Caribbean: Marine Biology Voyage

On my Broadreach trip I learned that there's more to life than just the small town I live in. I meant great people with countless incredible stories that if you just listen you gain so much and so much that you would have never gotten if you didn't pay attention. I trusted them and it was an incredible experience to share that not a lot of people can say they've done the same. I think with this trip I just bonded with everyone so well and I'm just so grateful for the people that I had. Looking into my future I gained an outlook that there is more out there and that I should never to limit myself. I learned that taking this trip if i had never risked it I would never have gained this much, this helped me reflex on never having regrets. Another thing about my trip was it made my days a lot more meaningful, and more eventful in my life. It made me appreciate every day for what it is. and the importance of time and how quickly it truly does move

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I have never had so much fun and learned so much in a brief time. I had never scuba dove before, and am now incredible at it and super comfortable. I learned so much in the marine biology courses and sailing lessons. I become best friends with the people there, and find it insane how I could become best friends with random people from around the world in just 17 days. We all still talk almost every day, even after several months. Whenever we are in each others towns/cities we are sure to visit each other. I had the most incredible time of my life, and still miss it every day. Those are memories that will be with me forever, and lessons that I can use every day.

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We got to scuba dive and learn about marine biology and sailing. The dives were definitely my favorite part and it gave us a great chance go put our marine bio knowledge to use! Loved seeing all the turtles and even a nurse shark! It was also so nice living on a boat because we could jump right into the beautiful waters anytime.

Broadreach was such a valuable experience for me on numerous levels. For one, I developed great friendships with such interesting, fun people who, even after a year, I still keep in contact with. I learned so much about myself and my ambitions. The group leaders/coordinators were role models, and nothing slight of truly inspiring. This trip allowed me to understand my passion for marine biology and my desire to pursue it as a career. Also, being in the warm climate and clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea wasn’t too bad either :). Visiting the community in Saba was fascinating, unplugging from the virtual world was relaxing, and living a communal lifestyle on the boat was amazing. I truly thank Broadreach for giving me an experience that I will never forget.

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Before it was ever presented to me, I never imagined I would live with complete strangers on a boat for 21 days. I absolutely loved the experience. I learned so many things both in and outside the classroom. This is a very unique trip, not just because your in the Caribbean, but because you take what you learn and use it in the “field.” We turned the ocean into our own personal classroom and were able to use what we learned to identify fish, plants, and much more! The scenery makes you take the time to live in the moment and be worry-free, in other words, it’s a great way to disconnect from the outside world. Working with the locals showed me how amazing people really are out there. In the places we visited, everyone was so friendly and living it with friends made it that much better. My favorite part of the trip was diving. Before this trip, I never imagined myself scuba diving, it was an incredible experience! The other students on the trip became some of the closest people I know. Other then when we left, there was never a sad moment about the trip. I enjoyed every second of it!

This trip was the most engaging, eye-opening experience of my life. I came home with so many new friends, memories, perspectives, and lessons. One major lesson I learned was just how rewarding it can be to go outside of your comfort zone. If it weren't for moving past this initial state of nerves, I never would have had the opportunity to scuba dive, sail, wake board, body surf, hike, cliff dive, and snorkel. I also would have missed out on valuable lessons about marine biology, conservation, and collecting research. The marine biology lessons were also very impactful and engaging. Because the information was so relevant to where we were living, and because it was taught in a hands on way, I found the learning to be very fun and interesting. There was never a dull moment! At first, I was a little apprehensive about living on a boat, but after just a few days, I learned to love it. While the living quarters were a little close, this was never an issue because everyone quickly became close friends, and it's impossible to feel confined when surrounded by such a vast and expansive entity like the ocean. Another responsibility of living on a boat is consistent cleaning. While this may sound like a tedious chore, it was actually quite fun, especially when we were all laughing, telling stories, and dancing to the music in the background while doing it. I must admit, though, my all time favorite part about living on the boat was having the opportunity to sleep outside if one pleased. I always chose to sleep on the deck of the boat under the stars, because the view was just so incredible. There is nothing better than gazing at a night sky full of stars after a long day of scuba diving, sailing, and studying with newfound friends.

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This summer I journeyed to the Caribbean islands! The trip I did was the Caribbean Marine Biology 21 day Adventure. It was the best thing I have ever done. I met the most amazing people that I can now call family. I made the best of friends that live all around the world and Im still in contact with them and some are actually coming to visit me! I learned so much about myself and especially some great marine biology! I was so sad when it was over because I didnt want to go home. I had the best time with my instructors and my friends! The islands were all so beautiful and the people were amazing. I would definitely recommend this trip! Im planning on doing another trip this summer and i could not be more excited.

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Thank goodness I chose this program over summer school, even if it meant I had more workload during the school year. I was hesitant at first about BroadReach, and wasn't sure which program to choose on their diverse roster of adventures. After contacting the staff and through some email exchanges, I decided that the Carribean Marine Biology Voyage would be the one for me. The three weeks that I spent with the most amazing group of teenagers and instructors cannot be summed up in just one word. "Incredible" wouldn't do nearly enough justice to how amazing this trip was. Every day, for 21 days, I was pushed to my limits while scuba diving, learning about marine bio, taking care of the boat, sailing, and doing community service in a supportive and tight-knit community. To be able to learn about marine biology and all the wonders of the ocean from textbooks and our very intellectual instructor Melissa, then see it all in real life as we go scuba diving in the clear and diverse waters of the Caribbean is an experience not found anywhere else. I was also able to meet people from all over the world and build strong friendships. Apart from being sunburned, and slightly scraped up here and there, BroadReach did an amazing job taking care of us when we got seasick or had staph infections. This program created some of the best memories of my summer and possibly my life as it opened my eyes up to so many new things and wonders. I will forever cherish the three weeks on Nil.

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This trip was such a fantastic experience that I cannot recommend it enough. On this trip you get to meet people from many different places and they become your boat family. You can roll your sleeping bag out under the stars and fall asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat. If you have even the slightest interest in marine biology or the ocean, this is the trip for you. The instructors (marine biologist, scuba instructor, and captain) are so understanding of their fields that you will walk away with so much knowledge, love, and respect for the ocean. The diving was incredible. If you aren't already a certified diver, this is a wonderful place to learn. Everywhere we went the ocean was clear and beautiful, and we saw something interesting on every dive. If you don't know much about sailing this is an awesome opportunity to learn as well. Sailing between islands was always a blast, and I can definitely say that there was never a point on this trip that I felt bored. We volunteered at a coral nursery on the island of Saba and were able to go hiking on the other islands too. Being able to meet people that lived on the other islands was an amazing way to learn about other cultures. If for some reason you are still on the fence about this trip, let this review convince you to go. Never will I regret the time I spent on this trip and the memories I made will be memories I treasure for the rest of my life.

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This trip is a once in a life time opportunity that I would recommend to anyone. I met friends that I would have never met and done things that I would have never tried if I was with my friends. The staff was amazing and made you feel like you were at home.

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I arrived St. Martin a little nervous and anxious but the worry feeling soon went away. The people at broadreach are so outgoing and make you feel like you are apart of there family within just a couple seconds. The instructors and skippers are the most happiest, down to earth, outgoing and caring people in the whole world. If you are in any doubt that your child or yourself shouldn't participate in this adventure, please take my advice. This trip will change the way you see the world. Before I came, I lived in a bubble. I didn't know what the world was about (I'm still learning) but it opened my eyes to so many new possibilities. Now I aspire to travel the world and make a difference. If I never went on this trip I wouldn't be the person I am today, and this is all thanks to Broadreach.

I absolutely loved this experience. this was the first time I've ever been out of the country and I was a little nervous doing it by myself but it wasn't bad at all. The first night was a huge cookout with everyone getting to know each other and check out their new homes. We are on a boat pretty much 24/7 so if boats aren't your thing I wouldn't pick this trip. That being said, there also isn't a whole lot of room in the cabins so you have to be able to share and work with other people. Most people though, like to sleep on the tramps or in the cockpit. The food was pretty good too and if you have any special food needs Broadreach is pretty accommodating. Most of our time was spent learning how to scuba dive and we only really had one lesson on fish so if you are truly looking to learn about marine biology don't choose this trip because you won't really have anything taught to you. Scuba diving is amazing and there is plenty of that. One of my other favorite parts was town time and being able to explore different countries. Also you basically live in your swimsuits so make sure you bring good ones! I would definitely say this or other 12 day trips are great as a first timer if you aren't sure if you want to be away from home for more than 2 weeks. I think this is a great experience no matter what trip you choose. I became very good friends with my group and we still keep in touch! I highly recommend Broadreach to anyone interested in traveling abroad!

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Going on The Marine Biology Voyage in the Caribbean was by far one of best decisions I have ever made in my life. The people I have met and the adventures we have had together in those 24 days of paradise will forever be the best memories I will ever have. The staff were well organized and the schedule for each day was exciting for all of us. Above all I got certified for scuba diving which is a skill I will always have in the many more years to come. I'm very lucky to have gone on the trip and learned about the ecosystems of the ocean. I would highly recommend anybody who is seeking a study abroad go with this program, as it was and will always be an adventure of a lifetime for all to partake in. -Zack

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Honestly, deciding to do a Broadreach trip was the best decision I've ever made. A naturally cautious person, the decision in itself was a leap of faith, but was well worth the risk. We did things during that trip that I never thought I would be able to do. Dove shipwrecks, hiked up volcanoes, sailed across the open seas, all among an amazing group of likeminded kids and supportive adult staffers. Collaboration was very much encouraged between boat mates, and it created a familial environment that was immediately comfortable. The educational portion of the trip was designed to start at the basics, so there wasn't much new stuff for people who have previously taken marine biology courses, but I learned so much about the islands we visited, and the ecosystems we explored that it didn't matter. The dives were amazing, and we encountered some of the coolest creatures I've ever seen, including Caribbean Spiny Lobsters, Nurse Sharks, Barracuda, Octopi, Green Sea Turtles and a ton of others. It's a very intensive, fast paced program, but you will be rewarded with a trip that changes your entire life. Today I am a more adventurous, independent, curious person because of Broadreach. I am not afraid of what lies ahead, I am ready to dive into it flippers first.

There is not a day that goes by that I don't relish in the memories that I was able to have through Broadreach. In the 21 days living on Nala- our catamaran- I made countless friendships, learned an amazing amount of information about the ocean, sailing, and diving, learned valuable leadership skills, and overall had the experience of a lifetime. No two days are exactly alike which 100% filled my craving for adventure. Every day that I'm back home I miss ocean showers, living in our swim suits, diving, hiking on the islands, cooking in that tiny galley, sleeping in my hammock, the constant rocking of the boat, and yes, even swabbing the deck, a little bit more. Every island sailed to had it's own amazing features and I long for the day I can return to each one. My biggest advice is to keep a journal of the things that happen everyday. The days are so chocked full, when you return home it is so great to be able to remember minor details that made each and every day great. At the end of 21 days, you will refer to the bathroom as the head, left and right to port and starboard, and the catamaran to home.

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I've always known I wanted to look into marine biology, so doing something like this trip was a given. I knew it would be very beneficial, and tons of fun, but I never expected it to be the best thing that has ever happened to me. I went into the trip with a lot of anxiety about making friends, or everyone on the boat hating me, but despite a few small episodes of sea-sickness I had on the first night, my boat-mates and I started hitting it off right away. It was amazing to be able to spend time with people who have such similar intrests to me. Not only did I love my boat-mates, but I became close friends with a lot of the kids on our "sister ship", Lady Helen. We sailed to all of the same places and learned all of the same things, so of course we spent time together, and we definitely enjoyed eachother's company. I met some of the best friends I've ever had, and the worst part of the entire trip was having to say goodbye to them. Luckily, we all still keep in touch, and I plan to stay that way forever! Our instructers were immediately some of the most inspirational people I had ever met. I'll be happy if I can be half as amazing as them some day. They took such amazing care of me, and every bump or bruise I ever got. I thought they were cool right away, but once they started teaching, I knew they would be role models for my future. I have never learned so much in a class in a trimester, and in some not even a year, than I learned in those three weeks, and that wasn't all marine biology, which I learned so much about, but sailing, diving, and life skills as well. I even learned to cook! The sailing was exhilerating to say the least. Steering a giant yacht was extremely empowering; I couldn't help but feel like a million bucks. The diving was spectacular. I saw wrecks, sharks, squid, jellyfish, baracudas, a huge sea-worm, an octupus, gigantic lobsters, sting rays, so many other amazing types of fish, as well as an abundance of coral, which I am extremely intrested in. It was great that as we were learning to dive, we were also learning about the things we were seeing in our marine biology lectures. I am not a very attentive person; I fall asleep in class all the time, but I had absolutely no trouble paying attention to these lectures, not only because they were about things I am intrested in, but our teachers made them so much fun! Every single lesson we covered made me consider studying a different part of the ocean. I also loved being able to explore the islands we visited, although I do wish we could have done this some more; we were just too busy learning! I loved hiking volcanos and exploring forts from past wars. I think it's super cool that I can say I've been to the highest point in the Netherlands, even though I've never truly been to the Netherlands. Meeting people and eating foods on these islands was unreal. (I even got to eat at the place Cheesburger in Paradise was written about!) Our excursions were always a blast, whether it was eating crepes in St. Barth's or doing community service on the beautiful island of Saba. I will never forget these moments, these memories, and everything that I learned in the Caribbean. I will never forget sleeping under the stars, or atleast laying under the stars, as I was too busy making memories with these amazing people to sleep. I will never forget taking showers in the ocean while I could see bioluminescence glowing in my hair. I will never forget night diving and seeing an octopus clinging to a rock. I will never forget steering a huge yacht as I watched flying fish jump out of the water. This was truly the sumer of a lifetime, and I will never ever forget it. I would genuinely recommend it to anyone intrested in the ocean, and I would recoment broadreach as a whole to anyone at all.

The Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage was definitely a once in a life time experience that I will never forget. I created lasting friendships, gained new certifications in scuba diving and sailing, and learned so much throughout the entirety of the trip. My peers and instructors made the catamaran feel like home from day one, the atmosphere was like a family. One of the main reasons I chose this particular trip was because I had been interested in Marine Biology for a while and I wanted a hands on learning experience where I could gain even more insight than what I had on what a Marine Biologist does and how it would turn out as a career choice. Broadreach provided an excellent and academically rigorous Marine Biology course, I learned so much! This trip confirmed for me that I want to pursue Marine Biology as a career. Scuba diving was absolutely AMAZING! Nothing will prepare you for the sights you will see on this trip. Every scuba sight we went to was utterly beautiful. I remember slipping beneath the water surface my eyes would be presented with an entirely new world. I saw so many diverse species of fish and being from Colorado (mountain land) that was quite a treat. During the duration of the three weeks I obtained my Advanced Open Water Diver Certification. I did have my Open Water Diver Certification prior to the trip, but on this trip Broadreach students get both their Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver Certification which is very exciting! Sailing was a BIG part in our three week stay on the catamaran. I earned my IYT Sailing Certification which is something that I am very proud of. One of my favorite places on the catamaran was in the helm while we were sailing between islands, steering the ship, and gazing at the horizon across open ocean. We visited seven islands in all, St. Martin (you arrive here), Ile Fource, St. Barts, St. Kitts, Statia, Saba, and Tintamarre. All were beautiful both above and below the water. My Favorite place however would have to be Saba. I choose Saba because it was such a privileged to dive in a Marine Reserve as well as learn about Marine Reserves. We did two community service projects during this trip. One took place at the Botanical Gardens on the island of Statia. We cleared debris from roads and trails and also removed vines from an overgrown wall. We also had a community service project on Saba where we helped to forged a trail. I was especially excited about this element because I love to help out communities. Overall, this trip was an unforgettable experience. It provided me with so much and I learned so much! I loved every minute of it. I highly recommend this program to anybody interested in marine science. This trip was a life changing experience and I hope it is for everyone else as well!

From the age of 5, I have always had a passion for Marine Biology and the Natural World. In my junior year of high school, I wanted to be able to experience studying abroad before I was in college. When I found Broadreach- It seemed too good to be true! I would spend days at school in the library obsessing over the dream of one day embarking on a Broadreach summer trip, wondering if it was really as great as they made it seem. Well, now that I am home from going on the voyage, I can tell you that it was even better than I had expected. The unbelievable experiences that I now cherish from that trip will stay with me forever. The Caribbean environment was more beautiful than one could ever prepare for and I was able to solidify my love for the ocean thanks to Broadreach. Granted, I was very nervous to go. I had never been on a trip without my parents, and they were hesitant to part with me. Also, The idea of living with 12 strangers from around the world was intimidating. I am so grateful to say that not only now are those strangers some of my best friends, but that I still keep in contact with them today. Our instructors were unbelievably personable and easy to talk to. They not only treated us all like adults, but also were some of the most hilarious, intelligent, and inspirational people I have ever met in my lifetime to this day. The studies were rigorous, but I have never enjoyed learning and taking a class more than on this trip. The topics were interesting and relevant and the teachers knew exactly how to communicate to the students. My final word is that if you are considering going on one of these trips, or sending your child on this trip, do it. I found myself and learned what I could do, and it has given me inspiration for the future that has gotten me through the rest of high school. Both my parents and I wouldn't change this experience for the world, and I am so thankful that I did it. Broadreach truly is the perfect study abroad organization, and is even more of a perfect family.

This trip truly changed my life, and I'm not just being cliche here. Personally, it was a huge leap of faith to travel independently 4,000 miles away from home for an entire month, but Broadreach couldn't have been more welcoming and trusting! They managed to fit me on the last spot on the boat as I registered only three weeks before the trip, and they were so great to work with. They know how to run a study-abroad program. Long story short. From day one, to day twenty-one, Broadreach provided an amazing opportunity to learn and grow and find a passion for the ocean. I've never had such hands-on learning before. It was amazing to be taught in this environment by a fantastic, enthusiastic, marine biologist and then get to hop in the beautiful water, two or three times a day to scuba dive and actually interact with what we were studying. ("Studying" being a daily journal as we watched the sunset and listened to the waves). Better yet, we earned certifications that we can apply to future careers in life. Doing community service on the islands was rewarding and getting to see the culture of the islands really opened my eyes to the world. Sailing was quite the adventure sometimes, and yes, required some grit and good attitude, but the group on the boat became a family. We bonded, we learned, we grew, and we became completely different people by the end of the trip. Saying goodbye was the hardest part. I can never thank the program or the people in it enough for the impact it had on me and my future goals.

This trip was honestly the best three weeks of my life. I had never scuba dived before, and getting certified literally opens up a whole new world for you to discover. I even got over my fear of the dark and went night diving, which was amazing. But this trip isn't just about scuba diving. You get to learn about what you see when your diving, and you get to do other things, too. The days when we went on hikes or got to go into a town were some of the best days of the trip. There was one day we even got to go cliff jumping! Since you are living on a boat, everything is always wet, so make sure to bring quick dry towels and lots of Gold Bond! Although boat life took some adjusting to get used to, I found myself sad when I had to go back home and live on land. Being on the boat really helps you for extremely close friendships with the other people on the boat, and I'm really thankful for that!