Adventures on the high seas: young people sail around the world for seven months

Adventures on the high seas: young people sail around the world for seven months

This week it's time to cast off for 38 young people who are setting off on an exciting seven-month sailing trip from Bremerhaven on the charming three-master "Eendracht". As part of the project "High Seas High School" The young adults face the challenges of life at sea and will not only learn to sail, but also learn a lot about responsibility and teamwork.

The route leads via the Canary Islands and Cape Verde to the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Cuba, Bermuda and the Azores before finally returning to Germany. During this time, participants will not only navigate the ship, but also take care of themselves and others. Each of them has a task to take on: be it sailing, cooking or cleaning. The Hamburg student Jonah, at the tender age of 15, describes the trip as a great adventure and has decorated his bunk with personal items that give him a piece of home on the high seas.

Life school at sea

Everyday life on board is anything but boring. The young people are divided into four watches and have to follow a strict schedule. Lessons are offered by five teachers in small groups, based on the curriculum for the eleventh grades of Lower Saxony high schools. “The class doesn’t just stay in space, but expands across the world’s oceans,” explains project coordinator Victoria Effinghausen, who leads the German and history lessons.

The project started in 1993 at the Hermann Lietz School on the East Frisian island of Spiekeroog and has since attracted young people from all over Germany and abroad. To secure a place, interested parties must write a letter of motivation, ask a teacher for a recommendation and complete an interview. n-tv reports that such a trip costs around 32,000 euros, in addition to pocket money and expenses for equipment and necessary insurance.

From seasickness to digital detox

Of course, there are also challenges that young people have to adapt to. The prospect of seasickness and living in close quarters are topics that provide topics of conversation, while the dinner table on board is characterized by personal stories and experiences. Stricter rules such as a ban on alcohol and drugs, cell phone use only on land and silence after 10 p.m. ensure that the focus remains on the essentials: adventure and learning.

Preparations are already in full swing. Groceries are bought, emergency training is undertaken and saying goodbye to family members is emotional, especially for young people who leave older relatives behind. Afterwards it is clear that there is more than just the water and the wind. This project not only offers a school education in an adventurous setting, but also a transformative learning experience that could have a lasting impact on young people. This is also done by similar programs like Nautic Horizons clear, which pursue the goal of discovering personal passions and promoting intercultural experiences.