Interview: School pupils are sailing round the world for a year, leaving their mobile phones behind

​From August 2027, the ‘Johann Smidt’ is set to sail round the world for a year with 27 young people on board. Ocean College Managing Director Johan Kegler discusses the trip’s cost of 64,500 euros, scholarships, low teachers’ salaries and a strict mobile phone policy on board.

Next summer, we’ll be setting sail on the sail-training ship “Johann Smidt” Around the world in a year. The planned route takes them across the Atlantic and through the Panama Canal into the Pacific, then on to Australia, across the Indian Ocean to South Africa, and finally back to Europe. Young people aged 15 and over can apply for one of the 27 places until 10 January 2027.

Mr Kegler, why is it all about the world?

Because no German training ship has ever done this before. And because the standard school system no longer even comes close to preparing pupils for the realities of their future lives and careers. We wanted to take on a new challenge and set a new standard. After nine years of sailing the Atlantic route, it doesn’t get boring, but it does become routine.

The route goes round South Africa. Half the crew might be feeling a bit queasy …

Definitely – even in the Bay of Biscay. It was absolutely brutal this year. But once you’ve set sail, the seasickness eventually wears off.

The 64,500 euros in travel expenses are not covered by the provisions on pocket money.

As with the winter trips, this is usually privately funded. That said, I’m proud to say that on each of the nine trips so far, we’ve taken a student with a full scholarship. These were all recipients of housing benefit or the citizen’s income. The price is actually far too low for what we offer, but it is, of course, a lot of money. At least two-thirds of the parents struggle to finance the trips. But the cost-benefit ratio of the standard school system is much worse – a D- at best.

Why are the costs higher than two half-yearly trips costing 28,000 euros?

We face a high price risk on items such as food, port charges and diesel, and we need to build in a buffer for this.

Will a scholarship be awarded for this round-the-world sailing trip as well?

I’d love to give half the crew a slap. But you get what you pay for – I’ve learnt that the hard way too.

Is it difficult to find teachers for this?

Every year, we receive 160 applications for 8 places. We are looking for candidates aged 28 to 32 who have completed their teaching training and have some initial teaching experience.

Surely they can’t expect a civil servant’s salary?

We have proper employment contracts with social security cover – after all, we are a limited liability company (GmbH). But the pay is only a quarter of the normal salary; we compensate with the unique experience. And with free board and lodging.

Three years wasn’t long enough, say many long-distance sailors. The ‘Johann Smidt’ is due to complete the circumnavigation in a year’s time.

Good point – it’s going to be quite a journey. We’ve specifically included Australia in the route; the pupils will travel overland from Sydney in the east to the west. Meanwhile, the ship carrying pupils from the German school in Australia will sail around the outside.

Will a lack of Wi-Fi become a major problem?

No, forcing them to go on a detox is the greatest gift we can give the pupils. On the half-term trip, they’re only allowed to use their mobile phones five times.

And who keeps a spare mobile under their pillow?

That’s grounds for being thrown out.