privilege of learning from. The entire Seguinland team is so welcoming, friendly, and accommodating. The CLAs (Community Life Assistants) were so, so much fun, and they always had awesome activities planned. I swear to you, everyone here has a different, more alive twinkle in their eye!

If anyone is reading this who is unsure whether or not to do it, like I once was, trust me... DO IT! It will take courage. You will likely feel uncomfortable at first. I know that I sure did. But that is the key to the good life! To let yourself feel every emotion and experience, even the somewhat uncomfortable ones. Allow yourself the gift of traveling into the unknown.

The good life program offers a thoughtfully designed curriculum that encourages students to reflect deeply on personal values, purpose, and well-being. Through guided discussions, interdisciplinary readings, and experiential learning(visitong local workshop, preparing feast…), the program creates a supportive environment( campus is so beautiful!) where participants are able to develop greater self-awareness and critical thinking skills. The program creates a supportive and inclusive environment where individuals feel respected and empowered to explore their values and life goals. By integrating theory with real-world application, it helps me slow down, reflect deeply, and make more intentional choices about how i want to live. Overall, it is a meaningful and impactful program with lasting personal value.

It was truly a unique and rare experience where my cohort built a sense of community that feels alien to me in the modern world. Every one of the staff and teachers were great resources for the co-creation of the experience. Further, they were genuine, loving, caring, and supportive humans who were interested in our success in all aspects of our lives. Our minds, bodies, and souls were engaged, and I learned so much about myself, life, and my place in the world. If this opportunity at all intrigues you, take it!

Seguinland was my second program based Gap Year experience and I am forever grateful I got to be part of this meaningful community.

I was expecting to come out of this program with a few college credits and nothing much else. Instead I left with a vibrant community, a renewed outlook on nature and being, a deep appreciation for movement, a love for those breathtaking Georgetown views, AND college credits.

As a semi-international student (German/American but never lived in US) this program guided me to connect with all parts of my identity. To turn inward, grow, accept and connect with others in meaningful ways. If you are an international student and are afraid of how you might be embraced within the community, don’t be. They will welcome you, your language and culture with open arms and curiosity. Sie sind alle wirklich schätze :)

My only regret is not embracing it more, Seguinland is a captivating experience if you allow yourself to be immersed in it.

I came to Seguinland somewhat disillusioned with my college experience and seeking a change, though I was a bit on-guard when joining the program because it was so different from anything I had done before. But the community I found when I got there was so caring and naturally relatable that I often found myself forgetting I had only just met the people I was living with! The value of the friendship a person experiences here cannot be overstated and that experience will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Another part of the program that truly changed me was the curriculum itself, which explores the idea of community building and the people, ideas and practices that make it possible. To do this, we visited different members of the surrounding community - among them artists, community organizers, and builders - and both observed and participated in work that I'd never been able to experience the true beauty of previously. Interacting with the people behind these communities gave me perspective on my own life and taught me the value of staying grounded.

There are many, many parts of my experience that I am leaving out for the sake of brevity. But if this has made you even a little bit curious, I would urge you to go and experience it for yourself. At best, it will be life-changing. At worst, you will meet some incredible people and spend some time in some very beautiful nature. I truly believe you cannot go wrong.

Seguinland is truly a special place. I’ve never felt so free to be myself, to explore what’s around me, sit with my thoughts, and figure out what really matters to me. The experience gave me something I didn’t know I was searching for: a profound sense of place. In the physical sense—our close-proximity cottage living, the coastal rural community, the changing tides of the marsh—and in the deeper way of feeling truly rooted in and known by a community.

Our ten weeks were packed with unforgettable experiences: a day of solitude, fort-building, dance parties, cooking, community meals, stargazing, artist studio visits, evening mindfulness yoga sessions, canoeing to Beal Island, and a camping trip to Acadia National Park that somehow became one of my favorite memories (which feels crazy to say as someone who never considered herself a “nature person” before this).

This program attracts extraordinary people who are intentionally choosing to slow down and seek the good life, and because of that, I spent ten weeks surrounded by compassionate, curious, deeply thoughtful, and community-oriented people. And, we were given the rare gift of time together to connect and be present! My Seguinland friends are very different from any of my friends from home, and I think that’s part of what makes them feel so special. I feel so lucky to have found people who I love so deeply in such a short amount of time.

Academically, it was very manageable and balanced. I loved taking just one class at a time, and we often spent evenings together completing our homework while chatting. Learning felt very communal and experiential—not only did we spend many classes outside of the classroom, learning from hands on experiences, but ideas and discussions often made their ways into late night cottage chats and other parts of our lives.

Seguinland was the simultaneously the best place to land on after high school and to launch from into my gap year and college. While I sometimes struggled at home to explain my gap year to peers heading straight to college, Seguinland felt so safe and refreshing, filled with others on unconventional paths, all figuring things out together. I left feeling rooted in who I am, what I value, and what I want to look for in people and communities; carrying with me a sense of belonging and a readiness to step into whatever comes next. I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience and I can’t imagine my life without these people, these memories, and this special place. If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll take it as your sign to apply! I can promise you won’t regret it.

My experience at Seguinland has been beyond special, and I would describe Seguinland as just that: special. There is no way to articulate the specialness of this program—the only way to find out is by coming here! One might even say Seguinland is ineffable. I’ve been changed for the better because of my time here, and I’ll forever be grateful for that. I’ve learned the power of community and belonging, the importance of nature and re-wilding, the value of creativity, and so much more. From dance parties in the rain to cooking together to having deep late-night conversations to yoga class to field trips to camping to playing games on the beach, I’ve made life-long friends. Truthfully, I am much closer to the people here than I am to friends I’ve known for 10 years. That is the true power of Seguinland—the ability to forge an invaluable community I’ll never forget.

I spent a semester doing the Good Life program at Seguinland, and I made some of the most amazing memories and closest friends of my life. The courses and the adventures that we set out on brought the entire group together in a way I’d never experienced, we shared so many lovely home cooked meals and so many laughs. The instructors were so easily accessible and supportive, creating a safe and unique environment to create, explore, and be yourself. I would recommend this to anyone in search of a little peace, joy, and reconnection with nature!

Seguinland Institute is a truly transformative gap year program that creates a rare space for deep self-discovery and creative growth. From the moment you arrive, the emphasis isn’t just on mastering techniques, but on asking meaningful questions about who you are and how you express yourself in the world. Phillip (Director) really invites you to explore big ideas about identity, purpose, and human experience, while our writing workshops guide you to articulate your thoughts, reflect on your journey, and shape your voice with clarity and courage. You move beyond perfection and performance, learning to experiment, take risks, and communicate through visual forms. What sets this kind of program apart is the reflective practices with a supportive community living: you’re constantly encouraged to engage in thoughtful conversations and receive honest feedback. You challenge yourself in way you've never been challenged before. By the end of the experience, I would say I improved not just creatively, but gained a deeper sense of self-awareness, renewed confidence in my aspirations, and a clearer sense of purpose for the next chapter of my life.