Seamester

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.

Being a student on Sea|Mester was the most incredible experience of my life. I did the South Africa to Antigua voyage on Vela, and it exceeded any and all expectations I could have possibly had. I got to visit places that I never thought I would get to go. I met people that started out as strangers, but quickly became family to me. Prior to Sea|Mester, I had very little sailing experience and no diving experience and I think that that is a common turn off for people that come across this program, but you have no need to be worried if you're in that boat (haha). The staff does an exceptional job teaching you the ropes, making you feel safe, and making you feel like the boat is your home. If you're a hands on learning that thrives on getting outside of your comfort zone, adventure, and travel then this program is for you. I can not effusive enough how much Sea|Mester and my crew changed my life. If you're presented with the privilege to be a student on Sea|Mester... do it. If Sea|Mester taught me anything, it's to say yes even when you're scared. The greatest adventure of your life could be waiting for you.

loved it. The challenges that brought people together and helped me grow as a person, the sheer beauty and thrill of sailing across an ocean, all the stops along the way, and the list goes on and on. The staff were super super super incredible and I wish that everyone had the opportunity to do something this awesome and fun. Thanks for the best summer ever. I did actionquest two years before and I knew the GXG was an awesome group. I would recommend taking some stuff off the packing list because I did overpack. That might’ve just been me though. Loved the food and even though they warned us we would get tired of pasta, I never did. All the staff was awesome. They always cared selflessly and made the trip so much fun. They always made sure to put us before themselves and even though I would’ve been tired of dealing with us by the end, they were always energetic, smiling, and positive.
I was able to grow as a person and socialize better.
This trip was awesome.

SeaMester was an absolutely life changing experience, I don't think there would have been a better way to spend three months. The lessons are invaluable, the staff is amazing, the locations are unforgettable. I participated in this program nearly five years ago and the effects are still rippling through my present day. I had did first open water dive aboard SY Argo back in 2019 and just this past year was able to get my PADI DiveMaster. I am currently saving up for a small sailboat of my own to explore and dive in with my friends (probably will have some of my SeaMester pals onboard to crew with me). I'm so excited for the day that I can revisit these wonderful places in my own boat, sailing & diving with the friends I made back during SeaMester. Not only was the trip incredibly fun, it was so informative. I started my semester thinking my girlfriend was silly for not using plastic straws and left that semester absolutely horrified at the state of plastic pollution in our beautiful oceans. SeaMester will open your eyes, teach you lessons, and inspire new passions to last a lifetime. DO IT!