Study Abroad Programs in St. Barts

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 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.

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!

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!!

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

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.

Broadreach responded to this reviewOctober 20, 2022

Thank you for your review! We love hearing about all the friendships and bonds created on Broadreach.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Broadreach responded to this reviewFebruary 17, 2022

Thanks for taking the time to write a review, Emma! We're glad you had a great time on your trip.

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.

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