Wilderness Gap Year Programs in Hawaii (USA)

Life changing experience, made memories for life. I would passionately recommend this program to anyone unsure of their gap year plans.

Our son was having a difficult time at school and needed reset. Pacific Discovery provided that and so much more. I’d go so far as to say it was a life changing experience for him.

As a parent, I felt my son was in the best hands. He had the most amazing time, gained friends and experiences that he will cherish forever. The program was a great combination between seeing new places, learning about different cultures and doing community service, as well as having fun. For me, receiving regular updates from Pacific Discovery, as well as personal updates when necessary, put my mind at ease.

Awesome experience. Was able to step out of my comfort zone plenty of times and got to experience things I never thought I would. So many experiences like village stay and camping near the beach in New Zealand that I’d never thought in à million years I would experience. Amazing program. I recommend 100%

This was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done in my entire life. I would say with confidence that I had learned more during this 10 week program than I have in the two years of college that I have already attended.

I went on the polynesian gap year journey not knowing exactly what to expect. I remember a day before it hit me that i would be spending 10 weeks with complete strangers. However, these were some of the best people I have met and best friends for life. There were many experiences that one would unlikely ever experience without doing a programme as such and i therefore highly recommend it. Many people were put out of their comfort zones and had to take risks which caused them to growth as an individual.

My Polynesian journey with Pacific Discovery has helped me get over a lot of my fears and anxiety around social interaction and relationships as well as my physical fears and it has really helped me to grow as a person

Literally the time of a lifetime, never experienced something like this ever, and even though I’m young this will be something I will 100% tell my kids about. So much happened in only 10 weeks it’s hard to even fathom.

I would highly recommend Pacific Discovery for any student with uncertain post high school plans. Pacific Discovery turned our daughter's semester into an amazing opportunity to immerse in new cultures, meet lifelong friends and participate in new experiences (surfing!). I only wish I had taken this opportunity after high school!

The experiences that I had on this program made me realize that there’s so much more out there. It made me realize what life is actually about. Life doesn’t revolve around accomplishing achievements and living up to the expectations of others. You can make life as great as you want it to be. Life is about doing the things that make you happy. It’s about finding the things that make you excited about life and chasing them. I’m proud to say that I became the best version of myself on this trip. Time’s too precious to think twice. Don’t be afraid to take a unknown path, break free from routine and enjoy every step of the way. You’re capable of everything that you dream of. I’ve always wanted to see the world and learn all about it and this journey was the perfect balance between those two. It made me even more excited about acting up and making a change. I feel extremely lucky that I’m going home with the most magical memories and best friends I’ve ever made.

These past 10 weeks have been the best of my entire life. I never ever would have expected to have gone on this Polynesian Journey, but it was one of, if not the, best decision of my life. I feel like I have found love for myself and appreciation for the world around me and have been able to see so much more than what I am used to in my bubble back home. I have met so many amazing people. I have met forever friends and genuinely could not have wished for a better experience. I would recommend Pacific Discovery to absolutely everything. If you are trying to find yourself and going to school isn’t what is right for you right now, take this leap of faith. You deserve it and trust me it is worth it.

Awesome time. This trip helped me realize there’s more to life then just going straight to college and being a follower just like everyone else. Helped me to understand that I shouldn’t waste time working jobs that I hate that if you do what you love and are good at it, the money will come. I would totally recommend the program to others I had a blast. The program was very helpful to me and brought lots of confidence and happiness. I met some great people that I see as longtime friends now. Each leg of this program is different and brings the group together in different ways. Hell of a time, wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I would recommend this experience for many reasons. I think it greatly helps you grow and become a better person through all of the different experiences, service work and living with others for a period of 10 weeks. I’ve personally gained new perspectives on so many different things and have so many things that I plan on taking away with me from this program that I hope to continue to implement when I return home. I think overall this program was amazing, the instructors were better than I could’ve ever asked for and so were those on the program. You’re truly never judged and can be your true self from day one.

I’ve definitely grown on this program. My perspective on things have changed and I have learnt so much about other cultures and about environmental issues. Seeing the impact up close really makes you want to act more. I have also just learnt more about myself. I would recommend this program to others, because I have honestly never been happier than on this program. The other students, instructors and the beautiful places you get to meet and see really gives you no reason to worry about other things. I would share with my prior program self that I should enjoy every single second 10 times more than I already did. My experience with Pacific Discovery was everything I could have wished for. It’s a very special way of traveling around the world and learning about other cultures. You do something for others and the environment while also learning so much about yourself, so it’s beneficial in many ways.

This program is absolutely one of a kind in so many ways. I’ve met some of the best people in the world and have had such unique experiences that I will remember forever. The friendships are something I will never let go of, as well as the memories!

This program pushes boundaries and really promotes growth. I was nervous at first and still had some tough days but the people on the trip with you are going through the same thing. Growing together creates such strong friendships and bonds that will truly last forever and it is so worth a little discomfort. So many ideas are planted and can flourish during or after this trip and by far helped me find my passion for school and education.

My experience here in Hawaii has been life changing. I’ve learned so much and even though I didn’t learn exactly what I wanted to study or do with my life, I learned that being passionate about something makes it a 100x better to do that every day. So also choose passion over the easier way it’ll be worth it in the end.

If only my past self could see all the amazing places I would visit, the people I would meet, and the person I have become. The Polynesian Journey with Pacific Discovery has changed my life for the better!

I feel that I am able to appreciate culture and nature so much more now. This trip made me so much more comfortable making friends and truly being myself. I feel as if I have grown in so many ways from this trip and gained so many connections and experiences. I am way more confident now. Follow the breadcrumbs of life. Never say no to an experience. Don’t be too quick to judge people.

My time with Pacific Discovery in Hawai’i was beyond amazing. Having had a hard time with a brain injury holding me back from the paths I thought I would take, I was looking for something that would not only give me a break from my injury, but rejuvenate my soul. My PD experience did just that! Being surrounded by an amazing group of friends that quickly became family, and two incredible instructors, I found the safety I had been looking for to let go, and enjoy new experiences. I was very excited to get to immerse in the local Hawaiian culture, and found that the program immersed us even more than I could have imagined. I now feel like I know Hawaii better than my own backyard. It felt really good to connect to a place at such a deep level. When people ask me how was Hawai’i, I sometimes find myself at a loss of words. It can be hard to describe how good it felt to be connected to a new place and new friends in such a unique way. I am forever grateful for my time in Hawai’i with Pacific Discovery and hope to do another program sometime soon!

Pacific Discovery responded to this reviewOctober 03, 2022

Hi Maddie, thank you so much for sharing your experience on the Hawaii Summer program with us! We are thrilled to hear how transformative the program was for you and that it helped you with your healing journey physically, mentally, and emotionally. We would be delighted to see you on another program! :)