Marine Biology Study Abroad Programs in St. Johns, Antigua & Barbuda

Seamester was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding. Living on a boat, sailing every day, and diving in some of the most incredible places in the world pushed me far outside my comfort zone and helped me grow so much as a person. The dives were unforgettable, the sailing taught me resilience and teamwork, and the people made it all worth it. I met some of my closest friends and made memories I’ll carry with me forever. It challenged me, changed me, and gave me experiences I never could have had anywhere else. I’m so grateful I did it.

Seamester was a last minute decision for me, kind of came out of nowhere. Best decision I could have made. I met 30 incredible people that I am happy to report are some of my closest friends now. This trip was so fun but also extremely difficult. I wouldn’t change my experience for the world though. Thank you Seamester.

What this trip gave me was unreplicatable experiences. I got to live on a boat for 90 days with like-minded individuals, and do things and go places that most people will never be able to. We crossed the Panama Canal, got to scuba dive in Galápagos, and had a special ceremony as we crossed the equator. We visited many remote islands that would be hard to get to otherwise. We sailed the Pacific, and went eighteen days without seeing land. And as we were doing it all, we studied marine biology and oceanography, learned what it meant to be a sailor, and how to be a leader. This is a once in a lifetime experience, and I’m grateful for every story I have brought home with me.

Seamester was the adventure of a lifetime. I went into it not knowing how to sail but wanting to learn, and came out of it not only with that knowledge, but also with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me so many new things about myself. The staff members were amazing with their teaching and support, especially when times got rough. Their diligence ensured we all made it safely across the pacific. I also loved the places we visited, with my favorites being the Galapagos, Mo'orea, and the Panama Canal. The class schedule could be challenging at times, and waking up for watch in the middle of the night was definitely not my strong suit, but overall I had an amazing semester. I couldn't recommend Seamester enough and I'm so grateful for this wonderful experience.

I am so thankful for this once in a lifetime opportunity. This is something I will never forget and will always have this story to tell. However no one outside of this program will ever understand the true meaning because they did not experience it the same way I did. They were not there. I have attempted to explain the jokes or stories we told but very little people understood it like the crew on Argo did. The staff and students were the nicest people I have ever met, I know I made lifelong friends. From swimming with manta rays to midnight watch during a long passage, to cleaning the boat and making her sparkle. We made every moment fun. We always turned something that the staff told us wasn't going to be that fun (for example boat appreciation or clean up after meals) into dance parties. There was never a dull moment.

This trip has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience and something I will never forget. I have made so many lifelong friends that I will continue to keep in touch with and see again. Sea|Mester is the greatest thing I have ever done. It opened my eyes in so many different ways and has made me change in so many great ways. I made many great memories I will cherish forever. All the staff was incredibly kind and made sure all of my needs were taken care of. I could talk to the staff about anything and always had fun talking with them. The staff treated us as equals which was super nice. All the classes were taught very well and every teacher was very passionate about their course. For me, the most valuable aspect was the social factor. I was pretty nervous coming into this trip about meeting new people and broadening my social circles. I have always been anxious about introductions and showing people my true self and this trip helped me so much. This trip allowed me to be myself and unlock a part of me I didn’t know I had. Everyone embraced me for who I was, which was great. I owe a great deal of this trip to my fellow crew members who were so kind and funny. Sea|Mester is awesome. Don’t change anything. This trip is probably the greatest thing I’ve ever done and I’ll remember it forever. I have lifelong friends all over the world now.

I took a gap year after high school and chose to spend my Fall onboard S/Y Argo and sail from Palau, through Indonesia, to Bangkok Thailand. I had some scuba diving experience, but had never even been aboard a sailboat before. The Seamester staff was supportive and amazing. I made some of my strongest friendships and had the most amazing experiences, from diving with oceanic manta rays to long night watches sailing through the rough South China Seas. I learned so much about diving, sailing, and marine sciences, as well as so much about myself as a person. I would recommend Seamester to anyone considering it!

There are no words to describe the multitude of experiences I had as a crewmember of Vela. A 23-day Pacific Ocean Crossing (right after the once-in-a-lifetime adventure of going through the Panama Canal) is a trip I will never forget. Waking up in the middle of the night for watch, with a team of eight other newly made best friends is such a unique experience. Nothing could have prepared me for the beautiful stars I saw out in the middle of the ocean, and the amazing bonds I made with my peers and staff!

This was an incredible experience, starting from enrolling in the program until the very last day of the trip. The support while preparing for this adventure could not have been better. The Global Expedition Group staff was absolutely amazing and answered all my questions very quickly and were very flexible. I realized how closely they followed us during the trip and how hard they worked to make everything happen as smoothly as possible when we had to turn back during the trip due to the broken propeller (oups). I still remember the day I arrived on board as if it was yesterday. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I soon realized that I wasn't alone in this. The group soon became like a second family to me. We followed and supported each other through this adventure until we became our own little community in the middle of the ocean. We learned to appreciate waking up at midnight for our watch under the stars. We learned the rope, the sailing, the hard work that sailors seem to enjoy so much. We adapted to new situations and surprises. I would say, one of my highlight of this amazing adventure was caused by an unforeseeable event: we had to turn back because our propeller broke while underway to the Galapagos. The sailing that followed was challenging, yet amazing. This whole situation made our group stronger. We manage our way to the Galapagos with a few days delay, but I wouldn't change any of the trip. If this trip have learned me one thing, it would be that the best things come from the unplanned situations. To make it short, this whole trip was absolutely incredible. From day 1 to day 90, strangers became family, the new crew of Vela. Through our busy days, we made friends that challenges brought closer. We swam with dolphins, turtles and sea lions. We came up after every dive with a broad smile and new stories to tell. Diving and sailing in different places, countries and oceans opened up our eyes on this unique world of ours. Our staffs was the heart of the crew and worked with us to make Vela our home. She still is part of me and will always be. We didn't even see the last day come by, and in a matter of hours filled with laughter and crying, we say our goodbyes to Vela and the crew, hearts full of unforgettable memories.

Best think I have ever done in my life I have learned so many new things the people the places the school it was all so amazing. From waking up in the morning to 25 other random people from around the world with the biggest smiles on their faces was so awesome. This made me realize what I want to do with my life and it was the best thing I’ve ever done

This was the best thing that I have ever done in my life opened my eyes to a whole new world that I am obsessed with now. I would do anything to go back right now. From the lifestyle of waking up early morning yo a boat filled with smiles to the long passages going crazy together I miss this lifestyle. If you do this trip you will not regret it at all This made me switch up the way I lived it showed me to appreciate everything so much more. From my mindset to my new unrest this trip really changed my life I love everything that we did with the trip. I love every single person I met and we all still talk just about everyday. This creates connections with people from all around the world Best thing in my life so far hopefully I’m coming back to work for you guys :)

I had the privilege of attending Sea|mester in Spring 2019 for the Antigua Yacht Regatta voyage on S/Y Ocean Star. I am now a graduating senior and recently was accepted into graduate school to study great white sharks-a dream of mine for many years. During the time I was at sea exploring the Caribbean, learning to sail, and becoming a Divemaster, I wrote a collection of personal essays, interweaving the area’s biology and ecology with personal introspection about how these ideas related to my growth, and I watercolored scientific illustrations of fish and invertebrates which resulted in winning my college’s Outstanding Honors Thesis Award. My time on Ocean Star was instrumental to my achievements. Onboard, I gained confidence in myself and my passions, and came away knowing that the ocean was what I wanted to devote my life to and that I had the ability to make a difference. So thank you, Sea|mester. Thank you for giving me, along with every other student who gets to be involved in this program, opportunities that can change lives.

For a while I was nervous about voyage but quickly realized that everyone was in the same position as me. The community that was built on this trip was enough to make it all worth it. We visited some of the most unique and beautiful places i've ever been to and it enabled me to see a new part of the world.

Everything was perfect ! From the staff helping me prepare for my voyage on S/Y Ocean Star, to the crew for being so amazing. I made some of the best memories of my life during seamester. Some things I'll never forget include deep diving in Saba, small boat sailing, exploring the islands as well as countless others !

I had amazing journey on Ocean Star through the Caribbean that I will never forget. The sights you see are just incredible and won’t stop reminiscing over. Everyday brings new challenges and adventures that will push you to better yourself.

Semester is truly an amazing program created by amazing people who know that adventure, getting out of your comfort zone, and living with 15 or more strangers for 20 or more days will develop you into an amazing human. That is the experience I had on Ocean Star with 15 people for 20 days. The program challenges you and bonds you in ways you can’t imagine. The benefit or getting to know each and every crew member by the daily “squeeze” ritual after dinner was one of my favorite memories. The learning experience of exploring new places, plus reality of how vital our oceans health is to society was something I’ll never forget and walking away from a voyage inspired to change this world we live in. I am forever grateful to the staff of Seamester. I highly recommend seamester to every individual and to do whatever it takes to get on that ship. You will not regret it!

This trip will stay with me for the rest of my life. I made friends that I know I will never lose. I had adventures that can be told again and again. I saw parts of the world that I didn’t even know existed. I learned facts that impress my family. I can’t even put into words how much I enjoyed this experience. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

I applied for this trip because I love sailing and I wanted an abroad experience that would allow myself to see as many beautiful places as possible. What I did not realize is that my fellow crew members would become my second family. From the very first time we were underway to the last, everyone was always looking out for one another to ensure their safety and to make sure we all had the best experience possible. Learning outside of a typical classroom was one of the best aspects about this program, while underwater learning was absolutely incredible. For me, I didn't think I was going to love SCUBA diving as much as I did, and now I can go diving whenever I want. Sailing under the stars, through beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and rainstorms were all what made this adventure so much fun. Waking up in a new country with a sense of adventure and excitement almost every day is something I am truly going to miss. Letting go of the rest of society, only worrying about yourself and shipmates, and living on the little island of Argo is an unforgettable experience.

This trip was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done. When I tell people about it, it’s hard to because you’re forced to use a few words to describe something great. I went and saw the world differently from the actual tourist perspective. Also, I was with people that probably cared as much or even a little more about my general welfare than my folks back home. Great experience all around.

How can I even put into words the mind-bending experience I just finished? Even if I tried, I couldn't capture the beauty of the places we visited, or the kindness of the people we met, on and off the boat. I naturally felt nervous about stepping into the wide unknown, but my fear of danger and discomfort proved unfounded. While we had some very adventurous days, I never felt out of my depth or as if I were teetering on the edge of death. Everyone on the boat took care of us and made it an unforgettable experience. Like I said, there are no words.