Seguinland Institute: The Good Life Gap Year

Program Reviews

Cary
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

Great friends, great experiences. Beautiful location and living environment. Something I will cherish forever. Everything was done so deliberately and in a way that always kept you engaged. From food to class to excursions everything was fantastic and I’m so glad that I attended this program. The lake is really beautiful its such a peaceful setting, you can be isolated from the noise of the world and really help discover yourself. You have to put a lot of work in but if you give yourself fully then you will undoubtedly get even more out of it than you put in.

Lilly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A loving community

Seguinland Institute is an indescribable experience. They gather all aspects of the good life – from community to creativity to food – and explore each with kindness and passion. If you attend Seguinland you will no doubt make lifelong friends while discovering so many new and amazing things about yourself. You’ll be challenged both physically and intellectually, but it never seems like too much to take in. Every experience you have is filled with wonder and is so rewarding. The staff builds relationships with each member of our sweet little community and truly feels like family by the end. Seguinland really has something for everyone and it will always have a place in my heart❤️

Pros
  • Tight-knit community
  • Time for reflection
  • Beautiful scenery
Cons
  • Fully packed schedule, not ideal if you’re looking for something more independent
  • No Wi-Fi (but a great place to unplug!)
Lilly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Seguinland!

Seguinland Institute is an indescribable experience. They gather all aspects of the good life – from community to creativity to food – and explore each with kindness and passion. If you attend Seguinland you will no doubt make lifelong friends while discovering so many new and amazing things about yourself. You’ll be challenged both physically and intellectually, but it never seems like too much to take in. Every experience you have is filled with wonder and is so rewarding. The staff builds relationships with each member of our sweet little community and truly feels like family by the end. Seguinland really has something for everyone and it will always have a place in my heart.

Pros
  • Tight-knit community
  • Time to reflect
  • Beautiful scenery
Cons
  • Fully packed schedule, not a very independent experience if you’re looking for that
Pia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The good life indeed

I don’t know what I was expecting from Seguinland but it never failed to surprise me. I found a community full of love, respect and support. I created bonds that will hopefully last for life. I got out of my comfort zone and did things I would never have thought of doing, like hiking a mountain at 3am and kayaking for hours. I found a group of staff that understood us and treated us like adults. I found knowledge within myself while holding my friends’ hands through this path. I found peace in solitude and comfort in my community. I found a new family and with amazing perspectives to life. Loved it and would totally recommend it!

Ella
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Success

"I came here to question my life and instead I fell in love with it." Truly indescribable. I could say that this program is 10 weeks of yoga, discussions, dance parties, readings, painting, thinking, camping, bonfires, dishes, movie nights, family dinners and more but it would not even begin to explain the scope of it all. I was challenged in all regards–you push yourself to new comfort zones and have a whole community behind you as you do it. I will come away from this with 19 lifelong friends and 8 mentors.

Pros
  • learning independence
  • practicing communication in small community-living
  • cooking with your friends most nights!
Cons
  • hard to find alone time with a packed schedule
  • If you grew up in the city, this program will challenge your ability to stay put
Arushi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Honestly a fresh breath of life :))

This experience felt like a fresh breath of life for me. I’m so grateful I took this chance. I’ve made lifelong memories and built a greater sense of confidence. This was my first time living without my family (I was straight out of high school). This program helped me feel more affirmed in the hope I have for my future. The staff and faculty were like family. It felt like growing up in the best way as I experienced new things every day. I enjoyed the kindness, openness, and support all the staff gave us. I wouldn't have considered myself a very outdoorsy person before this experience but now I know that I love the outdoors more than ever. Living in a community takes a lot of effort and I’m glad that I got to learn how to put that effort in. I’ll always think back fondly to dance parties in the cookhouse and the warmth of bonfires and friends."

Sophia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

There is nothing better than Maine in the Fall!

Seguinland is wonderful! The program allowed me to explore every unexpected creative outlet, live in a wonderful, authentic community, try all new perspectives and challenges, and will truly stick with my for life. I grew in so many ways and found new capabilities, friendships and passions. I am more authentic, creative, confident and joyful because of my time in The Good Life Gap Semester. The Seguinland staff gave me such a sense of home away from home and have so much kindness and support in their hearts. What will stick with me the most is the people, everyone in the program was so loving and down to earth and it was so unique to be able to build a community all together. My time at Seguinland is unforgettable.

colette
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

the best 10 weeks ever!

My biggest takeaway from my time at Seguinland is to embrace the unexpected. In your time here you will practice the art of getting lost and then found again. You will face challenges, physically, mentally, and come out stronger on the other side. Kayak trips, crazy hikes, hours of solitude, and hard conversations are bookended with gorgeous, mindful mornings in the gathering space and cozy nights in the cookhouse surrounded by great food and better friends. You will get muddy, paint-y, tired, hungry, sweaty, giggly, pee-yourself-laugh-y, contemplate-philosophically-y, warmed, fed, hugged, taught, and loved unconditionally by a strong, tight knit community.

Pros
  • unique and mind-opening learning experience
  • BEST staff ever
  • absolutely wild life changing adventures!
Cons
  • no wifi :(
Lula
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Review of Seguinland Institute

I had the most amazing time at Seguinland! It was definitely the perfect program for me. The beautiful campus and the fresh air provides the perfect place to learn and grow. The things that I was nervous about coming into the program vanished once I got there. The first few days were mostly focused on getting to know the program, place, and people, which eased a lot of my anxiety. The staff were also great at accommodating needs (allergies, time for students to have online appointments, etc.). But above all, even though the program itself was nearly flawless, the thing that made it perfect was the other students. I have always been a pretty quiet person and it takes a while for me to open up. I was nervous that I wouldn't make any friends but by the time I left after 10 weeks, I walked away with 19 people that I now consider family. The time we shared together will always stick with me and have a special place in my heart.

Pros
  • The other students
  • Cooking and cleaning dinner with friends
  • The guest speakers that came in were amazing and had so much knowledge that they were willing to share with us.
Cons
  • The weekdays are usually packed with things for most of the day so it is hard to find time for yourself
  • Most of the appliances in the cabins are old and hard to use
Elie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A great gap year program with great people and great staff

My experience at Seguinland Insitute in the good life gap semester program was fantastic in many ways. It feels like you're living in a family, not just because students are surrounded by the real-life families (including kids) of the staff - who are largely part of one family - on a daily basis, but also because of the community-based structure of the entire program: all the meals (except for the rare occasion) are home-cooked and all the dinners are eaten together. The student body is small enough for each and every student to get to know each other during the duration of the program. Instead of the usual apartment style dorms that are common in post-high school education, the students stay in very well-furnished and cozy cottages. Mine had a kitchenette stocked with just about every kitchen item you'd need on a day to day basis. The program is built to build quality relationships with students, Earth, the staff, our inner landscape, and teaches students what the good life is in a very very individualized way - direct experience. The campus is very beautiful and everyone in the program loves music, the outdoors, and new and interesting experiences.

Pros
  • Very supportive staff
  • Beautiful campus
  • Interesting guest speakers
Cons
  • Some of the topics are very deep and some people might find it hard to engage sometimes