Strangers to Friends in Three Hours Flat

The May Term at Seguinland completely changed how I thought about learning. It wasn't only lectures or assignments—it was also experiential, hands-on, and deeply personal.

What struck me most was how naturally and quickly our cohort became close. I vividly remember laughing so hard my eyes watered during our "primal walk" (a tour around campus)—and this was just three hours after we'd been introduced. In that moment, all my doubts—about choosing a program in a country I'd never visited, with people I'd only met online—simply melted away.

We cooked meals together, explored Reid State Park (beautiful beaches, though admittedly a bit too cold), visited organizations across Maine, welcomed various artists, and spent evenings in deep conversation under the stars on the docks.

One of my favorite experiences was organizing The Mad Farmers Award event. We planned and presented an honor to Maine State Senator Craig Hickman, which showed me what community organizing and food justice truly look like in practice—not just in theory.

Practical notes: If you're Brazilian or international, start your visa process early. And if you feel this experience is calling to you but something is holding you back, definitely reach out to Philip—he has the brightest heart of anyone I've ever met (when you meet him, I'm sure you'll feel similarly. The rest of the staff is awesome as well).