The Glacier Bay Semester in Civic & Environmental Leadership
Program Overview
The Glacier Bay Semester offers an unparalleled opportunity for young people aged 18-24 to develop as leaders, community members, and global citizens. Based at our twin campuses, students will explore a mossy old-growth forest, paddle through icy fjords, and climb the rugged alpine summits of Glacier Bay National Park and the Tongass National Forest.
The program is built around three central pillars: academic work in the liberal arts and sciences, service labor performed in support of the campus and community, and democratic self-governance. Close-knit community life and wilderness exploration round out the experience.
Join us and immerse yourself in the communities and wildlands of Southeast Alaska, home to tidewater glaciers, alpine meadows, humpback whales, and brown bears.
All students must be legally permitted to reside in the United States for the entire duration of the program. This means that DACA recipients are eligible for this program. Unfortunately, Tidelines cannot currently sponsor visas for international students.
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Program Highlights
What's Included
Quick Details
- Fall
- Summer
- Environmental Studies
- Humanities
- Liberal Arts
- Natural Sciences
- Philosophy
- Political Science & Politics
- Service Learning
- Adventure Travel
- Experiential Learning
- Self-Discovery
- Study Abroad
- Wilderness
Updated Jul 16, 2026
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Alaska, United States
Fields & Subjects
- Environmental Studies
- Humanities
- Liberal Arts
- Natural Sciences
- Philosophy
- Political Science & Politics
- Service Learning
Available Terms / Availability
- Years Offered
- Year Round
- Terms Available
- Fall
- Summer
Eligible Nationalities
- All Nationalities
- This Program is also open to Solo
Education Levels & Language
- Language
- English
- Education
- High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)
- University Freshman (1st Year)
- University Sophomore (2nd Year)
- University Junior (3rd Year)
- University Senior (4th Year)
- University 5th Year or More
Accommodation Options
- Group living
Application Procedures
- Written Application
- Phone/Video Interview
- Letters of Reference
- Other
Age Requirement
18-25
Duration
- After College
- Post High School
- During College
Starts At
Refund Policy
Other
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Tidelines Institute Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff
Alisa Regassa
Participated in 2024
AlumniAlisa is a recent Harvard graduate who took a gap year after college and traveled to Alaska, which changed her life. Now she's applying to law school ...
I knew that Alaska was a place I'd wanted to visit—and visit meaningfully. I saw this opportunity, and it seemed like it was the perfect time and place to do it.
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