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Pacific Discovery

VerifiedProvider
4.5 / 5Student rating
295Reviews
24Programs
2001Year established

About Pacific Discovery

Join us on an overland journey of discovery, and get immersed in a facilitated learning environment that is designed to maximize the educational and life-skills potential for our participants. Our programs blend meaningful and challenging experiential travel, cultural immersion, personal and leadership development, outdoors and wilderness exploration, service learning projects, a focus on sustainability and travel ethics, and transferable academic credit options. The programs have two goals for participants: 1. Learning about the people, culture, religion, history, environments and issues of the region the program travels through. Then relating these experiences to bigger picture concepts of globalization, human rights, environment, sustainability and ethics. 2. Providing a framework for participants to learn about themselves, to push their boundaries, question their assumptions, to stimulate problem solving and inquiry skills, and to gain leadership and group skills. We aim to make the world a better place by providing extraordinary learning adventures that help participants gain the skills, confidence, and insight to reach their full potential in an increasingly global society, appreciate diversity in cultures, and further understanding of international issues.

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Pacific Discovery Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Pacific Discovery

4.5
295 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
158
4
130
3
7
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Day to Day Life
4.7
Community Engagement
4.7
Satisfaction
4.6
Volunteer Placement
4.6
Itinerary
4.5
Health & Safety
4.5

Participated in a Pacific Discovery Program? Share your experience now.

Review this Provider
Bronwyn JonesNovember 2025
From: New Zealand & Fiji Summer Program | Pacific Discovery

I was pushed out of my comfort zones and became a better person because of it.

Pacific Discovery will always have a special place in my heart. I learned so much about myself as well as other places and other people. I was pushed out of my comfort zones and became a better person because of it.

Anna MarsmanNovember 2025
From: Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands Gap Semester

I made amazing new memories

This Fall 2025 South America Semester program was an amazing experience where I made amazing new memories. There is time to explore nature and get to know the culture I a different way that you wouldn’t normally do.

Lara ZizliauskasNovember 2025
From: Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands Gap Semester

Made me grow so much as a person

Yes. This South America Semester program genuinely made me grow so much as a person and I am grateful to have made many meaningful connections, memories, and to have seen all the beautiful things I have on this program.

Greta TodNovember 2025
From: Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands Gap Semester

Pushing past my comfort zone

I had an amazing time on my gap semester. I learned so much and loved pushing past my comfort zone in activities, trying new things, and bonding with the group. I not only grew as a person but created lasting memories and connections.

Kaden SmeenkNovember 2025
From: Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands Gap Semester

Not a walk in the park but it's a program that I would recommend for someone who genuinely wants to be challenged

Rager of a program. I found myself struggling, thinking, and then growing constantly. It's not a walk in the park but it's a program that I would recommend for someone who genuinely wants to be challenged in order to be molded into a better version of themselves.

Anouk SethiNovember 2025
From: Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands Gap Semester

Achieved lots more

The two and a half months I spent in Peru and Ecuador flew by, and I still can’t believe everything we did. I came in hoping to improve my Spanish, but I achieved lots more. I overcame my fear of heights, learned practical life skills (like plunging a toilet), formed a close group bond, became a stronger hiker, and so much else.

Brianna CamposNovember 2025
From: Semester Abroad in New Zealand & Australia - Conservation

Made some unforgettable memories

This program is perfect for someone that loves and appreciates the outdoors and is very active. I had an amazing experience and made some unforgettable memories. I also made amazing new friendship with the other people on the program.

Noah WagnerNovember 2025
From: Semester Abroad in New Zealand & Australia - Conservation

An amazing experience

Pacific Discovery was an amazing experience! I formed amazing friendships and did countless bucket list activities. This program allowed me to grow as a person and push past my comfort zone. You won’t regret signing up for one of their trips.

Avalyn HavenNovember 2025
From: Australia & Bali Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery

An amazing program of self discovery and adventure

Pacific Discovery truly was an amazing program of self discovery and adventure. I could not have asked for a better experience with the lasting connections and memories I have made through my program.

Dylan GrayNovember 2025
From: Australia & Bali Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery

Every day is a new adventure and journey.

Pacific discovery has been the most thrilling and fun trip I have done in my lifetime. Whether it be the people I’ve met or the countless activities we have done every day is a new adventure and journey.

Dylan MallonNovember 2025
From: Australia & Bali Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery

An adventure of a lifetime

If you want to go on an adventure of a lifetime with people that you will never forget, don’t wait to discover pacific discovery. This program will not only be exhilarating, but will challenge you in just the right way.

Julius HagenNovember 2025
From: Australia & Bali Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery

Once in a lifetime experiences

Pacific Discovery offers programs that are not only unique, but once in a lifetime experiences. If you want to see as much as possible of a country and deep dive into different cultures, Pacific Discovery is just for you!

Natalie DunnApril 2025
From: Semester Abroad in New Zealand & Australia - Conservation

The group experience allowed him to travel to a new country in a safe environment without family.

The New Zealand and Australia trip was a wonderful experience for our son. The group experience allowed him to travel to a new country in a safe environment without family. He wanted to travel independently but we wanted him to learn within a safe environment first. Pacific Discovery has given him the skills knowledge to now go out and travel on his own.

Elisheva MironiApril 2025
From: Hawaii, Fiji & New Zealand Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery

The most amazing time, gained friends and experiences that he will cherish forever

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.

Alice BeginApril 2025
From: Hawaii, Fiji & New Zealand Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery

Step out of my comfort zone

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%

Lauren LeMenaApril 2025
From: Australia & Bali Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery

Some of the best times and memories of my life

Traveling Australia and Bali with an amazing group of people for 10 weeks were some of the best times and memories of my life. I learned so much about myself and the world, and I feel like I am leaving the program a more confident version of myself!

Megan NortonApril 2025
From: Australia & Bali Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery

Experience to grow and learn

Hands down the coolest way for students to travel and experience the world safely and in a group dynamic. Extremely happy our daughter had this experience to grown and learn and live!

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New Zealand & Fiji Summer Program | Pacific Discovery

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Nepal & India Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery

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This summer program for participants ages 17-22 offers four action-packed weeks: go from catching a volcano sunrise and snorkeling through crysta...

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Pacific Discovery Interviews

Read interviews from alumni or staff

Ellie Schiappa

Ellie Schiappa

Participated in 2016

Alumni

Ellie is from a small town in western Pennsylvania, Grove City. She is a sophomore at Slippery Rock University, where she is majoring in environmental...

It was my freshman year of college, at a university that was my last choice of eight, and I was super unhappy. I hadn’t made a lot of friends, my roommates weren’t the best, and I had no idea what I wanted to major in. I reached a breaking point at the end of the spring semester, and through tears I started looking up the process of transferring to a school in Colorado. I had my transfer application filled out and ready to turn in when I realized that leaving my university in Western Pennsylvania was only going to solve part of my problems. What I really needed was a break; a break from school, and a break from real life, and a chance to get out and explore. So, I began the long search for a travel opportunity, and I spent two weeks obsessing over what to do and where to go.

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Josh Moreton

Josh Moreton

Interviewed in 2015

Staff

Josh is an outdoor educator and guide from Nelson, New Zealand. He has worked extensively leading groups throughout New Zealand and Australia focusing...

I was working in Central Australia as a bushwalking guide, taking adult clients on 14-day expeditions through the remote West Macdonnell Ranges, on what is known as the Larapinta Trail. It was awesome work, but I was craving something that allowed me to work with younger people in the context of service work and adventurous travel. My mum actually put me onto Pacific Discovery, they were advertising for new leaders on a NZ website. I took one look at the job description and sent in an application immediately! A month later I was having coffee with Rachel and Scott at Pacific Discovery HQ in Nelson, NZ, and it has been all go since then.

Show Full Interview
Rebecca Thomas

Rebecca Thomas

Interviewed in 2014

Staff

Rebecca went from Pacific Discovery alumni to Program Leader! Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Literat...

I lead the semester, summer, and high school programs in Southeast Asia, specifically in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Show Full Interview
Pacific Discovery

Pacific Discovery

4.51Verified

Ready to Learn More?

Join us on an overland journey of discovery, and get immersed in a facilitated learning environment that is designed to maximize the educational and life-skills potential for our participants. Our programs blend meaningful and challenging experiential travel, cultural immersion, personal and leadership development, outdoors and wilderness exploration, service learning projects, a focus on sustainability and travel ethics, and transferable academic credit options. The programs have two goals for participants: 1. Learning about the people, culture, religion, history, environments and issues of the region the program travels through. Then relating these experiences to bigger picture concepts of globalization, human rights, environment, sustainability and ethics. 2. Providing a framew...

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

GoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2025 - Gap Year
2025 Finalist - Innovation in Diversity
GoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2024 - Gap Year Abroad
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Gap Year
People’s Choice Award 2023 Finalist
Innovation in Sustainability 2023 Finalist
Innovation in Sustainability 2023 Winner
Top Rated Gap Year Provider 2022
Innovative New Program – Volunteer Abroad Finalist 2022
Innovation in Marketing & Digital Media Finalist 2022
Top Rate Organization 2021 - Gap Year
Innovative Student Video 2021 Finalist
Innovative New Program – Volunteer Abroad 2021 Finalist
Year Out Group
American Gap Association

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