For over 30 years, Sea|mester and our affiliated programs have offered water-based academic and adventure training programs for students around the world. When we first developed our programs, our model was innovative and unique. As a result of our success and growing reputation throughout the years, other programs have followed in our wake.
Today, Sea|mester remains one of the most trusted names in study abroad programming of this type and is the only sailing based educational program to circumnavigate the globe.
There are many reasons why we outperform every other study abroad at sea experience. Here are just a few examples of what sets us apart...
Program Philosophy & Design
Our programs have always been grounded in experiential education. The core of any Sea|mester Voyage is that our students spend their entire study abroad experience aboard a sailing vessel that they are capable of handling for themselves. At Sea|mester we do not live on a cruise ship. If the vessel is moving, it's because the students allowed it to move. At Sea|mester no part of your experience is confined by the four walls of a traditional classroom. There is no onshore study component, our students live - and learn - aboard their ship for their entire experience.
Sea|mester voyages are centered on small, co-ed, groups of 12 to 25 young adults. This encourages close friendships to form while fostering a unique, hands-on experience. Voyages are highly experiential, non-competitive, adventure-based and are run full-time aboard our traditional sailing schooners. This offers the perfect environment to develop leadership and communication skills, as there is nothing contrived about teamwork when working together as part of a tight-knit crew. We know that our students have a greater feeling of accomplishment from having completed things themselves. In addition, self-reliance and confidence soar from achieving new skills and certifications.
Experience
We are the most experienced in "at sea" academic adventure travel of this type. Our safety record, combined staff experience and long history of both student and parent satisfaction make us the natural choice for those looking beyond a traditional study abroad experience.
Leadership
We take great pride in the knowledge that our staff are some of the most highly qualified in the professional yachting industry. All are qualified professionals with significant teaching experience in their subject areas. Every member of our team is multi-talented, combining the practical skills essential to the operation of a mobile live-aboard program with the more traditional university, graduate and post-graduate degree education. All are proven educators, leaders and, above all, role models and mentors. The collective experience, outlook and perspective that these individuals bring is essential to the mission of Sea|mester.
Our Vessels
Sea|mester owns and operates two traditionally rigged schooners; The 112-ft schooner S/Y Argo and the 88-ft schooner, S/Y Ocean Star. Both vessels were designed and constructed with safety and trainability in mind first and foremost. As a result, they have become perfect homes and floating classrooms for our students as they ply the world's oceans.
S/Y Argo was completed in June 2006. Her design is the product of the close collaboration between Langan Design Associates of Newport Rhode Island and Sea|mester. Langan Design Associates are renowned for creating some of the world's most impressive sailing yachts. This mastery of yacht design coupled with thirty years of experience in setting to sea with students on educational programs, has produced a vessel that is incredibly safe, capable and beautiful.
S/Y Ocean Star was launched in 1991 as a school ship for Ocean Navigator Magazine. Over the years, she sailed the waters between Canada and the Caribbean, enabling adult students to learn navigation and nautical skills.
Both of our vessels fly the British red ensign and are part of the UK Ship Register which, in turn, is under the control of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) - one of the best performing flags in the major Port State Control regime, with a reputation for maintaining the highest international standards. Each yacht is inspected annually by a representative from the Bureau Veritas who, on behalf of the MCA, certifies that the vessel is maintained to their rigid standards.
Open to all skill levels
No previous experience is necessary to join a Sea|mester Voyage. Our academic classes are, for the most part, taught to a 100 / 200 level. The experience of sailing across major oceans, scuba diving world renowned sites, and exploring unique cultures are as accessible to beginners as they are to the most seasoned sailor or diver!
