Broadreach

I loved the Fiji Shark Studies trip as it was a good 'trial' for what I want to do as a career. The trip was amazing starting with the things we learned about sharks, the culture, and the science. My Fiji Shark Studies trip remains one of my favorite trips of all time as I was diving with Bull Sharks almost daily while having two amazing instructors M.G. and Saskia teach us an abundance of diving and shark science!

I had an amazing time on the Middle School Bahamas Broadreach Adventure! I have never experienced anything like it. My counselors were so kind, and made me feel right at home. The community that I and the other campers built was incredible. We learned so much about the animals, as well as the culture in the Bahamas. I am so grateful that I was able to go on this trip.

I've been to many camps before, but this one went above and beyond! It changed my life for 3 weeks completely: from complex school and research to easy-going diving and sailing, from tight schedules to relaxed life on a boat. It refreshed me and gave me the charge to go to the next year of school. I've also found many amazing friends, so next time I'll be in their area I'll come visit! Thanks Broadreach)

Prior to going on my Broadreach trip I was a little nervous going into it, not knowing what I was getting myself into and meeting bunch of “strangers.” Little did I know all the instructors and everyone else were so welcoming and kind spirited, I immediately felt a sense of relief and knew I was gonna have the best time. Learning to scuba dive was my favorite part, I always felt so safe and it was just such an exciting and fun thing to do. Also, living on a boat and learning to sail showed me a new side of myself and the world. It taught me to be so great full for the normal Luxuries like unlimited water and internet but also taught me that you don’t need fancy things to live your best life. Exploring all the islands was so cool, I was immersed so many new cultures I had never experienced, and I loved hiking and exploring. The bond I formed with the people around me, is a bond I will never forget, and by the end of the trip I didn’t wanna leave and was ready to come back as soon as I could.

This trip was really fun, but also a bit stressful. For starters, the living situation was rough. It was too hot to sleep in the cabins, so we had to sleep outside, but it rained every night, and it was difficult for all of us to fit under the covered area. My boat had seven people on it, but some had 12, which must have been really cramped! I loved learning to dive and meeting new people, but I felt a little bit unsupported sometimes. For instance, I got this rash (probably due to the fact that you're only allowed 10 seconds of fresh water to shower with), and I wasn't sure who to go to. I guess I could have gone to my counselors, but I would have rather spoken to someone from the support boat. It was kind of frustrating because, even though they were supposed to be there to support us, we never really had a chance to talk to them. I kind of just wanted to call my mom and ask her what to do. I know that all of our counselors and staff were adults and professionals, but I would have felt more comfortable talking to my mom and having her contact support boat for me. We weren't allowed to wash out hands, we could only use hand sanitizer, and we almost ran out before the trip was over. We washed our dishes in the ocean (although we rinsed them off at the end), and if someone used the bathroom while we were doing dishes, we had to wait for a while. Maybe I'm just not cut out for boat life, but I did have a pretty good time.

This voyage was insane! I had so much fun and new friends that I think I got more memories there than in all of my previous camps. If you will ever go on that trip, get some candy to share with your teammates and counselors (if you do that they might even take you on the unplanned night dive :). I had a lot of fun!!!

Kalvins trip to Curacao this summer was his second Broadreach trip. As a parent, I can say that this program is top-notch and you are giving your child a world of opprotunities by sending them on a Broadreach adventure. Both years my son has come back with so much personal growth. He matures mentally, intellectually, and physically on these trips. As a 14 year old, he was intimidated by the college coursework this summer but excelled at it largely inpart to good instruction. I am thankful for the opprotunities that Broadreach provides, he is already booked to go to Yucatan next summer!

I had an amazing experience for 12 night aboard our boat seeing the Carribbean and snorkeling on all the islands. The food was great overall and I had fun cooking and preparing meals with friends and counselors. I loved sleeping outside on the boat and seeing the amazing stars and night skies. I loved being able to disconnect and just be with peers and the amazing counselors. I learned to sail and want to learn more next summer. Our hikes and our adventures on land were great! I highly recommend this trip and hope to return to Broadreach again soon!

I had a great time in the Bahamas on my trip! We got to go to the local conservation center and learn about all the animals there and how to suture which was one of my favorite parts! Overall it was a great trip and I would recommend it!

When I first decided to go on the adventure of a lifetime, I was terrified but excited at the same time! By the second day the terror went away and I was only left with good friends, lots of learning, and extraordinary adventures. We became close like family by the time we accomplished all our hard worked towards goals, and the experienced gained forever. I would recommend this for everyone, they made it very accommodating and adapted to everyone’s individual situation!

I had so much fun over the course of my three week trip! My instructors were great and I still talk to people from my trip because we got to be so close. We were able to get lots of dives in a got really amazing cultural emergence when we went onto islands.

This trip was amazing!! I loved it so much that I did it twice! Seeing all of the amazing life and islands was insane. Being able to learn how to dive in such a cool place was one of my favorite experiences ever.

This was not the adventure of a lifetime. That’s what I have to keep telling myself, because to acknowledge that I’ll never experience anything like my Broadreach trip again would send me into a bottomless pit of depression. I had found this program 3 years prior and immediately started saving up and dreaming about the trip. I was incredibly fortunate to receive a generous scholarship from broadreach that helped greatly with the costs. My only concern going into the program was that it would be impossible to live up to the expectations I had built over the 1,075 day wait. Somehow, it still exceeded them. Waking up on the island was a dream come true, and never in my life have I been more present in the moment. Learning to SCUBA Dive was such an unbelievable experience: I still picture all the amazing animals I saw underwater and am counting the days until I can dive again. The people there were also absolutely amazing, and we still talk nearly every day. I never felt judged by my peers, and Broadreach makes it so easy to bond and make lifetime friends. The instructors were all great and I found the classes fascinating. We were able to learn so much in such a short time, but it is all very manageable and low-stress. Getting to work with local conservation efforts was very rewarding, and I still can’t fully believe that I’m certified as a coral restoration diver now. If I weren’t aging out, I would absolutely do another trip. To anyone who is even slightly considering broadreach: go for it. You will not regret it.

The trip that i completed could not have gone smoother due to the INCREDIBLE instructors that i had. We bonded instantly and i knew i found my family forever! It is organized so nicely and everyone is so welcoming. I well be doing broadreach until i can become an instructor

Broadreach showed me what it’s really like to live outside of America in a completely different country. I learned so many life skills as well as learning about sharks. Since broadreach I realized I truly want to be a marine biologist. I wasn’t sure if that was really what I wanted until I was able to be hands on and living the life of a shark biologist for a month.

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

This trip was truly everything I had hoped it was and so much more, and although it may sound cheesy, this trip truly did change my life forever. This trip taught me, someone who has always thought they would become a veterinarian, that really working as a veterinarian is very different than just in the pictures. This trip provides in-depth experiences working as, and with, veterinarians in an every day setting. Even after realizing that being a veterinarian wasn’t for me, I still enjoyed every moment of this trip from beginning to end. The activities when working with animals was hands on every step of the way. Even lectures were super engaging and fun. We worked with animals in so many different kinds of environments, which is really what helped guide me into what category I wanted to work in. For example; when working with horses, we were split into groups to practice veterinary care, and go on a fantastic horseback ride through the Costa Rican wilderness. We were also able to learn basic behavior about the horse, and then in turn how to use horse behavior when communicating with the horse. The community that I had on my trip was truly like no other I had ever experienced, everyone got along and by the third day everyone was like family. I was extremely nervous going on this trip, especially going by myself, but I will tell you that participating in this trip will be one of the best experiences of your entire life. Not only is this trip educational, but it also involves a ton of fun! And the best part is you have your best friends to do it with you every step of the way. If you have any interest in veterinary work, or even if you don’t, I would highly recommend going on this trip. You will never forget it.

It was such a great experience and the perfect balance of academics and activities. We got to learn so much about Curacao and experience so many new and unique opportunities. We were able to learn about culture and things happening on the island. The activities were great and I learned a lot

The whole trip was so amazing, I loved every second! My favorite part was definitely learning to scuba dive and seeing all of the turtles. It was a little disappointing that we were unable to go to Saba because of a storm but we still had a lot of fun. In replacement for the Saba land day we went to st.Martin and all got Shawarma for lunch. We went scuba diving at least once a day and saw stingray, starfish, urchins, Sandollars, small fish, and even a shark! My favorite dive was one of our last, during this dive we didn’t wear our fins and we were blowing ring bubbles and doing back flips. Overall I though this trip was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend!

the turtle conservation project was great, i went at the end of the turtle season so very very layed back we had a lot of down time which was good in some ways but did get a little slow at times. my host family was amazing and the other volenteers were so fun! just be sure to bring lots of entertainment besides a phone! the turtle work can also be a little stinky at times so be prepaired for that. but overall totally worth it!!

Broadreach provided an amazing learning environment for scuba diving and academic learning about marine biology. My daughter loved the combination of classwork and scuba diving and excursions to other places near the Marine Biology Center in Curacao. She had so much fun and made friends that she still keeps in touch with. She will be going another Broardreach program next summer.

Working with Broadreach was a seamless process that clearly comes from experience. From the administration to the actual trip leaders, we always felt connected and that our child was safe. Our 13 year old came home with more confidence and an excitement for travel. Now that he has completed his level 1 scuba certification, he is ready to get his advanced diving so that he can use it to volunteer in the shark tank at the local aquarium. He made friends from around the world and saw parts of the Caribbean only known to the locals. Thank you Broadreach for taking such wonderful care of our child and opening his eyes to the world.

I went to broadreach during 2021, during a lot of COVID cases. I felt safe and healthy during the camp, and there were tests when we needed them. I also loved the sailing and scuba combination, and I enjoyed most of my time during the camp. I am going back a year later, and am so grateful for all the amazing experiences I had and friendships I'll have for a long time.

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.

This was my second Broadreach trip living on a boat. Last year (2021) I did the advanced scuba and sailing in st. Martin. This trip was incredible with amazing scenery, delicious food, and sunsets that are irreplaceable. Living on a boat is where I feel like I belong most. All the people were amazing. I would go back in a heartbeat. It's not camp, its home.

She loved the sailing and learned a lot about scuba diving. It was also a good opportunity for her to be on her own without her parents making all the decisions. Things were well coordinated and ran on time.

My trip was incredible! My boat was amazing. The activities we did were very very enjoyable. My instructors were the best. They were so fun but at the same time always kept us safe! This summer was truly a dream and I will be doing Broadreach until I am an instructor! I could not have asked for a better trip!

Message to Broad Reach HYGIENE: First of all, I wanted to thank Broad Reach for the opportunities that were presented during the duration of my 12 day sailing and scuba trip. Sitting here today, I am appreciative that I was able to experience the good and the bad. Unfortunately, the cons deceivingly out weighed the pros. My goal is to keep my review as short as possible, because I am sure that I am not the only person that sees the astonishing amount of flaws fluent in Broad Reach. I chose to attend Broad Reach’s program in order to pursue exploring God’s creation and my interests. Each and every person had their own motives in why they wanted to attend. However, for the people I talked to, each one of them expressed their concerns about the health and well-being of every participant. Approaching and boarding the boat I was highly impressed with how clean and organized everything seemed. Far above my perception, I was rudely awakened with the comment stated on the second day by one of my instructors; “It is Broad Reach, everything breaks”. At first the comment flew over my head and didn’t hold such magnitude. This was until the first occurrence of the human feces and the sewage problem. I speak for everyone when I say it is our job take accountability; however, this was far to long for this to be a students problem. By the fourth day, the smell aboard was horrific to the point where we no longer could stay in our rooms for more than 2 minutes. The smell from the cabin had traveled to the saloon. To put yourselves in our shoes, imagine after a long day, you sit down to eat dinner and all you can fathom and smell is human waste. This is the last thing my parents want to hear and I want to experience after paying thousands of dollars. The sewage problem became so repetitive to the point were one of the instructors had to blow the sewage out of the pipe with an air tank. Like seriously?? These instructors didn’t sign up to blow human feces out of a sewage pipe. Then for me to have to go into my cabin room (shared amongst 5 girls) and clean a pipe leak consisting of a mixture of menstruation blood, human feces and urine off the wall is beyond me. Since there is only one bed for five girls you then have to become creative with how you will sleep. Majority of the boat would sleep on the floors of the kitchen. Which is fine, until you realize earlier that day there was human feces and sewage water all over it. Not once was that floor thoroughly disinfected. With all honesty, since this was part of my Broad Reach experience maybe you should include this in the description before people sign up. This is indefinitely known as false advertisement. FOOD: Changing paths, the ratio between the amount of calories I burned and consumed is drastically higher. I woke up hungry and went to sleep hungry every single day. Scientifically men need to consume more calories than woman (9 men and 6 total women on the boat), so the men needed to consume more of the food. I seriously felt as if I was slowly deteriorating. For the last 12 days I practically lived off of turkey and cheese sandwich’s, Nutella and peanut butter sandwiches. Unfortunately, I can’t recall the the last meal I ate on the boat that consisted of a fair balance of protein, starch’s, and vegetables. Everyone on the boat was constantly hungry, tired, and deprived of valuable nutrients. There were multiple days we I ate Nutella(purchased by one the students) for breakfast and lunch. I skipped breakfast many days because eating off-brand fruity pebbles and warm milk would make me feel more tired than just not eating at all. Three days in a row I vividly remember not eating breakfast. On day 12, all we had left was cheese puffs and stale cheerios for breakfast. One of the instructor’s refused to let us go off the docked boat to get a meal, which resulted in people leaving to eat a some-what nutritious meal because of how deprived of food they were. Many people came up to me and told me how bad there stomach and head was hurting from eating carb filled food for 12 days straight. I experienced headaches like nothing before, because of YOUR chosen diets. It doesn’t take a genius to incorporate nutrients in our daily meals. There can always be room for improvement, but the first step in growing is taking accountability and clearly Broad Reach didn’t do so. SAFETY: Wow, I don’t even know where to start or what to say that can compensate for the amount of times laziness outweighed the well-being of all 12 persons. The amount of times my trip was conflicted against or put at risk because of the pitiful, conscious, and congruent knowledge the instructors held was astonishing. Lets start off with my personal favorite when during our sail back from Saba the girls cabin ceiling fell. Instead of the ceiling being removed from our room for safety reasons, the instructors decided the leave it in there. Even better, after saying for hours they will take it out, they decide the place it in the walk way between our room and there room. This caused us to not be able to close our door for the duration of the trip(even when changing). This perfectly leads me to my other problem. A roll of paper towels was left in our room after cleaning the bathroom floors. As instructed, I was told to wipe the counters down so I went down to our bathroom to grab the paper towels. As I proceeded to step into the bathroom and reached for the paper towels, the bathroom door completely collapsed on me. Yes, at first it was funny; however, we need to look a the potential harm this could’ve caused. If it hit me any harder I could have been left with an injury that could have been prevented if the screw in the door was screwed on correctly. I am completely aware that these boats are not Broad Reach’s, they belong to Dream Yacht. However, these boats are a huge representation of your company. Ergo, you should be completely aware of the recurring problems. I know these problems are reoccurring because an instructor had passed down this information. Read as follows: “We submit list’s regarding the problems but they don’t ever fix them and just send the next group on the boat while knowing about the problems.” Is that how you want your company to be represented? I’ve been on this earth for 16 years and never have I ever heard any company display such disregard to safety, especially with children. DISREGARD FOR VALUABLE HUMAN LIFE: I chose to attend this trip with two of my best friends; whom I care about deeply. Seeing the negligent circumstances my friend was put in was pathetic. I believe it was the sixth day of our trip, when my friend had lost the ability to breath. We were about 40 feet underwater when her air had ran out. There was a malfunction in the SPG. One moment it said 500 PSI left and the next it was 0. There was no time to respond in the life-threatening situation. Fortunately, she was able to do an emergency dissent; however as she reached the surface, she was left with a bloody nose and felt an extreme loss of oxygen. She stated as follows, “I felt really lightheaded as I got to the surface and I realized I had a bloody nose. It wasn’t till one hour did I feel ‘normal’ again”. I am fully aware that accidents happen but this happened to her twice back to back. My friend had consulted with one of the scuba instructors to figure out why she always feels as if she’s gasping for air. She had told her two things, “you are breathing too much” and that “the valve was closed alittle much and/or you had opened it”. That was clearly not the case, and there was more to the story but she was too lazy to handle it. Becuase of her lack and disregard to human safety my friends life was at risk. This is another prime example of child reckless endangerment. I am truly appalled that I would even have to include this in my review. Coming on to this trip Virginia, (from Broad Reach head quarters in Raleigh, North Carolina) explicitly told me safety is their number one priority and never to question their safety because we will always be in good hands and they are very proud of their plans they put in place to keep each one of their students healthy. Virginia, I don’t think this instance backs up your claim extremely well. Maybe you should rethink your boastful and overly confident claim before stating it. TIME AND PLACE: In the last decade, politics have had a huge uprising and finds itself in a lot of conversations, in our present day society. However, there is a time and place for everything and a boat with a bunch of children on it is not a place that it should be occurring on. There was a handful of times where political and religious topics were brought up. No matter what side of the spectrum you stand on, there should never be bashing of another side. I, myself, identify as a Christian and there was multiple times where a student would say “F**k Jesus” on the boat. The counselors would hear it but not do anything about it. This boat is meant to be an inclusive space where people all around the world come with different nationalities, races, religious backgrounds, ethnicities, and all can be treated as one. Unfortunately for me, I did not always feel as if my background morals were being respected. In addition, one of the counselors had brought up how there are many shootings in America. That is true, but you do not bash one’s country and talk down upon it because of an issue that has nothing to do with what I signed up for. Again, there’s a time and place for everything, political/religious conversations have nothing to do with scuba diving and sailing, ergo they should’ve never occurred. The conversation should’ve been shut down right away to avoid offending someone. Unfortunately, the lack of disregard to human morals was absurd. PRIVACY: The female scuba instructor had no regard for peoples private information. There were multiple times when private information such as prescriptions and medical records, were left out. They were not put away in sight, instead, they would sit out and completely open in front of the whole boat. This is extremely disgraceful that the public had access and insight to people medical prescriptions and records. Throughout my review, I try my best to stay consistent and only present the facts. I am writing this so other parents and children can obtain insight on the disgraceful occurrences that happen when participating in a Broad Reach trip. I genuinely want the best for each and every individual and I do not think by participating in a Broad Reach trip will account for your valuable and worthy life. I hope you take in my review with great consideration. Lastly, for you Broad Reach, DO BETTER.

I had such a fun time getting SCUBA certified and learning how to sail. I met people that had became my family for 21 days and that I will remember and talk to for a very long time. I had such a fun time and will never forget this life changing experience.

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.

I had the time of my life on this trip and made many lifelong friends who I still stay in contact with. The views above water and Underwater and amazing and unforgettable. The drift diving is amazing as you float through the reefs, glancing over at the beautiful turtles, sharks, and abundance of fish in the reefs. The islands we visited were so beautiful and the beaches as well. Make sure to bring big repellent for Holbox though because there are many bugs!! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to go on this trip and if you have the opportunity to go, I recommend that you do because you won’t regret it.

Last summer I went on the Yucatan Advanced Scuba trip and had the time of my life. I was nervous at first, as always, but I shouldn’t have been because everyone was so friendly from the beginning. As soon as I landed, I met up with the group and everyone slowly started talking to each other, but by the end of the night it felt like we knew each other forever. The instructors were so helpful and supportive of me when I got ear an ear infection and offered to take me out for the day so I had something enjoyable to do. There’s nothing to be worried about because the instructors and the people are amazing. Did I mention the whale sharks?!?! Such beautiful creatures as we saw at least five different ones swimming near the boat. The reefs and the drift diving are amazing as well!!! If you have the opportunity to go on this trip, I recommend that you do because I had the time of my life!

March 23, 2019 I went on this trip last summer, summer of 2018. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect. I was clearly excited, yet also nervous. To add on, my mom informed me about a month before the trip that I was the only girl going. This, of course, shocked me, and as my young middle school mind worked, I thought the guys would be just like my brothers (annoying and not fun). However, they did, in fact, turn out to be my brothers, in a different way, a better way. They were my brothers in the sense that they were always there for me. We all became so close, and to this day, I keep in touch with most of them. It is having more family, friends that are so close that you consider them a part of your family. I discovered that the memories and experiences we created on this trip will last a lifetime and that boys aren't all that bad. Concerning the actual trip, it was so incredibly well planned. Our instructors were like our parents, and lead us throughout Mexico with ease and safety. The locals we met, dives we went on, and fellow scuba divers made this trip so much more exciting. The places we stayed at were so comfortable yet natural, and that actual dives were breathtaking. All in all, I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who is short on time but wants to become an Advanced Scuba Diver. You will have the time of your life!

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.

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.

I've never had an experience like I did this summer on my Broadreach trip. There have been many times when we were sailing and I was sitting atop the boat, and when I closed my eyes I felt like I was flying. That exhilarating feeling is something I've only been able to associate with my Broadreach trip, and why I am willing to do anything to relive those feelings and go back. Another aspect that added to the experience was actually the removal of another: my phone. I did not realize how much we as a society get sucked up into our phones. We are so distracted by where we need to go and what we need to do next that we forget to look up and look around at what beauty surrounds us. It was on this trip that for the first time in forever that I simply sat and enjoyed my surroundings, from listening to the bleating goats in the mountains to gazing at the stars and feeling the boat rocking underneath me. While I have been living on this Earth for seventeen years, it wasn't until Broadreach that I really saw the beauty in what surrounded me. Broadreach helped me grow not just in how I see the world, but how I operate in it. I had never traveled internationally before without my parents, and in a lot of ways I was too dependent on my parents for a (then) sixteen-year-old, but Broadreach helped me grow to show leadership and independence. While we were on the trip each one of us volunteered to be the leader of the day, and when it was my turn I was forced to step up, and while it originally made me uncomfortable it taught me some much-needed skills. In addition to those skills, which can be applicable to everyday life and possibly for jobs in the future, I also gained so much knowledge about marine biology. One major reason I wanted to go on a Broadreach trip, was that I'd been considering a career as a marine life veterinarian ever since I saw the movie "Dolphin Tale". With the process of applying to college starting soon, I wanted to figure out if a marine life veterinarian was the proper career path for me, and I thought with the exposure I'd get from Broadreach, I'd be able to discern if I should change my major before I apply to college. It was thanks to Broadreach that I was able to find my passion and a career where I could see myself being happy to go to work every day. All of this does not top the fact that I made some amazing memories and some even more amazing friends. Nothing can bring you together faster than being stuck together on a boat, and that is how I found 13 amazing new friends. Even though we had only known each other for three weeks, I feel like I've known them for a lifetime, and now I can't imagine my life without knowing them.

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!

I participated in this trip in the summer of 2018 mainly as an opportunity to connect with the ocean and explore some of my interests I am otherwise not as exposed to in urban Shanghai, specifically diving and marine biology. Personally, I found (and still find it) unlikely that I go into the field, but I can say without a doubt that my time on this program has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in a long time. Needless to say, the site was fantastic with clear blue skies and abundant marine life. More importantly than that however, the nature of the trip and the way it's designed amplified the experience. For me, the one word that best captures the program is authentic. I was surrounded by some of the most passionate people I have ever met from my peers to my instructors. I was exposed to real researchers with real projects in a real research station. I explored the underwater world and studied it in the most direct way possible: diving. The authenticity of it all ensured that all the passion and wonder from my surroundings and the people around me was contagious. It was truly a joy to be a part of this world, and I have certainly been invigorated to explore more of it.

I have now been on three amazing Broadreach trips. All three were in the Caribbean, sailing and diving and all three have left me with incredible life-long memories and friendships. My first trip was also my first trip on my own (without parents). I was in 7th grade and a little nervous about sailing night and day, meeting all new people and doing multiple scuba dives. My worry was wasted. The first day of sailing on a Broadreach trip is both exciting and pretty awe-inspiring. The beautiful water, meeting new fun-loving friends, jumping off the boat to snorkel, the can't-be-beat staff (who know how to have fun and make you feel welcome) all made me forget I had been nervous at all! These incredible trips managed to give me a boost of confidence socially and a much bigger appreciation for the ocean and the natural world at large. From night dives with turtles and cuttlefish to knee-barding with Uber Dan, morning hikes (and ice-cream) in St. Barts, bonfires, late night chats, prank wars with other boats, discovering (and diving) the island of Saba, community service and connection to insanely awesome friends, counselors and boat support staff; they were life-changing, life-affirming experiences. All in all, Broadreach rocks!

This trip was my second Broadreach trip, and I went into it thinking that it couldn't possibly be better than the previous trip. I was proven so extremely wrong! This trip not only improved my conversational Spanish, but it gave me friends for life. The hike to Choquequiroau was one of, if not the most, physically challenging things I have ever had to endure, but the scenery, and the feeling you get from staring out into the beautiful mountains in front of you, is something one cannot put to words. Those nights under the stars, huddled in a blanket and sharing stories with my group mates, was one of my fondest memories. Peru is a beautiful country and there is no other way to experience the true beauty of it than to live in it for 5 days. The Amazon, though buggy and crazy hot, is the most fascinating thing one will see. The people were so friendly and kind, and the food was amazing! Whatever you do, you HAVE to take a nap in the hammocks, the pure amazingness of that nap was beyond words. Before you know it, you will begin to think of good old Cusco, as home. I still miss the people and the amazing vibe that you get from it/them. If I could go back to Peru, I would. I immediately fell in love with that beautiful country, and you will too.

I participated to two Broadreach diving programs, one in St Martin and one in Bonaire. Thanks to Broadreach, I have discovered a whole new life under water that brings me joy and peace and made me both aware and concerned about oceanic pollution around the world. “Enjoy the present moment” is a philosophy which I fully understood the l meaning during a Broadreach dive. Support What I really like about Broadreach’s programs is that we were like a family. When you have a problem orsome difficulties, there is always someone trustful to help you. I am originally French speaking and I don’t speak perfectly English so sometimes I had some difficulties but I always got support. The staffs were skilled and twice truly fantastic people on a human level (shout out to Kris). They really like what they do and their good vides are contagious for the whole group. They are very knowledgeable about marine biology so you learn a lot within a short time. Besides diving we went windsurfiwindsurfing, made hikes, paid visit to NGO’s, communities and villages,… And this year we climbed a mountain the sight was just incredible. Horizon Thanks to Broadreach, I am now planning to follow that path by becoming a dive master and an instructor. See you soon. Nino Meessen

Hands down the most amazing experience of my life. As soon as I saw this trip, I knew I had to go on it. My expectations for this trip were high, but everything I encountered exceeded my expectations. If you are interested in animals or the environment, this trip is the one for you. This program gives you experiences that you can't find anywhere else and gives you the chance to have hands-on experience with animals and conservation work. You will meet people with similar interests to you and you will make friends that you will never forget. Most memorable moments: seeing baby turtles hatch and cheering them on as they scuttled to the sea, watching three sperm whales surface 20 meters from me, and singing songs with the amazing friends I met on this trip. This trip also leads to self discovery. I know that conservation is my passion and that I want to follow a career path that focuses on it. If you have the chance, go on this trip. You won't regret it.

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.

Going to Costa Rica this past summer was one of the best decisions I have ever made. In 12 days, I learned so much about the whole scope of medicine. We had lessons ranging from Public Health and Global Health to specifics of the heart and how it functions. As an aspiring cardiovascular surgeon, learning CPR and heart anatomy was incredibly interesting, and I don't think I've ever been more excited to be learning. I got to learn some Spanish along the way as well, which I loved! The people we met both at the clinic where we worked and at our first few bonding activities (white water rafting and waterfall repelling!) were incredible. The food was amazing, and the places that we stayed were beautiful. At one of our accommodations, every room had a hammock just outside, and it was so nice to sit and hang out with the rest of the group there. My trip leaders were so kind, energetic, positive, and insanely intelligent. If you think you're interested in medicine and want to have one of the greatest summers of your life, I would highly recommend this program!

This trip was amazing. From snorkeling between tectonic plates to exploring the town we were staying in to going to an Icelandic movie that is shown every night in the same theater, the trip exceeded my expectations and I feel as though I have thoroughly experienced Iceland. I not only was able to have an incredible time in Iceland, but I was also able to take many new skills home. My photography skills have improved tremendously and I am more eager to go out and take more photos. Also, I was able to take home a new found confidence. I now feel comfortable expressing who I am and I am more eager to try new things. I have put my favorite photos on my wall and now when I look at them everyday I am reminded of the great friends I made, the amazing country, and the once in a life time experiences.

This program was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I got to learn about veterinary medicine and enjoy the company of a bunch of amazing people. If you want to be a vet one day I highly suggest going on this program.

The program was absolutely amazing. I have made friends that I am still in communication with 3 months after the trip, and I have learns so much about the field that I wish to go into one day. Traveling on my own was a lot easier than I had first expected, the flights were timed out so that I had plenty of time to get to my gate. One of the best experience of my life. Truly a once in a lifetime experience. I also got to learn about veterinary medicine and enjoy the company of a bunch of amazing people. If you want to be a vet one day I highly suggest going on this program.

Before I left for Ecuador, I was nervous for what was to come. I didn’t know what to expect, and since I am normally scared of the unknown, I started to expect the worst. The strange thing was right when I got to the airport and met the other students, my nervousness had disappeared. I was no longer scared for the unknown and I immediately felt excited for what was to come. My trip to Ecuador was the best time of my life. I have never been so happy as I was during those three weeks and I miss every second of it. After two months of being apart, my friends and I are still in touch and we talk on a daily basis. I am so thankful for this opportunity that I was given to go on a trip to Ecuador with 11 other students from around the US because not only have I grown tremendously but I now have another family with whom I share everything and feel comfortable.

This trip was absolutely fantastic. Some of the best dives I have ever gone on in my life were on this trip. I was blown away by the spectacular coral, the nudibranchs, and the manta rays which were definitely the highlight of the trip. Besides the diving what really sets this trip apart is the cultural activities like going to local temples, visiting the Royal Palace, and silversmithing classes with local craftsman. It was really emphasized that we act like travelers, not tourists, by respecting local traditions. This made our interactions with the locals genuine and significantly better. By staying in small, beautiful, and locally owned hotels further made us feel like travelers who really became immersed in the balinese culture. I came back from this trip not only a better diver, but also with an appreciation for Balinese culture. Not to mention friends that will last a lifetime!

I participated in the Broadreach Fiji Shark Behavior and Conservation program as a study abroad opportunity the summer before my senior year of undergrad. I had such an amazing time! The academics and research opportunities were fantastic, and the shark behavior and conservation course helped me with my undergraduate academics my senior year and also currently in veterinary school. The organization of the program and the instructors were wonderful. I made so many close friends both in the Broadreach program and in Fiji, and we have still visited each other across the country a year and a half later! I would highly recommend this program to any veterinary students, marine biology students, shark enthusiasts, and SCUBA divers! Definitely the best experience of my life!

I went on this trip last summer and would definitely do it again! My instructors were amazing and from day one I had great experiences. The places we stayed were always clean and awesome. Diving in Cozumel was a once in a lifetime experience and I would love to see it again. The whale shark diving in Isla Holbox was out of this world and I found the opportunity spectacular. One of my favorite parts of this trips was the cenote diving which I had never experienced before this trip, and you couldn't find many other places. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone interested in furthering their diving certifications and experiencing something new and exciting!

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.

I had an experience of a life time!! I got there hesitant, but I stepped foot off the plane and all the instructors were so warm and welcoming. Living on a boat was such a fun and new thing to do, and everything was so well organized and prepared. The dives were all extraordinary!! Sam, Lex and Simon were such a riot to be around, and still completely knew what they were doing. I especially enjoyed going on the self led dives. Over all I would do it agin in a heartbeat!

Although my group of all girls struggled a little bit with getting along, this helped us grow stronger with the other skills we were learning. We were working on the Emergency First Responder course and because I was already EFR certified, I had a role on this trip I was new to. I found myself helping out with the instructors and becoming more of a leader for the group. I was surprised and excited with how much I have learned and how much I was able to share. Of course, the diving and the house were both beyond amazing. We felt at home quickly in the small, dense community FILLED with diving and cool nature! I won't forget this trip because of the opportunity I got to become a strong leader, and the opportunity we got to be a stronger group in such a diving focused community.

I had an amazing time on this trip. My instructors were all so fun in their own ways and when I was having ear troubles, they were super accommodating and helpful. Even though our group had only eight students, it made it so much easier to get to know one another and we all got really close. All the diving was amazing, and the instructors made me and the other uncertified students feel confident. Everything was super organized, and the office people are there to answer all your questions and the portal provides a ton of helpful information. If you're considering going on a Broadreach trip, do it! Pocket family forever ❤️

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.

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.

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.

Diving has always been a huge part of my life, and I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to get into it on a professional level. This was my second Broadreach trip and it did not disappoint. The faculty and other students were amazing to work with and really helped push me through the fast track of both courses all while having boatloads of fun. Truly life-changing and very much prepared me for a career in diving.

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!

I would be lying if I didn't tell you that this was the best summer experience I have ever had, and I have had many! Broadreach went above and beyond in making this a unique program that not only includes learning Spanish through cultural immersion and earning your WFA (Wilderness First Aid) certification but also meeting friends and having experiences that you will have and cherish for a lifetime. My group leaders quickly became the coolest adopted parents I have had and my friends on program became the siblings I have never had. Being an only child, I got the taste of what it feels like to have six other siblings and can honestly say I have been missing out. We have countless memories from being in the classrooms in Cotopaxi and Montañita and gong on adventures in Quito and Baños. I couldn't imagine a better way to spend my summer and I hope you will consider spending yours the way I did mine!

My time in Belize was one that I will never forget. Belize is a place a now hold dear in my heart along and so are the people I met. The courses for the certification were challenging but so incredibly fulfilling when completed. I would not change one thing about my experience. I love Broadreach!!

When I was 17 I went on the Grenadines voyage with Broadreach; to this day, 5 years later, as a 22 year old this summer was the turning point for me in my life. I have to say that the Grenadines voyage is a trip that you will never forget - it is still fresh in my memory. Weather it was hiking the Quil Volcano in Statia, the pirate's cove on Saint Vincent, or the sailing itself this adventure will give you whatever you are chasing in the Caribbean. For me the opportunity to sail was my most memorable opportunity, I had the pleasure of having an incredible leadership team. I learned a lot from the leaders and my peers; you will meet the most amazing people from all over the world. The diving was incredible; I also participated in the Leeward Islands program and had the opportunity to dive there as well. The diving in the Windward Islands is breathtaking; but, the training Broadreach provided was world class. I feel so comfortable with diving and sailing now, my friends look to me for guidance on diving sites and material. My biggest takeaway from this quite literal summer in paradise is hard to pin point; but, if i had to pick one it would be looking up at those clear caribbean stars. Laying on the Catamaran net staring up at this web of infinite beauty was like traveling back in time to a simpler place. Get away from the rat race, if not forever - do it just for a summer with Broadreach in the Grenadines. The best decision I ever made.

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!

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.

I had never been away on a lengthy trip by myself so I was reluctant to go at first, but my fears were quickly replaced with excitement the first night I arrived in the Caribbean. The moment I arrived I met the 11 other kids that would serve as my family for 3 weeks. It was so fun working together to accomplish our basic daily goals such as making breakfast lunch and dinner, keeping the boat clean, and everything it takes to have a functional catamaran. Everyday was different they varied with new diving goals, hikes, land adventures, and windy sails. We got to experience so many beautiful beaches, islands, sunrises, sunsets, and different cultures. I learned so much about myself. I realized that I am capable of doing more than I thought that I could by myself and that any goal is attainable.

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!!

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.

Broadreach was no doubt the best decision I've ever made. The islands were the most beautiful places I've ever been but I miss my Broadreach family even more. The instructors will soon became family and the weird strangers I was wary of at first became very close siblings. Will never forget the people, places, and will never forget Broadreach.

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 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 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!

Deciding to participate in the Veterinary Medicine program through Broadreach was undoubtedly one of the best decisions of my life! From gaining valuable college credits while learning about applicable veterinary topics to actually getting hands-on experience with an incredible variety of animals, there were so many opportunities that I never would have been lucky enough to experience without this Broadreach program. Everyday was a new adventure filled with memories that I will never forget, and I got to share all of these memories with a small group of amazing people that shared my passion for helping animals. Between the moments spent interacting up-close and personal with wild animals, learning from the most inspirational advisors and classmates I have ever met, adventuring though the jungles of Costa Rica, and tasting the most delicious pineapple and coffee that I still miss everyday, I would not trade this experience for the world.

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

I can honestly say that my trip with Broadreach has been one of the best experiences in life! As an only child who lives in New York City, I don't really get challenged that much by my environment. Broadreach forced me out of my comfort zones and made me become a flexible, open-minded person that I am today. With eleven other people on the boat, things can get pretty tough sometimes when people fight or drama happens. On the boat, I was able to learn how to deal with a tension and resolve issues with other people. By living solely on a boat for three weeks, I learned how to adapt to my surroundings and be flexible with what's given to me. Lastly, I got to experience new opinions (some that I disagreed with) which is something that is very rare in New York City. By hearing them, I learned how to be open minded because it made me realize that there was more than just the opinion I had heard from most of the other people I knew. I'm not going to lie, being on the boat was really hard, but I think I'm a better person because of it. Unfortunately, in the middle of the trip I got an ear infection and had to go to the doctor multiple times and sit out of all of the later dives. Despite the unlucky situation, Broadreach handled everything really well. My mother was well informed with daily updates on what was happening and the doctors on the islands were able to give me ear drops to make the infection go away. The instructors were so helpful and amazing during this experience because even though I was disappointed about missing the dives, they always seemed to cheer me up and find activities for me to do. I was never bored with multiple things to do like wake boarding, making brownies, and learning more about sailing. Even though I did miss a couple days, I can still say that this trip has been truly amazing and that Broadreach turned what could've been a terrible trip into something amazing! Thank you to T, Christina, and Rosie for being amazing instructors! Thank you Broadreach for making my summer so incredible!

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!!

I cannot adequately describe what an incredible experience Broadreach's Ecuador and Galápagos Biodiversity program was; it exceeded my expectations in every way. As someone who had never done much traveling outside of the US, I thought Broadreach did an incredible job of immersing students in the rich culture, but also balancing that with academics and fun. The academic experience was amazing. The program was catered exactly to student's interests, but even if students did not have a passionate interest in biodiversity and conservative, I believe the program would still be interesting and very practical knowledge to have. Though we did formal academic lessons and tests, we had the priceless ability to apply our knowledge outside of the classroom each and every day. I remember one lesson learning about how the Andes mountains were formed, and then stepping out on an excursion with the group later that day in Alto Coca to see a waterfall formed as a byproduct of the subduction we had just discussed. Additionally, we were able to conduct our own research on the Galápagos in an area of our own interests. In believe this is an amazing way to engage students, and allows them to develop their own interest which can be extremely useful in picking a path to follow into college- and I speak from experience! As great as the academics were, the rest of the program was equally as incredible. I never felt unsafe on the program, yet we had so much freedom that if made the program feel less like a "summer camp" and more like a group of friends traveling together. Our instructors were amazing, and added to the group dynamic so well; they felt like fellow members of our class rather than our guardians, and they were by far some of the best friends we all made over the course of the trip. Each location we stayed at along the way was so unique and incredible. I was pleasantly surprised at the efforts Broadreach made to stay off the beaten path in order to avoid being too touristy. We practiced being travelers instead, making decisions that were not only good for the people of Ecuador, but also the environment. To further benefit our travel experience, Broadreach made the effort to have us stay in amazing research facilities that worked alongside universities such as Universidad San Francisco de Quito and UNC Chapel Hill which gave students the experience of working in a somewhat university like setting, but in a less intensive manner. I went into Broadreach not knowing what I wanted to pursue after High School, but the amazing instruction I got and the passionate people we met along the way made my path clear, and helped me pick a college major and allowed me to determine what I believed were the most important factors of college education were. Finally, the people I traveled with made the trip the best it could possibly be. Of the eight of us on the trip, 3 lived in big cities, 3 in suburbs, and 2 in the country. Of those eight, 5 lived in the USA, and 3 were from other countries. Nevertheless, our group came together and crossed cultural and social barriers to become what can only be classified as a family. I still keep in contact with every member of my Broadreach trip, as well as some of the other people we met along the way. Undoubtedly, they are some of my closest friends and my life would be incomplete without them. Overall, I would highly recommend Broadreach's Ecuador and Galápagos Biodiversity program, or any of Broadreach's programs. Though it may sound cliché, their programs are life changing, and I could not speak more highly of my experiences.

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!

No matter how nervous or hesitant you are, whether it's about traveling, safety, or the social aspect of the trip, I strongly encourage you to enroll for this trip! It's a really good introduction to experiencing new things that may be outside of your comfort zone. traveling wasn't really an issue at all for me; Broadreach does a great job of making sure the student feels comfortable and prepared to navigate the airport and meet up with the rest of the group. safety wise, the reason my quite protective mom let me go on this trip was because of the safety measures that are taken. my leaders were super qualified and valued safety above all else. To shed some light on the social aspect of the program, I clicked instantly with my group even though we were all so different. having a smaller number of people was so nice because everyone became so closely knit... We were all inseparable by the end. one of my favorite memories was after the last movie in our legendary Rocky marathon. We all brought our trusty blankets, pillows and snacks outside. we then all laid down on the ground and looked at the stars and had super philosophical conversations. it was awesome.

I went on the 12-Day Carribean Marine Biology Voyage program. Spending those 12 days, sailing, scuba diving, hiking, learning, exploring towns, and of course all of the moments laughing till our ribs ache will forever make me feel at home. By the end of those 12 days, those once strangers who you knew nothing about, soon become life-long friends. These magical moments were what I dreamed of, accomplishing amazing things that some people in life will never experience. It changed your outlook on life and brings you to realize, this world we live on is ginormous and it is all yours to discover it as well as make a lasting impact of it for the better. You spend your days awaken by the sunrise and start the tasks for the day and end it by falling asleep laughing and talking to your friends underneath the absolutely incredible like no other galaxy of stars above you. There isn't a "typical" day because every day is extraordinary and that is what makes it so special. Some days you will do more diving than other days, some days will be more relaxed, some days you hike more, and some days you experience the culture. During these 12 days we started our journey in St. Martin, next to Ile Foruche (which the only inhabitants there are goats!! So cool!) , next around the is St. Bart's (one of my personal favorites), then to Saba, and finally our last destination was Tintamarre before beading back to St. Martin. Daily I still rave about my amazing adventures to everyone while still in awe that as a teenager knowing I helped made a difference and accomplished dreams of mine. I still close my eyes at night and picture things only I and my now life-log friends have saw and knowing our bond and experiences of the world, are forever bonded by the immacuable animals, activities, people, and places; all because of Broadreach. A Broadreach trip will forever impact your life for the better! I cannot wait to attend more programs in the future summers.

I highly recommend this trip, it was the best experience of my life. This was the first time I had flown alone and out of the country and Broadreach did a great job making me feel prepared and at home. One of my favorite places on this trip was Camponario, we got to go out on a boat and see the marine life, go hiking, and watch the sunset and stars at night. We also went rappelling at Baru Farms which was amazing. I learned a lot of new things about the wildlife and culture of Costa Rica and getting to talk to the people who lived there was very interesting. The most important thing that I learned was to go outside of your boundaries. If I had not done that I know I would have missed out on a lot. This was very memorable for me, the people, the culture, the adventure, and of course, the food. You will make a lot of new friends who you will talk to very often even after the trip. The instructors that are with you are great people and do a good job of balancing having fun while still learning a lot. I can honestly say that if you decide to go on this trip, you will not regret it.

I can't even describe what it felt like touching my first sea turtle. Sea turtles have been on the earth longer than humans have, and being in their presence was such a magical feeling. Also, swimming with the bioluminescence at night, while hearing the humpback whales sing is something I will never forget. At that moment, I felt so small in the world I knew. Everyone I got the pleasure to meet on this trip was just so accepting. The guides in Costa Rica were some of the most down to earth people I have ever met in my life. The stories they told me are things I will keep with me forever. While the rainforest, the waterfalls, the long boat rides on the ocean, and of course, all the amazing animals, I also met some of the most amazing people in my life. The people that went on this trip with me have become my best friends, and some of us are even trying to go to college together. This trip honestly changed my life. It opened my eyes, and it gave me a taste of adventure. It had changed the path I wanted to take in life, and also brought amazing people into my life.

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.

Broadreach is one of those trips that truly changes your life. When I signed up for Broadreach I didn't know what i would be getting myself into. It looked crazy fun so perfect for me!! One of my favorite parts about Broadreach was the people. The instructors become your mentors and your friends, and your peers become your friends for life. I still keep in touch with one of the girls on the trip and we are planning another trip with Broadreach this summer. I loved it so much I am dying to go back. Broadreach was such an amazing opportunity that i think everyone should experience. Broadreach has something for everyone and was so much fun and I would definitely recommend this trip.

For the past few years I have slowly become more and more obsessed with sharks and their conservation. When my friend told me about the trip she took to Fiji, I just knew I had to check it out. As soon as I went to the Fiji Shark Studies page, I knew it was the program for me. As a student, the academic component was enticing for me because I know that Marine Biology is something that I want to pursue in college. Not only were the academics stimulating, but the environment, the diving, and the people were as well. Continuing to hone my diving skills was simple with the Broadreach instructors, and I know for a fact that I improved during my three week stay in Fiji. The most exciting part about receiving my Advanced certification was the fact that we could finally go on the Shark Dive!!! Diving at Shark Reef Marine Reserve was one of the best experiences of my life, and I will never forget the thrill I felt the first time I witnessed those bull sharks being hand fed tuna heads by the BAD guides. Diving multiple times a week helped us bond with the people that work for Beqa Adventure Divers and it really opened my eyes to the Fijian culture. Listening to their stories on the boat during surface intervals while munching on tea and cookies was never boring and I can easily say I made 20 something new family members. Fiji Shark Studies was the adventure of a lifetime and it gave me a whole new appreciation for the marine ecosystem, sharks, and those who care for the ocean so fondly. Thank you Broadbreach for the most amazing three weeks that I will surely never forget!

This breathtaking trip to Costa Rica was my first Broadreach experience and I enjoyed every second of my stay. From the moment I stepped foot outside the San Jose airport, to getting back on the boat in Drake Bay, it was so hard to say goodbye to what felt like a second home to me. As devastating as it was to leave all of my newly established best friends, a quote from a “leader of the day” occurred in my mind, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” On this spectacular trip I was able to face new fears I had never imagined, discover and try new things, meet new and amazing people, and put my love of field and marine biology to use. As nervous as I was at first, going waterfall rappelling at Baru Falls was one of the greatest experiences in my life! Not to mention Steve and Rae who were the most amazing mentors you could ever imagine. Nothing compares to all the outstanding activities, both great and small that transpire during this trip and I highly recommend this to all!

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 trip was the most amazing experience of my life. The staff that was on board completely made the adventure and the people soon became my family. The experiences are once in a life time and the diving is phenomenal. Being able to meet people from all over is amazing, and getting to be there family is even better. Learning not only about diving but about sailing was something special. Plus the sense of self you gain is extremely helpful throughout your life. Altogether this program offers so many things and is truly magical.

Once arriving in St. Martin and embarking on our journey to becoming Divemasters, the relaxing atmosphere of the catamaran made it seem as if we were on vacation. Not having the typical classroom setting for the Divemaster course made this trip very memorable and rewarding. We spent about two weeks learning the material, which included knowledge reviews, two exams, and a skills circuit. While we were studying, we sailed to many islands, including Île Fourche, St. Barthélemy, Saba, and Statia. After completing the necessary steps to becoming a PADI Divemaster, we were given hands-on experience by each shadowing an instructor on his/her boat. This was truly one-of-a-kind, and I would relive this summer in a heartbeat. The friends I have made on this trip are for a lifetime, and the memories will last forever.

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.

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!

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.

I have always wanted to go to the Caribbean, and this was awesome-sauce! Everyone was supportive and nice, plus you actually form close bonds. I know I did when I learned many people had similar taste in music. I also called two my directors senpai, and I will never regret it. My ane, which means big sister is coolio as ever, and my friends all have a special place in my heart. Learning about Caribbean culture was lovely, and learning about Swedish culture as well. Ha, classic jokes were made throughout everything! It would always keep you up at night just thinking about it laughing. I miss you all dearly, and I really hope to see you guys on another trip perhaps. Overall, this trip is my favorite of them all because of what you do and learn, and how you actually try foods that you could never dream of eating. Hehe, and good luck cooking if you go on this trip. It's a lot of fun, but don't worry too much....counselors on deck, reporting for duty!

For my most recent Broadreach trip I went to Bali and Lombok. To say this trip was just a Scuba diving trip is the understatement of the century, and it does not come even close to describing what the whole trip was like. The lifestyle you live when you go on a broadreach trip is one that is completely different than the one you live at home, and this trip was no exception. Whether it be waking up in a hammock on a boat or hiking 8000 meters up to the crater of a volcano, this adventure never failed to make things interesting and fun. The leaders on our trip, Josh and Sally, we're both very knowledgable and awesome to be around, and really helped solidify our group. The group itself also was amazing and I met so many great people who I will stay friends with for a long time. Overall this trip was an amazing experience and one I definitely would recommend to anyone considering going on one!

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.

This was my first Broadreach trip and I must say, the trip was fascinating. We went to many different islands, all of us helping to sail. We hiked and explored the islands we went to, sometimes helping the communities there. The people who went on the trip with me were all very welcoming and we became good friends.

Participating in the Grenadines Advanced Scuba program with Broadreach was one of the best deicions I've ever made. Not only did I make new friends from all over, grow as a person, experience new places and cultures, but I also gained experience diving and grew as a person. The trip focuses heavily on scuba diving, but we also explored sets of the Pirates of the Caribbean movie, hiked to a waterfall, explored the towns, and immersed ourself in the diverse Caribbean culture. I would do this program all over again, and if you are considering it I HIGHLY recommend.

This trip is an amazing one and I have been recommending it to all of my friends next year I plan on going on the Gigi shark studies program now that I have my advanced open water diver under my belt with my training from this program, the worst part is leaving. You WILL cry, there's no getting around it, you gain such a bond with all of the people on your trip that they will become your second family. The instructors always have your best interests at heart aswell making the trip jut ten times better then before. You are also thrown into a culture with new people who always have a smile on their face

I am a sophomore in High school and have been on two Broadreach trips, which for both I could argue that it was the best weeks of my life. My first trip was the Caribbean Underwater Discoveries trip, it was all about scuba diving and sailing, neither of which I had ever done before ,so signing up for it was scary because I was really stepping outside of my comfort zone. The moment I met the people I would be spending the next three weeks with in the airport I knew that these coming days were going to be unforgettable. Everybody was so welcoming and by the time we got to St. Martin I had already made so many new friends and none of us could wait to see what the next 3 weeks had in store for us. The instructors on Broadreach are amazing, the instructors on my most recent trip, to Bonaire were honestly the most influential people I have ever met. They truly care about the well being of each student and they are the reason that my Broadreach experiences were life changing. The food and accommodations on both of my trips were beyond what I had expected. The reason I go on Broadreach trips is because I am very passionate about Scuba diving which Broadreach makes an amazing experience as well. On my first trip all we had to do was jump off of our boat and we were on some of the best dive sites in the Caribbean with very talented instructors that we all loved. On my trip to Bonaire, which was a scuba intense program all we had to do was walk off the back porch of our house and we were on one of the best dive sites in Bonaire, which is also where we completed our rescue diver course. The dive shops that Broadreach associates are very welcoming and I could definitely see myself going back there one day and working. I can not say enough good things about Broadreach and I will be doing these programs as long as I can. I have recommended them to all of my friends and my sister is going on one this summer. This coming summer I am signed up to go on the advanced scuba trip to Bali and I could not be more excited!

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.

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.

Going to St. Martins was my first Broadreach trip and I absolutely loved it! It was so inspiring and educational. The instructors were amazing, the area and waters were stunning. The activities including SCUBA diving and hiking were phenomenal. The trip was perfect. I can't wait for my next adventure with Broadreach!

The Caribbean Underwater Discoveries program exceeded any previous expectations I had of the program or the trip. The morning I left for St. Martin I was extremely nervous and excited for the following weeks to come, and the morning I had to leave to return home I felt the complete opposite. First off, living on a boat with 12-15 other people is an experience in itself. I can truthfully say that the people you meet become lifelong friends that you share an amazing experience with. Meeting people from all over the country, and the world, is one of the best parts of the trip. Everybody's different diving experience, academic history, and interests create a diverse setting that is unlike any other. The instructors are fun and passionate about sailing, diving, and making sure everyone is comfortable and having fun. Taking your first breath underwater is a surreal experience. The dives, and your diving skills and techniques, only get better as the trip goes on. The instructors teach you everything you need to know to be a safe and experienced diver. I went on anywhere from 1-4 dives a day and saw the some of the most beautiful coral reefs and sea creatures. Of course I spent the majority of dives searching for sea turtles, I saw my first one on a night dive and saw numerous others later on. The marine life is incredible in the Caribbean, I saw everything from nudibranches and cowfish to sharks and stingrays. After becoming and open water diver and advanced open water diver, you can earn specialities (Peak performance buoyancy, underwater naturalist, night diver etc.). You also have the opportunity to learn how to sail, use the radio, and navigate a boat. Leaving the program with so many different credentials to use in the future is very exciting and can allow you to carry on diving after Broadreach (or go back and get more certifications!). I would not trade my Broadreach experience for anything in the world, and I highly recommend the Caribbean Underwater Discoveries program to anyone who wants a little bit of everything in their program.

I went to Fiji which, as everyone knows, is THE dream vacation destination. Although the journey there was long and tiring it was well worth it. I met some amazing people, both other Broadreach students and people who lived there. The instructors were amazing and we had an amazing time. We were on one island each week, totaling 3 islands all together. The first island was Kadavu, when we woke up for our first dive day we were greeted with a wonderful breakfast. After descending, the only thing I could think about was how all the diving I had done previously couldn't even compare to what I was experiencing in that moment. After our first week of diving we spent two nights in a village on another part of Kadavu, which was an amazing experience. The culture is so different from anything else I've seen that it was a bit of a shock but quite entertaining. When we arrived at the second island I could only think about how much better the diving on the rainbow reef was than the diving in Kadavu. There is nothing that I disliked about this trip, I would do it again exactly the same as I did in a heart beat. If you can afford it, this is the trip you want to do.

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.

It is amazing that 13 strangers who are all 15/16 years old from all around the globe can live together on a boat and become a family like no other. It was an extraordinary trip that I absolutely loved and wish that I could go back and re-live it. I saw sea creatures that I never knew existed and we were exposed to the true culture of the Caribbean Islands. I saw and learned more than most people will ever do in a life time.

This summer I was able to participate in my second Broadreach trip to Costa Rica. This program was absolutely incredible and allowed me to gain invaluable experience in the field! It also gave me confidence in my dream to become a veterinarian and redoubled my passion for animals. This program is not only for people who definitely want to become veterinarians, but for anyone who loves animals and is interested in what veterinarians do! After participating in two Broadreach programs, in Costa Rica and South Africa, I can confidently say that Broadreach trips are an incredible opportunity to learn about yourself and the world around you! Both trips were extremely informative, interesting, engaging, and most of all fun! If you are interested in doing a program abroad Broadreach is an awesome choice!

As Jacques Cousteau once said, “the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” For me, while Broadreach’s message is one and the same, this trip demonstrated so much more. As the Caribbean Grenadines Advanced Scuba Voyage fascinated me with its diving, I couldn’t wait to set sail to the next island on our expedition. Making this remarkable journey with awesome and likeminded new friends made the voyage even more worthwhile. Overall, Broadreach gave me the opportunity to discover more about our marine environment and my abilities as an individual. A combination of truly once-in-a-lifetime natural and personal experiences, the Caribbean Grenadines Advanced Scuba Voyage provided me with exceptional adventures that will forever hold a special place in my memory.

The few days, even weeks before my Broadreach trip to Panama, I had no idea what to expect. Coming from a country like Hong Kong, there was quite a big difference to Panama geographically and culturally. Panama is over 20 hours by plane away from Hong Kong, so It was pretty nerveracking for my parents to watch me go. However, from the moment I stepped off the plane to greet my trip leaders, I knew I was going to be in good hands. My trip leaders were very experienced in running Broadreach camps. They were very passionate about nature, the environment, and scuba diving for example. They also transferred that passion to the camp atteendees. Moreover, they were always attentive and took very good care of any injuries or other medical issues we had. Even when it came to eating, they always encouraged us to eat more to stay healthy. The trip was packed with activites. You could never be bored, especially because we were continuously moving to exciting, new locations. My summer in Panama not only allowed me to experience so many different types of adventure, but I also had a chance to develop my leadership skills, being able to adapt to cultural changes, and build lasting friendships with the 11 others students and trip leaders. It's been less than 3 months since the Panama trip and I've already met up with one of my Panama trip friends while I was in New York. I would definitely reccomend Broadreach to my friends and family, and tell them it's an experience you wouldn't want to miss.

Truly the experience of a lifetime. I met my best friends on a boat and it was the best twelve days of my life. You can not ask for a better time. For all considering Marine Bio as a hobby or future profession, I strongly encourage you to sign up now. Oh and it's in the Caribbean!!!

The Caribbean Underwater discoveries program was the best summer camp I ever did. I lived on a boat for 3 weeks. At the beginning i was with 14 strangers, but now most of them are friends that I won't forget. I spent some wonderful moments underwater but also discovered some of the islands of the Caribbean. We also needed to study, but it was with good spirits and I was really proud to pass my PADI levels. One of the thing I enjoyed most was sailing; it was really cool learning how to drive a boat and it was a great time to rest and enjoy the view. We did a lot of water sports and for the first time I tried water-ski, it was so much fun. The instructors were really nice and I was glad to meet them too. I recommend this Broadreach program to anybody who loves diving while also having a lot of fun ! I promise you are going to share wonderful adventures with all your crew !

The Costa Rica & Nicaraguan Spanish Immersion trip was by far the best trip I have ever taken. From living in the close-knit community of the beautiful pueblo of Orosi to white water rafting down the stunning Pacuare River to walking through the coffee plantation in Nicaragua, this trip changed my life. I had never been on a trip before this that impacted me so much. Although I was nervous to go on this trip, right when my plane landed in Costa Rica I was greeted by two welcoming instructors and I knew this would be an amazing trip. I made friendships that will last a lifetime and I learned so much about the world that I otherwise would have never experienced. What I liked about this trip was the community service we were involved in. We played with kids, taught them English, and read to them. We also built stoves, made cement floors, and built hydroponics, waterbeds for growing plants. Through all of the community service we got to see the physical impact we had on people's lives. This experience was truly life changing. The home stay in Orosi also had a huge impact on my life as I became an integral part of their family. I now have two brothers, a mom, a dad, and an entire extended family that I will never forget. In addition to the home stay and the community service, the beach in Nicaragua was the best. We stayed within walking distance and got to see the sun set every night. It was breathtaking. We also got to go surfing. Even though I had never surfed before and I fell many times, it was still so much fun. The Costa Rica and Nicaraguan Spanish Immersion trip open my eyes to the world around me, expose me to different cultures, and gave me the best summer of my life! The only thing I regret is that I couldn't spend more time with the 13 other people who have become my Broadreach 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.

My trip to Belize was one of the best trips I have ever been on. The program really did a good job of incorporating learning and fun. In the first couple of days we toured around Belize. The place we stayed was very clean with really good food. After touring around Belize, we then started the Wilderness First Responding course. The teacher was helpful and knowledgeable. I learned so much from the course. The course was defiantly very challenging but very rewarding. Even though we did all the scenarios with fake blood, it still gave you a feel for what it would be like in real life. The worst part of the whole trip was when we all had to get on our separate planes and leave. I formed such great relationships with everyone on the trip. It was so much fun and I would suggest it to anyone! Except if you don't like blood, then it might not be your favorite.

It has been the best summer of my life! Whenever I recapitulated that month of my life, I just can smile and think about the amazing experiences we had. I went on this program because I want to be a doctor so i thought that it would be very interesting learn more about medicine. The best part was the WFR course, we all learnt a lot and enjoyed doing the scenarios. I also loved helping at the hospital with the doctors and nurses. We had the amazing opportunity to see 3 surgeries, two hysterectomies and one c-section. I had the opportunity to make an amazing friends there that helped me with english because I'm from Spain. The fact of being able to live this experience with them made us stroger and better people. In only one month I developed such a strong bond with these people and they will always feel like family. The leaders were amazing. They were always aware if we needed something. It was comforting to know that if you had any issue, they would help you. Before the trip, I wasn't very sure if I wanted to study medicine, but now, I can confidently say that I want to spend the rest of my life helping people and being a doctor! I would absolutely recommend this program because the friends you make and the different experiences you have are unforgettable.

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!

The month that I spent with Broadreach this summer was the most incredible month of my life. I not only got the opportunity to study sharks under a fabulous counselor from a textbook, but I got to see them 'live in action' every day underwater. Also, learning about the Fijian culture was an experience of its own. We were able to do a home stay on the picture-perfect island of Beqa, where I met some of the most caring and generous people. I have made close friendships that I will never forget, and have learned more than I ever anticipated I would!

This trip was honest the best thing I have ever done. I am so glad I chose Broadreach and chose this program. I had an amazing time and met so many wonderful people that I love and still talk to. I learned how to scuba dive and that was an experience I will never forget. This trip has changed my life and I look at things a little differently now. Not only was it fun but it was also educational, I learned all about Marine Biology and it only made me want to become a Marine Biologist that much more. This trip went above and beyond my expectations and I cannot say enough good things about it!

Most memorable experience was getting Scuba certified and exploring the underwater world with such awesome people. I chose this program because I wanted to get Scuba certified, while also having some educational aspect to the trip. Living on the boat was a lot of fun. It really helped us get to know each other better and create friendships. At times we were cramped and on top of each other, but the experience was worth it when you look up at the stars at night.

My most memorable experience was those first few breaths underwater.The fact that I was able to breathe underwater blew my mind, and I look forward to the next chance I have to get back in the water. This was my first experience with scuba diving and I loved every second of it. I chose this program because following the end of my senior of high school I began to pick up an interest in marine biology. While searching for an adventure to do this summer my parents and I stumbled upon Broadreach and found a program that coupled marine biology and scuba diving, something that's been on my bucket list for years. We called Broadreach and discovered they only had one spot open left on the trip and I took it, starting an incredible three weeks of my summer. We lived on a catamaran. Everything from our food to our dive gear was stored throughout the boat. Staying inside during the day was difficult for it could get very hot inside the cabins, but at night everything cooled down. Quarters were tight and space was limited, but everyone adjusted to these conditions and were able to live in harmony.

It is really hard for me to choose just one experience as my "most memorable" one because the whole entire trip was memorable. This trip was honestly the best experience of my life...it was absolutely amazing. Although, if I really had to choose, I would say my best memory was when it was our second to last night together on the trip. On this particular night, we all went to the beach on the small island when we were located. For hours, we just ran around and enjoyed ourselves until it was finally time to sit down in a giant circle and share our favorite moments from the trip. I remember bawling my eyes out because I was going to miss everyone I bonded with over the course of three weeks. While sharing our favorite moments, we all dipped marshmallows in frosting and it was so good. I would had never guessed that I would become so close to new people in such a short amount of time. They will probably be my best friends for the rest of my life. I had the time of my life. I chose the Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage because I've always had a love for Marine Biology. Ever since I was little, I have wanted to be a Marine Biologist. My dad told me about this program and I was immediately excited and just had to read more about it. Once I read about the trip in full detail and saw that it would include diving and many other fun things, I was set on going. The location of trip definitely had a huge impact on why I chose the program as well because I love to travel. I looked up the islands online and fell in love because it looked so beautiful...and it was even better in person! A yacht was our temporary home while on this trip. Getting used to always being on the boat and sleeping on it definitely took some time. Many nights, I would sleep outside on the deck (as many other students would too) and stare up at the stars. After a while, I became comfortable with being on the yacht and I began to like it a lot. It really added to the overall experience of the trip.

I would not change this experience for anything. It was not my first choice, but I cannot imagine my summer without it. As I sit here in my junior year of college suffering through requirements for my biology major, it is so nice to be able to think back to the summer and remember that I have to learn the basics so I can go on to do what I want to do. I didn't think I would fall so deeply in love with scuba diving. I cannot wait to take the knowledge I gained to other parts of the world. Spending this much time with and on the water reminded me of how much I am comforted and rejuvenated by the ocean. I have to get back to it as soon as possible. I think one of the best elements of this program is the connection between what we learn in our marine biology lectures, our dives, and our small sailing lessons. Not only did we learn about the creatures and the environment, we also learned about our personal and global impact on the water. being able to learn about the destruction of the largest ecosystem on the planet and live out sustainable practices is incredible. Broadreach presented me with the opportunity to live the life I want to lead. I can't believe you're making me chose the most memorable. I really don't think I can. Once I got really comfortable with diving, that was definitely one of my favorite parts; being able to look at the fish, turtles, cnidarians, mollusks, crustaceans, and countless other creatures underwater and put names to them was one of the best feelings. I loved learning about sailing and taking the Pico out with another girl. Feeling the wind and the waves and knowing what you had to do us maximize your use of both was incredibly fun. This program was honestly not my first choice. It was the third I was looking at and figured I would like it once I got there, but really wasn't so sure about it before that. I knew I wanted something with water, living on a boat was desirable, and I had scuba dove before but didn't have a ton of experience. Iw as looking to broaden my Maine biology horizons, advance my scuba skills, and learn about sailing and boat management. There were nine people on our boat which was fit to hold up to 15 people. The three instructors were split between two cabins, while the 6 of the students were split between the other two cabins. (There were 2 other cabins we weren't using for people because it wasn't necessary). Two students slept in each of the cabins, while another girl and I slept on the trampoline outside. That was by far my favorite place to sleep. I miss it tremendously. There is nothing like sleeping under the stars, cozy in your sleeping bag, feeling the slight breeze over your face. I was on the boat with the student who wrote the negative review and I personally did not feel like the conditions described were the conditions on our boat. No one was ever diagnosed with scabies; we had one incident of staph (1 out of 9 isn't a bad ratio); we bleached or at least cleaned all surfaces of the boat at least twice a day; no one was ever forced to sleep anywhere they didn't want to; we were all encourage to shower daily and used antibacterial soap along with our regular shampoo to help prevent staph. I personally had a lot of fun jumping off the back of the boat, shampooing my hair, rinsing in the ocean (you HAVE to try showering at sunset--it's perfect), the rinsing the salt off with our ten seconds of allowed fresh water per day. You hardly even needed that much. I felt like our instructors handled all problems expertly, calmly, ideally. The support boat was never far. I adored our boat. It took me a day or two to find my sea body (more than just legs for me), but once I did, I was completely at home. I loved being able to leave the majority of my belongings in the cabin downstair and simply spend the day in the water or sun. We did all of our own cooking, something I was't expecting, but something I grew to enjoy. It was great to learn how to cook for more people and how to experiment! We cleaned the boat ourselves each day, twice a day, really, which was something exhausting, but a great skill to have. I never self unsafe, unhealthy, or unsanitary. Adored our professor. She presented the information in different ways both to engage us and to best utilize our learning styles. She help due discover passions I didn't know I had--who knew coral was carnivorous? Who knew the small things were so interesting? She gave me ideas about my future that will incorporate both my passions and what I'm naturally pretty good at. I was not expecting to come away from this experience with a possible career path. I truly could not have asked for better. We made it ourselves which was a new experience for me--I had never cooked for that many people before! Good life skills learned. Our boat was fantastic. I loved dinner where we could all sit down at the end of the day to talk, laugh, and reflect. Never once did I feel unsafe on this program. A few of us got ear infections and they were all taken care of. Our instructors know the best doctors and pharmacies on each of the islands. Our boat also had multiple first aid kits and plenty of soap and water.

I had an incredible time in Costa Rica. I gained an immense knowledge of veterinary medicine, and came home from my trip with a newfound sense of confidence in myself. One aspect of the trip that I absolutely loved was the amount of hands-on experience we had. Every day, we would have lectures in the rainforest, and then put our knowledge to the test in the field. We did physical examinations on sea turtles in the wild, de-wormed cattle on numerous farms, studied primate behavior at wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facilities, and even got to be in the surgery suite with local veterinarians. Another part of the trip I loved was being immersed in Costa Rican culture, even without a Spanish component of the trip. At one place we stayed, a Costa Rican woman cooked our meals for us every day, and talked to us during dinner. One evening we had a dance class with a couple of local kids, and it was fantastic to connect with them, even though we only knew bits and pieces of each other's language. Another element of culture in Costa Rica that we experienced was the ecotourism. We participated in several adventure activities in nature, and they were incredible. We white water rafted on the Sarapiqui river, went rappelling, went zip lining in the rainforest, and went to Ecotermales, a hot springs resort next to a volcano. Overall, this trip is amazing. I would recommend it to any person who loves adventure, a spirited culture, biological and environmental sciences, and animals. I know I would not trade my experience for anything in the world. I have wanted to be a veterinarian for a long time, and this trip completely solidified this dream for me. Even if you haven't thought of being a veterinarian before, this trip is a great opportunity to learn about biology on a greater scale, with the interconnected workings of the environment and its inhabitants.

My trip to Costa Rica was incredible. Not only did I learn a wealth of knowledge about veterinary medicine, but I also gained a newfound confidence in myself. Our trip was a great combination of academics, hands-on learning activities, and adventure activities. We experienced Costa Rica in such a unique way, with its human and non-human natives, and I would recommend this trip to anyone who loves science, animals, and adventure!

For three weeks, I lived on the boat Lady Beatrice (which we renamed Lady Ninja) and sailed from Saint Martin to Nevis and back. We did 19 dives, 5 community service hours, and I got 6 new certifications. But the important thing is that I made 11 new friends too. When I first arrived on Saint Martin and was introduced to the boat, I was skeptical that it would really become a home. But it did, and we got to know it inside and out. Although there were small cabins and a little kitchen with a couch and table, we mostly lived outdoors. We ate at the outdoor "cockpit" which had benches and a small table under a shady covering, and slept on the housetop and the trampoline, a net stretched between the two hulls near the front of the boat. When we weren't in the water, we relaxed and tanned outside, going for many swims and snorkels to check out the clear water and watch turtles swim around us. The diving was by far the best part of my trip to the Caribbean. Having had previous dive experience, I got to go on fun dives at the start of the trip while my friends got certified. Then, we all continued towards our advanced certifications together, doing night dives, wreck dives, navigational dives, and deep dives to 100 feet. We even did fun things underwater, like playing with eggs that the pressure held together even after they were cracked. Those dives, in clear, warm water, with fish, corals, lobsters, and many turtles, were some of the best I've ever experienced. The town days and community service was fun too. We got to stop onto islands and explore their landmarks and famous sites, such as a fort where we played Hide and Go Seek, and we also got to just walk around the towns, meet the locals, and buy Ting, our favorite Caribbean soda. We also got to do community service, which at first I was dreading but ended up being fun because we were all chatting and having a good time with each other while doing it. Every day we had a Leader of the Day or LOD, who would plan out the day's schedule, keep everyone on track, take pictures, and write a blog post at the end of the day. Usually we would wake up, get ready for the day, have breakfast, then assemble gear and do a dive. Sometimes after that we would go into town or visit a landmark of the island, or if it was a dive day have lunch on the boat and then dive once or twice more in the afternoon. If we were heading off to a new island, we would get on our life jackets, crank up the sails, and head off. Overall, every day on board Lady Ninja was an adventure. I had a great time on this trip, and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I don't even know how to begin describing my Broadreach program. It was one of the most memorable summers of my entire life. I participated in the Caribbean Underwater Discoveries 12-Day trip to the Caribbean and learned how to scuba dive and sail, along with 11 other students from around the nation. On the first night, I slept next to 11 teenagers I had never met before, and on the last night, I slept next to 11 of my best friends. Each day we spent together on the boat, I learned more and more about each one of my fellow participants. Not only did we push each other to take risks and strengthen each other's leadership, but we also cared and looked after one another. I was lucky enough to spend my 17th birthday in the middle of the Caribbean, surrounded by some of my closest friends. It has been over four months since my trip, and I still text people from my trip everyday. Friendship was not the only benefit of Broadreach but also the important life lessons such as confidence, leadership, and responsibility. The instructors on the boat push you to try new experiences and expand your comfort zone, while providing you with the opportunities to grow your leadership. You are also responsible to cook and clean on the boat, both important life lessons in good hygiene. Broadreach programs teach you invaluable qualities that will help you throughout your entire life. I will never forget my time spent on my Broadreach program, as well as the best friends I made along the way. I cannot express how grateful I am for participating in such a life changing program. Keep it up, Broadreach!

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.

I honestly don't even know where to start with this review. All I can say is that it was an INCREDIBLE experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who has interest in the oceans and marine life. All of our instructors taught us so much about their respective fields (Biology, diving, and sailing), and always had a smile on their faces while doing so. Diving was definitely my favorite part of the the experience. It was always a dream of mine to get Scuba certified, and this trip finally let me reach it. My parents were always kind of skeptical because of safety concerns having to do with diving. But to any parents reading this, I never once felt unsafe on a dive or any other part of the trip as a whole. From being able to jump right off the boat and go for a snorkel almost whenever I wanted, to sleeping under the stars at night, living on a boat is definitely an experience to be had as well. Although we sometimes felt cramped and on top of each other, it only helped us become so close as a group. I made so many friends, whom I still keep contact with, and will never forget this experience. A GoPro or other underwater camera is definitely a must on this trip. Academics: The class on Marine Biology was very interesting and hands on. The instructors always had such a good attitude, and you could tell they have a passion for what they do.

All I can really say is that you should definitely do this trip. Have an interest in marine biology? Do this trip. Want to experience scuba diving? Do this trip. This past summer was some of the best three weeks of my life. The group I got to live with on the Lady Helen, our boat, were all incredible. The staff were all friendly and well trained, the diving was pristine as you get to explore the Saba marine park, and the experience as a whole was definitely life changing. Academics: The academics were great! Our instructor did a great job teaching us the materials, and the work associated with it was never too taxing. Living Situation: Boat life was a little difficult at first, for it takes some time to adjust to the cramped cabins. However; after a boat a week it was a whole different story, everyone is able to successfully navigate their ways throughout the boat and very few problems arose. Cultural Immersion: The culture of the islands is never fully experienced. Sure some historical landmarks and service projects were done but the life of the people living on these islands was never experienced.

This was my first time out of the country, and I have to say that it was absolutely amazing. I have made really good friends, and I feel more comfortable with speaking spanish. I'm glad that this was my first time out the country, because I really want to go out again! This trip changed my view on life, for the better.

This program was amazing! While in Ecuador for a whole month, I hiked the Inca trail for a week, lived with a family in a home stay, went to an indigenous weaving community, horse back rode at the base of Cotopaxi, hiked up to the glacier on Cotopaxi, painted and cleaned up a school for children with disabilities, made awesome friends, and most importantly, improved my spanish significantly. Through classroom instruction and communicating with locals, my spanish became so good I could just speak to anyone without thinking about it first. This trip was so fun and I always felt super safe no matter where we were or what we were doing. I would go back to Ecuador in a heartbeat and will never forget what an amazing time I had there.

The Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage was so incredible...I hardly know where to begin. First of all, I highly recommend this trip. The whole trip is very well put together. Diving was one of my favorite things that we did throughout the whole trip, it was amazing. Everyone bonds so much over the course of time...I still talk to some of the other students that were on the trip and we are very close. I created so many memories on this trip that I cherish. We explored the towns on the islands, went swimming in the beautiful ocean, and laughed our hearts out. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better experience. The academics were great as well. Our instructor on this particular trip, Honey, made learning fun and also challenged us to think outside our normal ways of thinking. I learned way more than I thought I would. All of the instructors were so kind and always helpful with anything we needed. This review doesn't even describe how spectacular the trip was because I can't even put it into words. Academics: The academics on this trip were amazing. I learned so many new, interesting facts about marine life and the environment. Living Situation: Staying on the yacht definitely had it's ups and downs throughout the whole trip. Although, you get more and more comfortable as the trip goes on. Personally, I liked it a lot. Cultural Immersion: I really enjoyed visiting the different islands and getting to explore them. Meeting some of the people that lived on the islands was incredible too (that's one of my favorite aspects about traveling). Although, I wish we could've had more time on the islands. Program Administration: All of the instructors did a very great job of making this program come together. They were always helpful and nice.

All of us except the current skipper and Toyota (Taylor) were standing on the bow of our sailboat, Tara. Gliding across the water and doing flips in the air, a huge pod of dolphins were by our side for what felt like hours. I love sailing and I have never been to the Caribbean, so I wanted to experience a new place. It is also the longest, and that stuck out for me. The living conditions on the boat were nothing but fun. Most everyone slept on the bow every night, until the rain came. We always enjoyed dancing in the cabin while the cooks made our meals. While we cleaned, everyone danced, had soap fights, and ended up jumping in the water. Best home I've ever been to.

I can't believe you're making me chose the most memorable. I really don't think I can. Once I got really comfortable with diving, that was definitely one of my favorite parts; being able to look at the fish, turtles, cnidarians, mollusks, crustaceans, and countless other creatures underwater and put names to them was one of the best feelings. I loved learning about sailing and taking the Pico out with another girl. Feeling the wind and the waves and knowing what you had to do us maximize your use of both was incredibly fun. This program was honestly not my first choice. It was the third I was looking at and figured I would like it once I got there, but really wasn't so sure about it before that. I knew I wanted something with water, living on a boat was desirable, and I had scuba dove before but didn't have a ton of experience. Iw as looking to broaden my marine biology horizons, advance my scuba skills, and learn about sailing and boat management. There were nine people on our boat which was fit to hold up to 15 people. The three instructors were split between two cabins, while the 6 of the students were split between the other two cabins. (There were 2 other cabins we weren't using for people because it wasn't necessary). Two students slept in each of the cabins, while another girl and I slept on the trampoline outside. That was by far my favorite place to sleep. I miss it tremendously. There is nothing like sleeping under the stars, cozy in your sleeping bag, feeling the slight breeze over your face. I was on the boat with the student who wrote the negative review and I personally did not feel like the conditions described were the conditions on our boat. No one was ever diagnosed with scabies; we had one incident of staph (1 out of 9 isn't a bad ratio); we bleached or at least cleaned all surfaces of the boat at least twice a day; no one was ever forced to sleep anywhere they didn't want to; we were all encourage to shower daily and used antibacterial soap along with our regular shampoo to help prevent staph. I personally had a lot of fun jumping off the back of the boat, shampooing my hair, rinsing in the ocean (you HAVE to try showering at sunset--it's perfect), the rinsing the salt off with our ten seconds of allowed fresh water per day. You hardly even needed that much.

This Broadreach program left me absolutely speechless. I met people that will be my friends for the rest of my life, and the leaders were so enthusiastic about teaching and traveling with us. Living on a boat and exploring over twenty islands with best friends is an experience that is almost impossible to get anywhere else. To this day, I am still having withdrawls from this paradise. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I came back a different person with different point of views and a new sense of confidence. I don't have the words to express the incredible memories I hold inside of my heart. Nothing makes me happier.

For such a short time, I learned more new and useful information than I did anywhere else. The group was stellar, the diving more amazing, and the instructors felt like family! We all bonded so well and so fast, it felt like we'd known each other for months. The dives were gorgeous, and the rescue course-- as challenging as it was-- was fun and rewarding! I'd recommend it to anyone, but particularly those short on time or looking for a really scuba-intensive program. Absolutely amazing! :)

Before the trip, I assumed 12 days would be too short a time to get the full Broadreach experience. In actuality, it was one of, if not the most amazing trips I'd ever been on. I had never bonded with a group that fast, nor did I think that I'd be able to gain such a thorough understanding of my Rescue certification and all it entailed. The living space felt like home, and the instructors and my peers felt like family. Overall, it was an unforgettable adventure! I'd recommend it to anyone, but particularly those short on time or who feel the need for a more scuba-intensive and fast-paced learning program. :)

One of my most memorable experiences was on one of my trips when we dove the reefs of Saba, some of the most beautiful sights I'll ever see. I love the underwater world, and these programs gave me a chance to further explore it and learn more about diving while also creating life-long memories. The accommodations were perfectly fine in my opinion. The boats we lived on were top-notch, and though the rooms were small, there was plenty of room to sleep other places on the boat. Even though fresh water supply was limited, even 10 second showers were a luxury compared to what you usually get on an outdoor trek or camping trip. The food was plentiful, and the boat was kept very clean, which is more than enough for me.

I have now been on two broadreach trips, and I came back with nothing but positive memories both times. The programs that Broadreach puts on are organized, efficient (with plenty of room for exploration), and unbelievably enjoyable. Granted, life on the boat has aspects that aren't full of luxury, but those are the tiniest parts of the trip, if anything, I'd say they add to the adventurous experience of Broadreach. They have instructors and skippers that relate with the kids (many of them have very childish spirits), and they just make every experience that much better. I learned more about sailing, boats, and diving in three weeks than many will learn in their entire lifes. Broadreach is an excellent program, and it leaves me with memories that I'll keep for a lifetime.

Going into this program I had never left my family or friends for more than two days. I was nervous to be away for so long, but mainly, I was nervous to be traveling alone. In the Nassau airport, I was greeted in the most reassuring way, everyone yelled and cheered. The group leaders made me feel comfortable from the beginning. The process of making friends was the easiest part, I was on a month-long trip with people that shared the same interests as me; I made close, lifelong friends on the trip that I still talk to every day. The program itself was everything I could have imagined and more; the diving was beautiful, the lessons were fun and interesting. Free time was spent playing games, making bracelets, watching ocean-based movies, and enjoying each others company the whole time. If I could go back to when I picked the program I wanted to go on, I wouldn't alter my decision at all, because I loved the entire experience.

Las summer, I participated in the Bonaire Advanced Scuba program with Broadreach. It was one of the best experiences ever! The diving and the people were both amazing. All of the dives were absolutely fantastic and there is literally a dive site everywhere on Bonaire. Since the island is so small and our instructors knew the sites so well, we would just hop in the cars, pick up tanks from the local dive shop, and dive in. All of the sites were so different, but every single one was amazing. We got to dive a giant shipwreck and saw animals such as seahorses, turtles, squid, and so much more. We went on day dives, night dives, and even dawn dives. Bonaire is a beautiful place to dive and I would return in a heartbeat. Also, the rescue diver course was very rewarding. I love that I can now handle an emergency situation underwater. My group was small which was great since we got really really close. Even though the program was only twelve days, I came away feeling as though I had known everyone forever. My group bonded very quickly and became practically family. We had so many fun times together and made so many great memories. The instructors were really good and so nice. I had not been diving in a year when I arrived, I was a little nervous to get back in the water. On my check out dive, the instructors were so helpful and repeated the skills with me until I felt comfortable again. I learned so much from them and I could feel my diving skills improving so much. We also got to do so many fun activities during our program. We took trips to town, went to a donkey sanctuary where donkeys literally swarmed our car, and took a windsurfing lesson at the most beautiful beach ever. Everything we did was so much fun! I honestly can't recommend this program enough. The people, diving, and activities are all absolutely amazing!

I went on the Shark Behavior and Conservation program in Fiji, and it was one of the best decisions I have made in college. Being able to swim with and study sharks in a safe and controlled environment is an experience second to none. Fiji is such a beautiful and unique country, and has so much to offer. As a student at UCLA, creating my own research project was the perfect supplement to putting everything I had learned to practical use. One of my favorite experiences (besides the sharks!) was getting to stay in a traditional village, and really experience the culture in that way. Broadreach gave me the adventure of a lifetime and memories I will never forget, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Probably the best time I have ever had. The diving was spectacular every time and the level of the instructors was awesome. I learned a lot and the island was beautiful. If you have a chance to go on this trip do it, it was amazing

This is an amazing program. The diving was perfect everytime and all of the instructors were super personable. The GRC was a really cool place to live and learn, and I think that if anyone has a chance for this experience they should take it, all of the adventure and the learning is the best ever.

WOW! I literally can't say enough about the Belize studies program. My only regret is that it ended. To start, I learned about Broadreach through a friend of mine that went on the Caribbean Marine Biology Voyage. She returned from her trip just three days before mine, and she told me that I would have the best three weeks of my life. She could not have been more right. I was so nervous to learn to scuba dive in a new place with people I'd never met before, but my instructors were so kind and patient. Everyone was so welcoming and fun. I really had a great time both getting to know people and spending time with them throughout the weeks. We stayed in the most surreal places, I felt like I could be posing for a magazine. I had the chance to swim with manatees, snorkel with sting rays in the Blue Hole, eat fresh barracuda, and soak up some good 'ol Belizean sun (under many layers of sunscreen of course!). All of us had the chance to experience a life we had never before lived. The Belizean islanders were friendly and we all enjoyed learning about their lives and trying new things. After just a few days, we were our own little family, island hopping and seeing the world together. While everything was sunny and bright, we DID study, believe it or not. I am proud to tell people that I didn't just swim and fool around and eat fresh fruit (really REALLY fresh fruit). The course was challenging and relevant. We spent a week with the Oceanic Society and had the opportunity to assist scientists with current, on-going research. We had lessons all throughout the trip, wrote journals, had both a midterm and final exam, wrote a research paper, and researched and presented a dolphin species to our group. I researched the dusky dolphin. Did you know that the dusky dolphin is one of the most acrobatic species of dolphin? The Oceanic Society had a wealth of information for us and our dolphin surveys were certainly an experience. Once we spotted a pod, we had the chance to hear the dolphins underwater using a hydrophone and see them as they leaped out of the water. It was amazing to think that we are helping scientists learn more about these amazing creatures, regardless that we are in high school. Overall, it was a once in a lifetime experience. You truly won't find another program like Broadreach. We studied in the most fantastic places and met the most fantastic people. Even now, I am planning to visit a friend from my group and she lives in another country! Not only will I be able to have the knowledge of the many things I learned and memories I made with my second family, I now have a new group of life-long friends. No one should miss out on this opportunity if they have the chance.

This program was excellent for anyone interested in working with animals, veterinary or otherwise. I was able to gain exceptional hands on experience with animals that i would never be able to get in the US prior to being licensed to work with animals. I ran into a few minor glitches during the registration process and the staff at Broadreach was extremely accommodating and helpful every step of the way. Although the trip was a bit pricey, the experience it gave me well exceeded what I paid. The educational aspect of the trip was by far my favorite. I was able to interact hands on with sea turtles, primates, cats and dogs, and cows preforming various exams. The adventure part was also amazing, I crossed a lot of items off my bucket list in just one month. I was able to go caving, take a zip line canopy tour, go rappelling, and take a horse back ride through the rainforest. This trip is easily my favorite one that I have ever been on up to this point and will be hard to beat. I don't even know for sure that I will ever even have to opportunity to replicate some of the experiences again.

Peru is an amazing country with a unique history and culture. My time there, though it was short, was an incredible break from reality. Those three and a half weeks of my life were unreal. I found myself doing things that I would have never thought to do and when I returned home I found myself missing Peru and all my friends more than I had missed my home. I was part of something truly great that I will never forget. I never would have be able to experience a different country and culture in such a cool way with new friends and unforgettably amazing councilors if it wasn't for the Broadreach. It is an amazing program and recommend it to anyone who wants to travel or is just in seek of an adventure.

Peru is an amazing country with a unique history and culture. My time there, though it was short, was an incredible break from reality. Those three and a half weeks of my life were unreal. I found myself doing things that I would have never thought to do and when I returned home I found myself missing Peru and all my friends more than I had missed my home. I was part of something truly great that I will never forget. I never would have be able to experience a different country and culture in such a cool way with new friends and unforgettably amazing councilors if it wasn't for the Broadreach. It is an amazing program and recommend it to anyone who wants to travel or is just in seek of an adventure.

This program not only changed my life but was one of the best summers that I have ever had! From diving multiple times every day to experiencing life on a boat, I have never had something so challenging be such an amazing experience. There were many things that I learned this past summer living on the EMA III with my new friends, but the thing that I learned the most about was myself. I now have a passion for travel, and not just the tourist type of travel. The kind where you get to sit down and talk with the people who live there, really be immersed in their culture. It was the greatest experience of my life! So many people asked me if I'd do it again and I said I would, in a heartbeat! I would recommend any broadreach trip to anyone! It was the best month of my life and I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on the experience that I had.