Australia Summer Program | Pacific Discovery

I haven’t even made it home yet and I already have friends asking me what program I am on! I would recommend this program to anyone possible as it’s a great step to take towards independent travel and adulthood!! Leaving this program with wonderful friendships and connections.

This Australia College Summer Program with Pacific Discovery was a blast. It was an adventure of a lifetime and’s filled with magical moments. I made so many amazing connections with the other students and locals!

My instructors guided me to become a more laid back person. My home environment is incredibly high energy and stressful, and I learned through Pacific Discovery that I have the power to eliminate most of that stress while nurturing my curiosity and need to explore everything. I have the power to shape my own life, and that, to me, is a ground-breaking realization.

Pacific Discovery has been such a positive experience for me overall! The first few days of the trip I was skeptical about how well the group would mesh but by the end of the trip I have gotten close with everyone here. The instructors I had (Henry & Kali) have both been such positive influences on me and have shown me different ways to be a leader and make a positive impact on my community. Meeting some of the local people and seeing how much they care for their environment and the way they interact with their community has made me want to travel even more and connect with as many different people as I can!

I had an incredible life changing time on this trip, so much so that I now know for a 100% fact that I HAVE to come back to Australia because of how much I fell in love with this country and this trip! I think that this trip is a phenomenal way, particularly for younger travelers, to be able to experience life abroad in a very educational, safe yet expansive way! I wish I could do this trip again and again because I genuinely don’t think it would ever run out of surprises and fun!

I grew up in New York City surrounded by bright lights and skyscrapers. I found myself longing for nature. I wanted something new: I wanted to immerse myself in a new way of life. I was drawn to Australia’s unique culture and breathtaking landscapes. I decided to sign up for Pacific Discovery’s summer program in Australia. I was really nervous before my trip because I had little experience hiking and camping. Looking back on my experience, I had nothing to worry about. I was welcomed with open arms and nothing but positive smiles. My group traveled up the coast of Australia, starting in Sydney and ending in Cairns. My favorite memories include surfing in Crescent Head and skydiving over the Great Barrier Reef. My group worked alongside National Parks staff in endangered landscapes. We participated in bush regeneration projects and numerous beach cleanups. We also learned about Australia’s unique environmental and ecological history, emphasizing the lasting presence and influence of aboriginal people. The trip would not have been the same without our amazing group leader, Tari Kumari. She is a constant source of positive energy. She pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me grow to become the individual I am today. I could not have asked for a more perfect mentor. Her enthusiasm, selflessness, and kind heart are inspiring. When I grow up, I hope to be like Tari. I can truly say that I came back from Australia as a more open-minded and open-hearted individual. The trip gave me a positive outlook on life that I carry with me every day. I long for adventure and more experiences like the one that Pacific Discovery gave me. Thank you for everything Tari and Pacific Discovery. I highly recommend this trip!

This trip meant the world to me and was the best break from the high stress environment I face during university life. I really appreciated this program's care for the environment, personal development, and focus on adventure! I was unsure of how I would react to structured travel program after having traveled a lot on my own. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed not having to worry about the details or organizing accommodation, transportation, and main activities. I already knew we were in the best places doing the best things! On top of that we were given plenty of free time and independence. I recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys adventure, pushing their own limits, is interested in learning more about the environment, or just wants to check out Australia.

When I first went to New Zealand to start my 9 week trip with Pacific Discovery, I was very nervous and unsure of how I would handle myself in such a new environment. However, I was immediately welcomed into the Pacific Discovery family and started experiencing so many incredible adventures that there wasn't even time to feel uncomfortable. My group became so close and our group leaders made every day an awesome experience. We had the freedom to do our own thing when we wanted to, but also had constant group activities that were fascinating, exhilarating, hilarious, or really peaceful... activities that ranged from skydiving to playing card games to silently floating down a beautiful river. Before the trip, I had considered myself a bookish and not very athletic person- I was open to trying new experiences, but I thought I was naturally not very good at being sporty. During our third week in New Zealand, we went rock climbing, and I really believed I wouldn't be able to do it. However, I kept trying, and ended up having the most amazing time that day. Rock climbing is still one of my favorite experiences of the whole trip. My trip with Pacific Discovery taught me that I can be any kind of person that I want to be. I tried almost every new experience that I came across during the trip, and they all turned out to be amazing and successful. My favorite memories from the trip were some of the activities that were initially the most frightening to me (my overall favorite experience was abseiling down a 30-meter waterfall in the Blue Mountains, Australia!). The trip helped me understand that even when situations seem challenging or impossible for me to overcome, it is completely possible for me to make it through them and even have a great experience while doing so! Overall, I am so thankful that I had the amazing opportunity to take a trip with Pacific Discovery. They provided me with incredible experiences, constant support and positivity, and an incomparable understanding of the wonderful countries that are New Zealand and Australia. I loved being part of the Pacific Discovery family and I hope that I will be able to visit them again at some point in the future! Academics: I learned so much fascinating information about New Zealand and Australia during my trip. Being able to visit museums and actual historical landmarks in those countries was truly a blessing, and Pacific Discovery did an amazing job facilitating those activities for our group. Program Administration: The entire Pacific Discovery staff are some of the kindest people I have ever met. I was extremely fortunate to be able to meet Scotty and Rachel and their unbelievably sweet son Kahu. Scotty spent the beginning of the trip traveling with our group, and he definitely helped me feel more welcomed and comfortable starting such a new experience in my life. We were also able to visit the entire family at their home. They were constantly so hospitable, kind, and positive that it was impossible to feel nervous or uncomfortable! Our group leaders, Holly and Dan, were also positive and supportive during the entire trip, and always fun to be around. I am so thankful that I got to meet the incredible Pacific Discovery administration during my trip; they are all simply such wonderful and inspirational people.