Study Abroad Programs in Guadeloupe

I loved learning to sail on Vela, exploring every new place we sailed to like devils island with no inhabitants was pretty cool too. Meeting some of my new favourite people in the form of my crew was pretty sweet too. I’m going to miss it<3

The time I spent on this adventure is something I will never forget. I won't forget the amazing people and places we visited. no matter what I know I will hold this experience I won't forget, and there won't be another like it. The Classes were great as well as the sail handling as well. Thank you for the amazing time I and my freinds had

I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in adventure, trying new things, and being a part of a team. When I came across Seamester online, it just felt right from the beginning, and I knew it was something I wanted to do. Actually, going on the trip was even better and like coming home. A value of mine is living life to the fullest, enjoying the small things, and I want to live a life where at the end, I know I did everything and felt everything. I have never felt as alive and so at home as I did on Argo. It is hard to describe all the emotions I've felt over the past 90 days. I have never felt so close to people and myself as I did on Argo. I have learned to love people in a deeper way and gained a new appreciation for everything. I am extremely grateful for all the lifelong friendships made. I am proud of myself for taking the jump and who I've become through the experience. If you share any of the same interests and are considering doing a Seamester, I urge you to do it because it will change you in ways you can't even imagine.

Seamester was an amazing experience. It challenged me in so many ways including physically and mentally, and I grew so much as a person in several different ways. I loved seeing the world on a sailboat and it truely was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

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.

If you’re a student thinking of doing Seamester, I cannot tell you enough…DO IT! Going on this voyage has absolutely changed my life. Not only did I get to cross an ocean, see the world, scuba dive, and meet the most incredible people, but I also left the boat a more confident, competent, and better version of myself. The academics are rigorous but reasonable, and I loved learning about the ocean in the most hands-on possible environment. I cannot recommend Seamester enough and will never forget each special memory from my time aboard Vela!

I had a wonderful time studying with SeaMester aboard Vela on the 2024 South Africa to Caribbean trip. I was consistently impressed with the organization of the trip, as well as the support from the office and staff onboard. This particular voyage had a lot of time sailing in blue water, which created a close environment between the students and allowed us to focus on school during the first half of the trip. By the time we got to the Caribbean we were able to focus intensely on diving and exploring the various islands with people we had already crossed an ocean with. I particularly enjoyed the leadership class, as it tied the emotional side of the trip together as well as taught us how to be better people in general.

The hardest question after returning from this trip is "What was your favorite part?". The only answer is EVERYTHING. Everyday on Ocean Star is absolutely incredible and just when you think you've seen it all it only gets better! Living onboard with your fellow students, you will get to experience the trip as a working member of the crew. That's right, This is NOT a cruise ship. Be prepared for dance parties while cooking in the galley, cleaning the saloon and heads, and getting your hands dirty hauling lines and flaking the anchor chain. Within 3 days, every person on the boat will feel like family and by the end you will have up to 15 lifelong friends. The Seamester staff are AMAZING! They care so much about every student and want to see each person thrive. They provide top of the line medical care and good medical facilities were easily accessible everywhere we went (speaking from personal injury experience). If you, or your parents, are concerned about storms, they closely monitor the weather and will alter the course or the schedule if necessary to make sure the conditions are safe. I came into this program with next to no sailing or diving experience (as did the majority of the students on my trip) and I never felt behind at all. We started with basic sailing 101 for everyone and slowly built our skills from there. In a few short weeks, you'll have a brand new boat vocabulary and be confident enough to take the helm on passage! The 80 days I spent on Ocean Star were some of the best days of my life! We went horseback riding on the beach in Nevis, toured a chocolate factory in Grenada, found the geckos on Union Island, visited a mud bath in St. Lucia, went canyoning in Guadeloupe, dove with reef sharks in Saba, and so much more! This experience was better than I could have ever dreamed. If you are adventurous, hard working, open minded and up for any challenge, then this program is for you. Apply! I promise you will regret it if you don't!

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!

This has been the most amazing trip of my life just now finishing up and cannot believe the experience I have gained from traveling. The traveling, sailing, academics all of it as a whole is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. From traveling the streets of Rome to diving the blue waters of Dominica nothing compares to a trip of this caliber. The academics have been great especially seeing the things you learn about in class as we are diving or sailing is amazing. Straight from classroom to using the skills or topics in the real world. 10/10 would do this trip again and wish it would never end.

Seamester was definitely one of the best experiences of my life! This is not a luxurious sailing program (there’s no crew to sail you from place to place or cook for you), but that makes it so much better. Learning to sail while actually living on a boat was amazing. You can look forward to swimming in the ocean every day, getting really close with your fellow crew, and making so many cool memories!!

I came aboard S/Y Argo in Cape Town, SA, with very little sailing experience and having never taken any university-level courses before. The crew was very welcoming and within a few days, I had become acquainted with all of my fellow students. I found that the professors were very understanding and really just wanted to help grow students' passions for the ocean. The night watches were always a solid time, a positive mindset is encouraged lol. I participated in the PSCT (professional skipper and crew training) course, on top of the 12 credits, I thought the workload at some times was a lot, but still manageable. It was great to hear from our skipper and program manager about how they came to becoming yachtmasters through IYT and RYA. I made friendships that I hope will last a lifetime, got to surf some at some of the best beaches in the world (Fernando De Noronha, Brasil), swim with whalesharks (!!!) next to the island with Napolean's grave, race in a regatta, and just do so much exploring on land and in the ocean!

My time aboard the S/Y was an extremely rewarding experience and I think more people my age could benefit from this program. We had an incredible staff who were all super knowledgeable and passionate. They went above and beyond to help students learn and grow. All the staff members truly had an incredible impact on me. I always trusted them and knew that they had our best interests in mind. They helped me through personal, academic, and medical issues with grace and care. Our whole group, staff and students, worked really well together and I’m most thankful for the people I met. Program-wise, I think living on a boat and being an active crew member was the most impactful part. I wouldn’t feel half as accomplished if I didn’t spend hours in the pouring rain in the middle of the night or spend 3 days puking in a bucket. Being grimy and working hard gave me a purpose and I think that is most valuable. It was tough at times, but the accomplishment of getting to new places and being able to swim and explore with your best friends was incredibly worth it. This trip changed me for the better and now I'm working on getting back on the Seamester boats as a staff member, so that I can inspire college kids the way I was.

This was the best experience of my life truly once in a lifetime adventure! This voyage helped me discover who I was am while putting me in a challenging environment. I made the best of friends and will never be the same. Thank you so much seamester!

This experience completely altered the course of my life. I have learned so much from my fellow students and staff and therefore can without a doubt say that this was the best decision I have ever made for myself. My new perspectives and outlook on life are indescribable, and I hardly recognize my old self. My favorite memories are the little moments: a private laugh across the cockpit, staying up with another watch team an extra 30 minutes, skipping through clouds on top of a mountain, a giant stride, a smile, a hug, a squeeze. Throw yourself fully into this experience because it is only what you make it. It's crazy what happens when you let go and surrender yourself to everything and everyone around you, and what better place than the ocean!

It was the best thing i’ve ever done in my entire life. This trip is a serious blessing, I miss it more than anything in my entire life, I am extremely lucky. The relationships i were able to create, the things i got to see, the things i learned that I love so much. It was great

Every day was different from the last and the constant adventure is something I will never forget! The students and staff onboard were all fantastic and I made some of the best friends ever in such a short period of time. I wish I had done the 90-day voyage but I think even after that I would be wanting more.

I had the time of my life! What made my best time was the diversity of experiences and learnings we made and the balance between academic classes, diving, sailing, on-shore activities, free time with the crew.

I came upon this trip due to an interest in marine biology and diving. Even if I did not have these interests I still would highly recommend going on this voyage. It was honestly the best time of my life and I met people that I will be friends with for the rest of my life. Whether it was an awesome hike or a great dive, there was never a dull moment. You will be busy, but it is a good type of busy especially when you get to hang out everyday with awesome people and staff. Got to get my rescue diving certification which is also sick and nav master license. The classes are not bad either and the staff do a great job at making them interesting. Overall, I would love to do this trip again and will do my best to make it back on a vessel like Ocean Star in the future.

My seamester voyage was remarkable. Every day brought new adventures, challenges, and opportunities to learn. I remember thinking “I could describe any day on Ocean Star to someone at home and it would seem like an adventure.” Part of the joy of the trip, maybe counterintuitively, came from having to work hard to maintain the boat, build relationships and a positive culture aboard, and meet my own personal needs in a wholly new environment. I went to bed every night tired but satisfied, and I came out of the experience proud of what I had accomplished. I made life long friends on my voyage, including the Seamester staff, who inspire me and motivate me. I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything.