Seamester: Caribbean Summer - 20 Days

My Seamester trip was genuinely the best 20 days of my life! My biggest regret was not doing a longer trip with them. It was crazy how much I got to experience in just these 20 days. I learned how to scuba dive and got to dive in some of the most stunning dive sites in the Caribbean. I learned responsibility, as we got the opportunity to be full-immersed in sailing an 88-foot schooner. And I learned how to live and work well with others in very close quarters. The friends I made on this trip will be my friends for a lifetime. Seamester does a really good job of cultivating an environment where you work hard and play hard. Additionally, the staff were the most patient, kind, selfless and hard working people I have ever met. I really trusted them to keep us safe, and I learned so much from them. They are amazing role models and had everyone's best interest in mind at all times. I seriously could not recommend this program enough, the only thing I would do differently is never leave :)

My biggest takeaway, besides the incredible places we visited and sailing, was how inspiring the staff was! I loved meeting new people and hearing about how their paths brought them to Sea|Mester!! It truly opened new pathways that I hadn't imagined, knowing that I could have those experiences too. I had the best time exploring different islands and learning so much about sailing a big boat! My biggest excitement was that every day was a new adventure. I learned so much in just a short amount of time and would highly recommend this program!! (Although my one regret is that I didn't do a longer trip!)

I have recommended the experience to everyone I know. My only regret is that I didn’t go longer. The staff before the trip and on board were so incredibly helpful. Overall I made friendships and memories to last a lifetime. I loved every moment!

Being on Seamester was such an amazing experience in so many ways. From learning how to scuba dive to being completely under sail for the first time, I was able to learn so many new things and fall in love with boat life. The community was one of the best parts of the trip. Since we all are with each other pretty much 24/7 it’s easy to create really close relationships. Overall, the trip was amazing, the only thing I wish that was different was that I chose a longer trip

Seamester provided me with the best 3 weeks of my life. From the moment I stepped aboard I felt an instant connection to my crew and the staff. Throughout the 3 weeks aboard I gained a new family that I will never forget. Together we sailed to foreign shores, dove to immense depths, laughed, sang, learned and created memories a of a lifetime. The staff were incredible and knowledgeable. The places you go are nothing short of amazing, but the people you meet and the things you learn are truly the most amazing part of this experience. This trip has immensely changed my life, and while right now I am not floating in the ocean, this program has taught me to accept the uniqueness in life and to never stop seeking adventure.

It was a really great program and I got to have so many new experiences and everyone got along so well. I definitely think you have to be a specific type of person to go on this trip, you have to be very adaptable and open to new sometimes nerve racking experiences. The staff of the ocean star were amazing leaders, super interested in helping us and teaching all the new skills while also joining in on our shenanigans from time to time :) I will miss them all very much. I think the friendships made were the most valuable aspect, everyone was so supportive and protective of one another and got along so incredibly well, we all loved each other a lot after only 20 days.

This experience was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. I wish that everyone would have the opportunity to do something like this, because it not only sparked my interest in pursuing a career at sea but it also gave me a sense of being able to face anything coming my way with confidence. The staff on my trip were amazing and made me feel safe and cared for. The friends I made on this trip are now some of my closest. Overall, this experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and I feel so much stronger and well prepared for all that life can throw my way!

If you have the chance to go aboard with Sea|Mester, take it! I promise you won’t regret it. Yes, you may be worried since the whole idea of sailing is new and you won’t know anyone going into it, but I promise it will be the best experience of your life. Hands down, Sea|Mester is probably the best thing I have ever done. Learning to sail was a blast. I saw so many cool things scuba diving. Exploring the beautiful islands was incredible. The staff were amazing. I made friends of a lifetime. Like I said, if you have the chance, take it! You wont regret it. I wish I could do this experience over again. Almost made me want to switch from being a doctor to working as staff on one of the boats. That’s how awesome it was!

I just got home from the 20 day Carribbean voyage, and all I can say is that it was not enough time! Being from Colorado, I don't get to experience the luxuries of the ocean as much as I would like, and Seamester was the perfect program that allowed me to gain my sea legs. That isn't the only thing I've received from this program for I've also added dives to my dive log, experienced different cultures, learned how to sail, and most importantly, met new friends from all over. After Seamester, I felt so happy to have met new friends and gone to new locations, it has made me realized the life that exists beyond university and outside my comfort zone. Seamester, Ocean Star, my crew, and the awesome staff have provided the highlight of my summer, allowed me to grow, and experience a unique adventure.

Seamester was the best experience of my life. I had no diving or sailing experience prior to this trip. I came out with a sailing certificate and an advanced PADI diving certificate. The friendships and experiences I had on this trip are probably going to be some of the best memories of my life. Some highlights were swimming with dolphins, hiking in the rainforest and seeing bioluminescence while sailing in the middle of the night. Words really can not describe how beneficial Seamester was for me. Anyone who has a desire to travel and seeks adventure can't afford to miss out on this study abroad program. Academics: On my program Oceanography and Seamanship were offered. The classes were so fun it hardly felt like work. Studying Oceanography while living on a boat is amazing. Oceanography had many PowerPoints and labs. The labs were mostly observation in the water while snorkeling or on a boat. There was also a group project and an individual paper. There was a midterm and a final. Grade Received: B Seamanship also had a midterm and final. Some PowerPoints but mostly everything was hands on, learning as you went. Grade received: A Living Situation: We lived on S/Y Oceanstar the entire time. In my small room there were 6 beds built into the wall and just outside our room were six more. Room was extremely tight but I give it an A+ because we were living as sailors on a sailboat. It was part of the experience and the adventure. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Cultural Immersion: My program took us to the West Indies from BVI to Dominica and islands in-between. Whenever we went to shore, which was often, we had a chance to talk to locals. Some tour guides were well known by staff that we were able to become friends with. Program Administration: Every time I came in contact with anyone from Seamester I was impressed. Emails are returned quickly. They will even talk on the phone or by email to your schools administrators to help you get situated. I felt very safe with the Oceanstar staff. They were responsible but also made the trip fun. Health and Safety: Considering the fact that we were on a sailboat in the middle of the caribbean, sometimes not even able to see land, I would say I felt very safe. We had multiple drills in case of emergency. We wore life vests during passages. Sometimes sail raises were a bit dangerous, but the staff always had a close eye on us to make sure everything was done correctly. Social Life: Our boat had 17 people. We became a family in those 40 days. With so many people in close quarters there were going to be some problems. For the most part everyone built each other up and helped whenever possible. I was most concerned about this and I ended up becoming life long friends with everyone aboard.