Program Reviews

I attended the good life gap semester in fall of 2022 and it was an incredible experience. I made amazing friends and our little community was so loving and connected. We had very interested and engaging classes that allowed for creativity and exploitation beyond a typical classroom setting, and we went on endless adventures that I will never forget. All of the staff were so caring and it really felt like a family together in beautiful maine. I carried many passions away from my semester, including a love of mushrooms, indigenous studies and activism, and poetry. I would be 100% recommend the good life semester for any type of gap student, we had a very diverse group and everyone benefited and loved it.

Seguinland Institute is an unmatched transcendent experience, and the Good Life Writer's Retreat proves furthermore. In addition to the many literary and writing skills I obtained, this program quickly became a family, supporting one another day after day. Being able to utilize the great room, the gathering space and other locations throughout the campus, provided me with the headroom and drive to produce some of the best writing I've done. Truly an exceptionally special and grounding dwelling.

My time at Seguinland was incredible. The staff is amazing and so supportive in every aspect of the experience. They created a very accepting and nonjudgmental environment that made me feel excited to participate, share my ideas, and step outside of my comfort zone. I made great friends, and living, traveling, cooking, eating, and creating together every day created a deep sense of community. Being constantly surrounded by nature was one of my favorite parts of the experience. I loved exploring outside every day, but being immersed in the natural environment while reading, writing, and making art also helped me rediscover my love for learning. Mindfulness practice and the way the staff ran the courses helped me be more intentional and focus on process rather than product. I am going back to Seguinland for the winter term, and I can't wait! It has been a truly life-changing experience.

Seguinland Institute is a magical place. A strong, tight-knit community comes to life and thrives. There is a level of vulnerability, unlike any I have witnessed, and there is no shying away from deep conversations. The faculty is engaged and truly shows that they care about every student. The days look drastically different, but there is a strong underlying stability. These are people you can rely on. A vibrant landscape is the backdrop for powerful conversations and the starts invite many warm laughs. Everyone is accepting and inclusive, if you are willing to bring your full self, everyone is welcome, especially as we share a warm and delicious meal. A group motivated by shared values, rather than interests is rare, yet that is exactly what this is. An escape from the distractions of life, where you can learn from others and reveal to yourself what you need to live a good life.

This was an incredible experience for me. The people were so kind, genuine, and fun! The food provided has healthy and SO GOOD! The trips we took were incredibly fun, and everything we did bonded us closer to our cohorts. Nobody was pressured into doing anything that made them uncomfortable, but there was plenty of room for growth and risk taking for those interested. Couldn't recommend this experience more. The Seguinland Family and all the students I met have had such a positive impact on my life. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything, and I am even going back for the Wintering term! If you're like me and want to get out of your comfort zone and meet people, enjoy Maine, and learn from some incredible people, I highly recommend the May Term.

I feel so deeply connected to this place and everyone here. Philip and the staff welcome you into this little island in rural Maine and turn it into a home with their energy, passion for teaching, and genuine love for the program. Through plunges into freezing cold water, discussions about the meaning of life, campfire songs, and cooking together, the faculty are always pushing people closer and showing how much they care. Seguinland cultivates such a level of comfort and togetherness that I hope I can bring even a fraction of to my life outside. There's no way I could have predicted how fast and deeply I'd fall in love with this place.

very fun program in a beautiful town in coastal maine, provided a wonderful supplement to the end of my final year of high school! i really enjoyed the scenic location and the opportunities to become involved in the community during my time there. the housing is very nice, as is the food, students are involved in preparing the food and are encouraged to bring a family recipe to share, leading to a wonderfully diverse menu over the course of the program! tons of amazing people, both in the staff and the students of my cohort, truly an amazing experience!

I love Seguinland! When I came to Maine, I was feeling burnt out, uninspired, and exhausted. Everything about this experience was exactly what I needed. The classes inspired me to start thinking bigger and bolder about how to live, the activities were new and exciting, and the lifestyle was fresh and revitalizing. This isn’t to say it was easy, but every challenge I faced was one that pushed me to grow in ways I haven’t experienced in any other scenario. The staff was the most supportive while still giving me room to grow from challenges. My fellow students were some of the kindest, funniest, and most genuine people I’ve ever met, and they are a big part of what made this experience special. My favorite memories include a 3 am hike, spotting 7 bald eagles on a boat ride, making food with foraged ingredients, candlelit mindfulness, town days, late night chats in the cabins, and lots and lots of bananagrams! I’m so grateful to have found this program that I know will have a lasting impact on my life.

Ahh, Seguinland, my favorite place in the world!! Wintering was the second program I did with them because one trip around Back River Bend just wasn't enough!
The Wintering retreat consists of three weeks of writing, rewriting, community building, laughing, and adventuring. From dog sledding to visiting the Maine Botanical Gardens, inspiration for our prose was around every corner. When we weren't buried in our work, us students were making friendship bracelets, sharing stories from our past, and singing Tom Petty in the cottages. A purposeful choice to keep technology away in group settings helps facilitate amazing memories.
If you are a writer, come to Wintering. If you want to become a writer, come to Wintering. If you want to explore a quiet, slower way of life tucked away on the coast of Maine, come to Wintering. If you want to make memories to last a lifetime, come to Wintering. I promise it'll be the best decision you'll make.

My experience at Seguinland has been nothing short of a dream. While at times it was incredibly difficult, I always felt held and supported by the community here. Everyone conducts themselves with generosity and vulnerability in mind. Everyday was an adventure, a local one like exploring the Dawnland Trail, or my day of solitude, or a big one like hiking Cadillac Mountain to see the sunrise. My favorite part of this semester was the art class with Marsha- everyday we explored a new form of creativity and her emphasis on process over product made it a welcoming, expressive, and fun space for everyone. I will always remember the joy and wonder I found here in people, places, and art.