Location
Multiple Locations +7
  • Italy
    • Rome
    • Sardinia
  • Monaco
    • Monte Carlo
  • France
    • Nice
    • Cannes
  • Spain
    • Barcelona
    • Palma de Mallorca
    • Canary Islands
  • Morocco
    • Marrakech
  • Dominica
  • Antigua and Barbuda
Term
Fall
Subject Areas
Communications Environmental Studies Marine Biology Oceanography

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma
Housing
Boat
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
30970
Price Details
12 academic credits from the University of South Florida

International Yachtmaster Training (IYT): International Crew Certificate, Navigation
Master and Master of Yachts 200 Ton Theory (course based on experience)

PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue or Divemaster Certification
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Classes Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare
Oct 28, 2023
Dec 30, 2022
87 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Why limit yourself to just one ocean, country or continent? Choose this Sea|mester journey spanning over 6,500 miles that offers the best of land and sea. Sail the Mediterranean, cross the Atlantic and cruise the Caribbean against the backdrop of sunrise, sunset, and moonlight.

Gaze at the Pantheon and Coliseum in Rome. Tour the ancient fortress town of Bonifacio - a mountain in the sea with over 1,700 summits and water so clear that visibility is perfect even at 50 feet below. Ride camels among the sand dunes on the beaches of Agadir and wander in the courtyard of the King's Palace in Casablanca. Conquer our longest sailing passage and experience deep blue freedom in every direction as you cross the Atlantic with pilot whales, bioluminescent plankton, and flying fish. Night dive over vivid Caribbean Reefs. As your Sea-mester journey closes, realize that the greatest achievement of your voyage is that it was accomplished by you.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Become A Certified Scuba Diver
  • Learn To Sail
  • Earn 12 College Credits
  • Cross the Atlantic Ocean

Scholarships

Seamester Scholarships

Seamester Scholarships & Financial Aid

Sea|mester offers scholarships, financial aid, and tuition assistance to applicants who show great potential to succeed and grow from our unique experience yet would otherwise be only able to attend with financial assistance.

The total amount of funds available for any given semester varies. There is no scholarship application fee, and all Sea|mester applicants are eligible to apply.

Value
$500 - $14,000

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 18 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.44%
  • 4 rating 5.56%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.3
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 4.45
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 1 - 8 of 18 reviews
Default avatar
Rachel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Voyage of a Lifetime

This experience completely altered the course of my life. I have learned so much from my fellow students and staff and therefore can without a doubt say that this was the best decision I have ever made for myself. My new perspectives and outlook on life are indescribable, and I hardly recognize my old self. My favorite memories are the little moments: a private laugh across the cockpit, staying up with another watch team an extra 30 minutes, skipping through clouds on top of a mountain, a giant stride, a smile, a hug, a squeeze. Throw yourself fully into this experience because it is only what you make it. It's crazy what happens when you let go and surrender yourself to everything and everyone around you, and what better place than the ocean!

Pros
  • The most incredible, inspiring staff to learn from
  • Every day is unique
  • There are no passengers :)
65 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Owen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

seamester review title

Oh my goodness it was the time of my life, the adventure of my life, the most fun of my life. I met so many friends that I have met and will keep strong bonds with for the rest of our lives, I saw and experienced things people can only imagine to see once in their lifetime, and i saw it all in 90 days. I would do anything to do it again, literally the time of my life. The worst part of this trip was getting off the boat, i had never cried so much in my life and it hasn’t stopped either, the friends you make with everyone, including the staff will last forever.

Pros
  • relationships created
  • all the sights and things you get to experience
  • all the things you learn and certifications
Cons
  • small space
  • hot
  • chef day
69 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Benjamin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a lifetime

I went abroad for my Fall sophomore semester aboard Argo and I have to say, it was one of the best experiences of my life. We started off in France and sailed our way down the southern coast to Italy. Throughout the beginning of the trip our instructors quickly brought all of us closer together with actives as well as a deep level of integration in our new environment. They quickly became our friends and their participation was a key in how enjoyable and educational this experience was for me. 90 days and an ocean later, I have to say I have absolutely no regrets. This experience was truly one of a kind and I believe everyone should engage with it. This trip brought me countless exotic experiences, a far deeper application for the ocean and environment as well as lifelong friends. Thank you!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Pack very light. Bring only durable things and essentials. Bring lots of cash for the stops
123 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Caroline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Don’t miss out

Do yourself a favor and come aboard this trip. My life aboard S/Y Argo in the Fall 2016 is one I will never forget and treasure to this day. I use the skills I learned from the trip everyday and I skyrocketed as a person. Coming back from the trip, I had a whole new outlook on life. I am not going to lie, it is hard work, but it is SO worth it and there are so many positive and fun aspects to being aboard. I improved vastly as a person on this trip. I also had never sailed prior and was 17 but that is not a problem with Seamester. You all will not regret this as I can assure you it will change your life forever in so many amazing ways. If you want to learn more about it I made three parts about it at my website a while ago: www.carolinewilbur.com

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Keep and open mind and stick to it! You will have the best time.
124 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Emmalee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Everyone should have this experience

Not only was seamester a trip and experience of a lifetime that left me with wonderful memories and bonded friendships, but it also expanded my perspective on the world. I have felt a deepened desire to health the earth since doing seamester. Not to mention it’s a great time visiting various countries and having adventures only a lucky few are able to have. I got to experience everything from seeing the most beautiful sunsets in the world to seeing whale pods in the middle of the ocean. No day is ever the same and you get to experience all of it with a crew that truly does become ur family. It’s not an experience for the weak of mind, it’s challenging. However it is an experience for anyone wanting an adventure that is unique and beautiful and leaves you feeling accomplished, experienced and just straight up grateful to live in the world we do

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come in with an open mind and also actively keep one. Not everything about this trip is glamorous, you won’t necessarily get a full nights rest most of the time BUT it’s a small price to pay for getting to travel the world and see things in the way you do. it’s worth trading some luxuries for experiencing ONCE in a lifetime things
132 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Claire
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Worth every penny

From the start the staff made sure that everyone was known and welcomed. With every night watch under the endless stars and every day in the kitchen with your sous chefs, we got to know each other a bit better. Even when we were sleep deprived, nauseous, and hangry, everyone took care of each other and we became fast friends. By the time Thanksgiving rolled around (in the middle of the Atlantic no less), it didn't feel like we were away from home. We all had good food, and we felt like family anyway.
The diving was my favourite part, as we got to dive in some of the most beautiful locations and see incredible creatures. Each location was different with a million colours, edges, and textures. Our instructors were highly skilled and taught us to recognize and care for the creatures we saw.
Academics were challenging and interesting, but I learned the most outside of the classroom. I can now negotiate underwater shipwrecks, barter with Moroccan vendors, and lead a sail raise.
I'll never forget the starry nights, endless ocean, and my boat family. It was unequivocally the trip of a lifetime and I would go again in a heartbeat.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you want to get along, don't be lazy. Work hard.
129 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alexandra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Crew-mates for life :)

Sea|Mester not only provided me with amazing experiences and memories, but after the 90 days were over I had a solid group of close friends I will have for a lifetime. I have visited many of my crew-mates, from California, to Colorado, and Switzerland even, after the program ended! It was definitely character building and flung me out of my comfort zones many times. However, there are no rewards without a little risk! I remember waking up in the middle of the Atlantic on my 19th birthday to my friend Andrew yelling that there was a pod of dolphin jumping at the bow! This trip was a beautiful blessing in my life, truly. The staff genuinely care and in my opinion is what really made the experience an enjoyable one.

What would you improve about this program?
Personally, I found it hard to stay engaged with the classes simply because we were in exciting new places every few days. While they were lower level classes I almost felt like some of the marine/oceanography classes were harder than what they needed to be. I remember choosing to skip a scuba dive in Gran Canaria because I had so much homework and tests to study for. Looking back on it I should have chosen the experience over the school work! One of my regrets. Advice to future students ... balance the work and exploration.
127 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tait
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Invigorating

This was easily the best decision I ever made. There are obvious reason why this was an incredible experience, the diving, sailing, culture, and sailing were all amazing. But what I found to be the most remarkable and life changing was the new perspective it gave me. Being away from home and learning things in this environment created so much growth. You become so connected to nature and the ocean and develop a new understanding of the environment. Diving with animals was incredible and swimming in truly open water was euphoric. Waking up for night watch to stars that almost touched the water is something You would never see anywhere else. It helps you to appreciate what you have and show you a lifestyle you would never experience otherwise. The people we met along the way were wildly diverse and interesting. I’ve come home with so many stories that my freinds and family hardly believe. This program is definitely a get out what you put in and an amazing way to face your fears. I would recommend it to anyone!

What would you improve about this program?
The packing list was difficult. I was lucky that we stopped in ports where I was able to find clothes and things that I needed because I did not show up with them. If you are crossing an ocean I recommend a warm hat!
131 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story

Questions & Answers

Seamester students are typically between the ages of 18-24. We see mainly gap year and study abroad students and a few postgraduate students as well!