High School Study Abroad in Sint Maarten

My trip to the Caribbean was, in short, a life changing adventure. Living out on the water for 2 weeks made me connect with the people around me and further appreciate the beautiful nature and marine wildlife. I was able to witness things while scuba diving that many dream to see, such as sea turtles, nurse sharks, spotted eagle rays, and the overall diverse species of fish. While I do have amazing memories of the sites I saw, more importantly, I cherish the friends I made and the fun times we had together. Right after the first day, the whole group immediately bonded, and every night on the boat we would dance to music and just get to know each other. We became so close, that by the end of the trip we were already planning a reunion. Every day was a new adventure with something fun planned, and if I had the chance to do another Broadreach trip I would do so in a heartbeat.

My mom was in this position of researching how the trip would be and she was concerned she wasn't getting the whole truth about people's reviews towards this since it was the same cliched words. However, she goes back on her word as she lights up when I tell her the amazing experience I had over there. To say this was the time of my life and it is so easy for me to say this because it was. I have a glass bead necklace that I have never taken off since I got back. It’s been on whether it be a formal event or going to the beach for a swim, much to my mom's dismay. Those 21 days in the Caribbean not only introduced me to the most extraordinary 10 people but my family (ohana). There was never a moment on Pom D’ô, our boat, that I wanted to be elsewhere. Screaming glum free on the top of my lungs every chance I got. Making dinner and all of us taking a few moments to watch the sun disappear in the horizon with the explosion of colors coming from it. It was breathtaking; that bright orange glaze that would become the ocean and the swirls of red-blue that would become the sky and later, if we were in Saba, that sky would later reveal the never-ending Milky Way and the awe/silence that would overtake everyone. I met the greatest people on my trip and we all still keep in contact, before I went on the trip I was nervous about it, but looking back I know for a fact that it all disappeared with the first hour of meeting each other and the same goes for everyone ready to embark on a never forgetting journey.

This trip was a great experience especially for my first time being involved with Broadreach. The community and environment for this trip was very positive. The counselors were very engaged with us and were always there to help us learn something new or when we had a questions about something. I had the best time and this trip was awesome! It is a summer to remember! I look forward to doing more trips in the future and having more memories to share.

This trip totally exceeded my expectations! I was so amazed by the underwater world we were able to discover. I learned so much about both sailing and diving. My instructors and other boat mates became like family to me. There were many great leadership opportunities, and we got to learn about island culture and do community service. Every day was filled with activities and fun, there was never a dull moment. Over the 17 days I learned so much about all the friends I made, and most of all I learned a lot about myself. This trip is one of a kind!

Caribbean underwater adventures was one of the best trips of my life! It taught me how to respect the ocean, cultures, and especially my group members which will now be some of my best friends for life! Learning to sail and scuba dive is always a plus because you get to experience the world in a whole new way. All in all this trip was one of the best trips of my life! I also loved the Costa Rica Spanish Immersion, Costa Rica field biology, and Panama eco-adventures trips!

If you haven't travelled with Broadreach before, I recommend this trip to be your first experience. On this trip, you will be exposed to many amazing things - from swimming with sea turtles and sting rays, to rising at 4:00 am for a sunrise hike. A personal highlight for me was the shipwreck dive. It was fascinating to explore the ruins and come face to face with so many different fish. One of the most amazing things I got out of this trip was really connecting with people on the boat. We listened to music and danced and stayed up late talking (even though we knew we had to get up early). It was really hard to leave these wonderful people when it was time to go. Not only will you meet kids your own age, and form friendships that will last forever, but you will interact with truly amazing instructors. I can't emphasize enough how much more you will get out of a 21 day trip over a 12 day trip. That extra week gave us the time to create strong bonds and I really didn't want to leave after three weeks so I can't imagine leaving a week earlier. This trip changed my life and I can't recommend it enough!

I showed up for the program not quite knowing what to expect, but as soon as I met the group at the airport, I felt welcome. As we traveled among the amazing islands, and witnessed beautiful aquatic species and structures, I made great friendships with the diverse array of personalities who accompanied and supported me. I learned about the people I was with, but maybe even more about myself. Even though I was two feet away from my dive buddy, being forty-feet under-water with the light piercing through the surface above and a dull array of matted colors of the magnificent coral structures bellow became a spiritual journey as well. Furthermore, I learned of the complexity and magnificent power of the ocean in a way that cannot be taught in a classroom. I would definitely recommend this adventure! If you are reading this and are on the edge, telling yourself, "Well, maybe but...," just do it. There will be nothing to regret by going, unless you don't like having fun!!

I came on this trip expecting to live on a boat, get some certifications, meet some friends and go home. I left with a new outlook on life. I learned teamwork, cooperation, hard work, humility, respect, and so much more. I will forever have my Broadreach family who I will stay in contact with for years to come. It took me months of being back home after my trip, to begin to understand what Broadreach did for me. Advice I'd give to people considering this trip: Pack more bathing suits than you think, don't bring anything you wouldn't want to go in the ocean, and be open minded.

I don't even know where to start. From the unbelievable dives, the beautiful sights, to the amazing people Broadreach isn't just your everyday camp. From the minute you get there from the minute you leave your day is jam packed with once and a life time opportunities. The people there are amazing, and I still text them everyday. When I show my friends at home pictures from the trip they are all in awe. I can't imagine a better way to spend my summer than at Broadreach.

I cannot stop telling everyone how great my trip to the Caribbean with Broadreach was this past summer. I had the experience of a lifetime. I made so many new friends, all of whom I am still in contact with, and learned so much. My time spent on the Africa was by far one of the best trips I have every been on. The counselors were very knowledgeable and great to be around. They had everything organized, taught us how to sail, and showed us how to properly scuba dive. I am already planning my next summer's trip - hopefully, I can talk my parents into two!!

This trip completely changed my life! It made me more confident and independent. I got to see and do things that I had never dreamed of being able to do. I learned so much about myself and the world around me! This trip made me more adventurous and willing to try new things and meet new people. I felt like a new person when I got back! Thanks Broadreach for giving me the summer of a lifetime!

Honestly, I could talk about this trip forever and come up with plenty of instances from it that still bring me pure happiness. I still feel beyond lucky to have been given the opportunity to take part in it. Obviously the people were a big part of what made the trip so awesome. Some of us were so different from each other, but that's what made it so much more interesting and fun. Such a special bond is built between everyone, regardless of who they are. I also could not have asked for better instructors, I know they worked so hard to make the trip as good as it could be. I think from looking back on the trip as a whole, it's hard to recall any actual nervous feelings I had about it. If you feel hesitant about it at all for maybe things to do with meeting new people, being away from home, or whatever else, this trip/Broadreach in general makes a point to have those fears turn into something you would not even think of anymore. For this particular trip, it's inevitable for you to NOT become close with the people on your boat, and any challenges end up being completely worth it. If you choose this trip, you will be exposed to the most beautiful scenery and to some of the most fun you could have, and you learn so much about yourself and the people around you; I still keep in touch with people on my boat. The scuba diving is AMAZING and you will never fall short of having anything to do in general. Like anything else, the actual experience couldn't be described and there's a certain feeling of happiness I get whenever something from the trip comes to mind.

10/10 would do again. I heard of Broadreach through my parents, who had been looking for scuba diving and marine biology programs for me for a while. This was the only one they found that really appealed to me, and I was not disappointed! This program was the perfect introduction to sailing and scuba diving, in the beautiful Caribbean. The staff were amazing, and were some of the nicest people I have met. They were passionate about what they did, and were happy to share all that they knew. I had a ton of fun and would love to do it again. As I said. 10/10.

This was the first trip I've done with Broadbeach and I enjoyed every bit of it! I met new friends that I am still in contact with, got my advanced open water scuba certification and learned a lot about sailing. I had wonderful instructors who helped me learn a lot. Everyone on my boat was so cooperative and helped out with all our chores and cooking. We got to dive tons of times, went cliff jumping, shopping, swimming around the boat and had so much fun. I highly recommend this trip to anyone, especially if you've never gone on a trip like this before and want to learn a lot. Broadreach is a great program and I look forward to the next trip I go on!

When I first learned of Broadreach, my only thoughts afterword revolved around this incredible trip I couldn't even believe was real. The day I found out I could go & signed up changed my life. Being immersed in such a loving environment with nothing but positivity and admiration is one thing you won't find anywhere else outside of Broadbeach. The Caribbean Underwater Discoveries program was the perfect choice for me because it embodied a piece of each aspect that Broadbeach is about; such as diving, sailing, teamwork, and social immersion. I grew both mentally and physically after my 17 days living on our catamaran, and it is something I will have forever with me wherever I go. Not only do I have new goals and aspirations because of this trip, but I also have a second family; which extends farther than just my boat. Being with such a closely bound group of people taught me so much about who I was & respecting who people are as individuals also. Living so far away from the ocean but always having a passion for it really made this trip even more beautiful for me. Whether being in or out of the water, it gave me a sense of peace and understanding that this was where I was meant to be; sun on my back and salt in my hair. Diving also did this for me. It solidified my love of the ocean and it's marine life in an environment which I was never able to experience before thanks to my wonderful dive instructors. Broadbeach changed my life, and the Caribbean Underwater Discoveries program definitely was a major factor in this realization, because I wouldn't have gotten the same experiences anywhere else. The love and compassion of the staff is something I will never forget, along with every late night, every laugh, and every day spent on my boat.

Having never gone away from my family for this long with a group of people I didn't even know yet, I did not know what to expect. From the start, I was excited about scuba diving but I wasn't sure how I would enjoy the experience away from my family. Although, by the end of the trip, I realized I had been with my family all along. The new family that is unique to Broadbeach and the teenagers who go on the trips. Instantly, I became very close friends with all 10 people on my boat. Relationships that I know will last a lifetime and so far, they are well on their way to lasting forever. In addition to the excellence of the counselors and their special ability to seem just like another explorer of the same age, there is no feeling like being 100ft down in the ocean. When underwater, in addition to looking at the amazing surroundings of the terrific Caribbean, just being able to look up towards the surface and think where I was and what I was accomplishing was indescribably and utterly amazing. Broadbeach might seem like another program to go explore the wilderness like so many others but in reality, it is so much more.

This broadreach trip is amazing! It gives you the opportunity to learn in a very hands on and fun style. All of the instructors are very skilled and supportive. This trip has a great balance of education and enjoyment. By the end of this trip you will be a skilled sailor and scuba diver and also have some great memories! Scuba diving ship wrecks, snorkeling with sea turtles, and bioluminescence were truly memorable. I chose the program because it seemed like it had a good intro to scuba and sailing. There were four rooms, two for the girls and two for the boys. Four bathrooms. We always slept outside because it was cooler, there was more room, and we could see the stars. There was a pretty big kitchen and dining area with a sofa and there was a big table outside. All of the instructors were really cool and taught well. It's a good idea to study a bit before you go. There's a really awesome place called Jobeans where you can make your own glass beads.