Program Reviews

Seguinland Institute was the perfect first away-from-home experience. From the second I set foot on campus, I knew this was the right place for me. The emphasis on community, art, nature, and "The Good Life" were all extremely important to me.

I made life-long friends, learned a lot about my self, and our world. Seguin core (a name for the vales we learned and took away from our time at Seguinland) is still relevant in my day-to-day life. I cherish the memories and friends I made, the community I found, the nature I experienced, the little moments with my Seguin fam, and the many inspirational and life-changing ideas, readings, conversations, and quotes I heard and learned about during my time in Maine!

The bond you get to experience with your cohort is such a gift and something that I truly appreciated about this exceptional, fun, and educational micro-college in the woods. As "life is in the transitions," I am now in my first-year of college. I really miss my time on the campus. I miss crossing the bridge over the Back River with my friends, staring at the glistening stars in the night sky, learning about and getting to experience a lunar eclipse, and looking out at the snow-covered trees and salt flats from the gathering space and cook house. However, I take the memories and moments from Seguinland with me, and use them to shape the future I want for myself and our world.

I'm still in touch with my Seguin fam (both other students, as well as instructors). I still listen to the songs I collected from my friends and cohort when I miss them. I'm truly grateful that my path lead me to Seguinland Institute. I'd choose this program again if I could. It was the highlight of my gap year, and I will never forget my time in Maine or the community that we built together!

My semester at Seguinland (February–April 2025) came at a very tumultuous time in my personal life and provided me with a kind of solace I couldn’t have found anywhere else. Where else can you take a solo walk in the snowy woods, watch the geese and bald eagles soar overhead and touch down along the riverbank, then return to a cookhouse full of friends, collaboratively homemade meals, and hours of music passed around on the speaker? And then, afterward, gaze up at a full dome of stars on your walk back home??

Seguinland is a world of constant learning, all of which was vital to my growth as an individual during my gap year. While I was something of a non-traditional gap year student (21 years old, already graduated with my Bachelor’s degree and taking a year off while applying for Master’s programs), Seguinland was the perfect place for me. In our “Good Life” philosophy course, I was encouraged to ask large questions of myself—what is the heart’s deepest desire? how can I seek out and embrace awe and wonder in my everyday life? what does it mean to live a “good life”???—with no rush to answer them completely or immediately.

I was constantly engaging with my own natural curiosity and creativity, inside and outside of the classroom, learning about the tidal cycles of Back River, building a toboggan in the wood shop, and tapping maple trees for sap. On walks with community directors, I learned more about the history of the program and the incredible land we were living on. I played card games and had dance parties and folded origami flowers with their children and my classmates, feeling like a part of a family I never knew I would have. We wrote poems that responded to the winter woods we were living in, created collages to reflect our journeys as creatives. We hiked up mountains and flew down hills on our toboggans, waded in the pond, strapped on some cross-country skis and wandered, wandered, wandered. The community we built was so tight, so “Seguincore.” I stay in touch with many of my cohort and wish more than anything for us all to be together again, washing dishes and singing “Spud Infinity,” painting together at the dining room tables, walking hand-in-hand to fill our water bottles at the well.

Now at my Master’s program, I notice myself reminiscing about my time at Seguinland often—not only the memories and relationships I made with the people and the place, but the lessons I learned, the habits I acquired, the values. The person it helped me become, and how it continues to shape me far beyond the program.

Thank you, Seguinland! My life will forever be Seguincore.

The Seguinland experience has been one of the most magical times of my life. The activities my peers and I participated in truly changed the way I think and connect with others. From discussing how to live the good life in class to building forts and creating together, my creativity was constantly reignited.

One moment that will always stand out to me was our first course final project, where everyone had to create a foraged feast and write an ode to their chosen plant. Seeing everyone’s creativity and passion, and getting to try their delicious food, is something I will never forget.

The human connection at Seguinland was just as meaningful. My peers were all so different, yet incredibly kind and welcoming. They showed me not only what makes a great friend, but what makes a great person. The teachers were equally impactful, always supportive, understanding, and genuinely invested in who we are.

I found some of my best friends at Seguinland, and will be forever thankful for this experience. Thank you, Seguinland!

In a few words: creativity, joy, exploration, learning, friendship, nature, laughter

Seguinland is more than a place or a gap year program; it is community in the truest sense of the word. It combines enlivening academics with hands on experiences that allow you to live into the questions and ideas that you discuss in class.

The program is deeply rooted in Georgetown and midcoast Maine—the emphasis on the local is what makes this program so special—and yet it brings together students from all over the world to explore ideas on the Good Life that transcend time and geography. Seguinland allowed me to uncover and tap into life-affirming wells of curiosity, creativity, and joy that I had previously lost touch with. At Seguinland, I lived fully and authentically. I also got to harvest clams.

The experience at the Seguinland Good Life Gap semester is one that cannot be replicated. It is unique in so many ways. I was able to bond with so many people I am currently still in touch with even after the program ended. I was able to create so many memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. It allowed me to discover more about myself, and helped with independent strength. I was supported enough to get out of my comfort zone in ways that completely elevated the experience. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is not sure what their next step is in life, and to anyone who loves nature, and community.

Seguinland is a wonderful way to start a gap year. Its grounding natural environment in one of the country's prettiest areas, thought-provoking themes about leading a good life (for more than just the self), and seemingly countless opportunities for social connection offer lots to reflect on.

The academic portion of the program changes considerably from month to month. My personal favorite section was the philosophy unit, in which we’d circle up almost daily and share intense philosophical debates with classmates and our great professor, Phillip. He breathes philosophy! Later on, we diverge almost completely from traditional academics, but in a valuable, experiential way - we met over a dozen outside artists, thinkers, etc. (Really awesome people!) However, at times, the academic portion of the program felt pretty impersonal because we moved quickly from topic to topic without diving too deeply.

Consistent throughout it all were Seguinland's community life and mindfulness aspects. The social environment proved to be both the most rewarding and challenging part of my experience. As a self-selective program, Seguinland genuinely attracts a smart, wacky, soulful bunch of students. However, it can become very intense spending so much time with such a small group for several months. But in the end, I’m walking away with friends that will hopefully last a lifetime and with connections all over the country.

Two bonus aspects of the program: KILLER food!! Our nightly cookhouse dinners were so inviting, communal, and delicious. And the teachers here are really great people - approachable and open to deep conversation.

The time I spent there will remain unforgettable. I found friends for life within a truly unique community, sustained by an extraordinary level of love, support, and joy from the entire staff. Time seemed to fly by—between excursions into nature, philosophical discussions, and visits to artists’ studios, one highlight reel just never stoped. Every interaction, whether with peers or the staff was marked by authenticity and encouragement, fostering a sense of belonging that I will always cherish. I leave this community inspired, motivated, and deeply grateful for the connections and memories that will undoubtedly stay with me in the future.

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.