A Bermudian teenager sailing on the world’s largest operational tall ship will be returning home for a short time later this week.

Elijah Samuels, 18, who graduated from the Berkeley Institute last year, has been sailing on the Sorlandet since September and is the first Bermudian to do so.

Through the A-plus World Academy, students on the ship receive a high school education and college credits while travelling to 11 countries and 16 cities throughout the academic year.

The programme, open to people aged 16 to 19, is also available as a gap-year option, which is what Elijah chose.

The Sorlandet will arrive in Hamilton on Thursday and leave on Wednesday March 15.

Elijah, as well as his crewmates and faculty, will be speaking at several schools and sailing programmes while in port and the ship will host an open house on Saturday at Pier Six.

Adam Rule, the Academy’s director of admissions, will also be on-island this week to talk about the unique opportunity A-plus provides to students.

One of Elijah’s mentors, Humberto Sauri, called him a mindful and caring person.

He added: “He was the first student in his watch to step in and offer the rest help if they needed it, even if it was to have someone to talk to.

“He has an adventurous soul, is willing to do activities available at every port, loves spending time with other students and has made a lot of friends through the school year.

“Last but not least, he is an amazing sailor, and he seems happy to be on-board the Sorlandet. We are happy to have him in our family.”

Saturday’s open house will run from 2pm to 6pm.