New Zealand & Fiji Summer Program | Pacific Discovery

I've traveled a lot in my life, before and after my experience with Pacific Discovery. I've gone on sight-seeing trips in Europe with my family, I've lived a year in Russia for a teaching opportunity, and I was immersed in a rural Senegalese village for 3 months through a college program. I say all this not to boast, but to prove the uniqueness of Pacific Discovery. Pacific Discovery New Zealand gave me something I would have never found without it, something I'll likely never find again. For me, this trip provided the perfect 4 weeks to turn strangers into a lifelong soul-family. A spirit of sheer adventure flowed through our group, and we were quickly bonded by adrenaline. Rainy, strenuous work in the beautiful countryside and cooking delightful meals together brought us all the closer. Years later, I look back at these 4 weeks with both complete gratitude and unbearable nostalgia. I can confidently say that only the family at Pacific Discovery could have provided the memories I love to call my own.

Pacific Discovery was an amazing experience. I was afraid that I would get homesick being on the other side of the world for a month, but it went by so fast, and when it was over, I didn't want to leave. I made friends that will last a lifetime, and participated in activities from skydiving to mountain biking, that I will never forget. I was fully immersed in the culture of New Zealand, it was absolutely incredible. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone who wants to learn lots , both about the world around them and themselves, and have an amazing travel experience.

"Be the hummingbird" - do our best, however small it may seem, in kaitiakitanga (guardianship) of the earth. This was our mantra while planting a seemingly endless parade of flax, cabbage trees, and manuka at Mimiwhangata Coastal Park and Abel Tasman National Park. Though we were hot, cold, tired, wet, and ready to quit at times, I wouldn't trade those days for anything. The New Zealand and Fiji Summer B 2016 program included two weeks of outdoor conservation work, one week of adventures in New Zealand (caving, skydiving, mountain biking, sea kayaking, hiking, ocean swimming, visiting Hobbiton), and one week of relaxing & reflecting time in Fiji (cave swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, crafting, fishing). The program felt like a year's worth of personal growth squeezed into one month. I came away with a broader sense of purpose in life, a deeper appreciation of people, and keener insights on life. I wholeheartedly recommend Pacific Discovery to everyone. It is a meaningful, well-thought-out, enrichment, and educational program.