Costa Rica Mini Semester | Pacific Discovery

Pacific Discovery and their partner travel coordinators have been amazing! This is the first time I have sent one of my children on a gap program and it has been everything I could have hoped and dreamed. My child not only received college credit for this adventure, but she developed invaluable social skills, worldly knowledge, self-reliance and independence that I am already seeing make a positive impact on her interpersonal relationships and self-esteem.

Joined this trip as a 22-year-old on a year off of college and had an absolute blast with an amazing group. We hiked, kayaked, ziplined, rafted in the Pacuare river (one of the top five in the world for it), surfed, took yoga and dance classes, and stayed in several beautiful, small-scale rural family farms and eco lodges as part of the program that were truly unforgettable!

I really feel I grew as a person on this trip. I learned so much about myself, my strengths and weaknesses, and local cultures. Both mentally and physically I feel like a stronger person! My main lesson was learning how important it is to look on the bright side of every situation. If I could tell my pre-program self anything, it would be to be positive. Make sure not to let negatives consume you. You’re in these beautiful, unique places - Make the most of it. I’d recommend this program to grow as a person and learn about yourself, and to make friends for life. I feel like some of these people I’m gonna stay in touch with for years to come.