Pacific Discovery

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

10/10 would recommend, made memories that will stick with me for my entire life and made some amazing friends

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%

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!

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!

I have been on the Australia/New Zealand gap semester, had an amazing time here did so many cool tings, had amazing instructors and learned so much about a lot of things and it also changed my life in an positive way! I can really recommend it for people how really love to travel and learn and enjoy doing outdoor activity’s

This was a super great experience and allowed me to mature and find myself in a safe and immersive environment

The 70 days I spent pacific discovery in Aus/NZ were absolutely unforgettable. My instructors were absolutely incredible people. Both were so knowledgeable and so qualified to lead us. The program was the perfect mix of freedom and structure. It was a great mix of camping/hostels. I learned so much about myself and the world I live in. I gained more than I could have ever imagined. New Zealand is the most incredible place I have ever been and you will never want to leave. If you are at all considering this program, DO IT. There is so much joy on the other side of the fear holding you back

I was nervous about the decision to take a gap year. Pacific Discovery facilitated a life changing experience that not only made me a better person but connected me with life long friends. I’ll recommend this program to anyone who will listen.

I was nervous about the decision to take a gap year. Pacific Discovery facilitated a life changing experience that not only made me a better person but connected me with life long friends. I’ll recommend this program to anyone who will listen.

Pacific Discovery gave me one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The 10-week gap year program was a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and personal growth. The staff were very knowledgeable, and always there to encourage us. I left with lifelong friends and memories, plus a newfound appreciation for nature and different cultures. If you're looking for a meaningful, eye opening adventure, I can't recommend Pacific Discovery enough!

Pacific Discovery gave me one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The 10-week gap year program was a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and personal growth. The staff were very knowledgeable, and always there to encourage us. I left with lifelong friends and memories, plus a newfound appreciation for nature and different cultures. If you're looking for a meaningful, eye opening adventure, I can't recommend Pacific Discovery enough!

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.

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.

The Australia and New Zealand semester was the most amazing trip I’ve ever been on! From the beautiful beaches of AUS to the stunning southern alps of New Zealand, every single activity and view on this trip was amazing. There is nowhere I would rather have spent the last 70 days, and no group I would rather have been with!

The Australia and New Zealand semester was the most amazing trip I’ve ever been on! From the beautiful beaches of AUS to the stunning southern alps of New Zealand, every single activity and view on this trip was amazing. There is nowhere I would rather have spent the last 70 days, and no group I would rather have been with!

I was really nervous before coming on program about how i was going to make friends and what the people would be like and it was everything i’d hope for the people were amazing and my instructors made sure everything was perfect this trip truly changed me and i am so grateful i went no matter how scary it seemed at first

I was really nervous before coming on program about how i was going to make friends and what the people would be like and it was everything i’d hope for the people were amazing and my instructors made sure everything was perfect this trip truly changed me and i am so grateful i went no matter how scary it seemed at first

Pacific Discovery was recommended to us by parents of a PD alumni (Aus/NZ) and it made a huge difference to us in our review of alternative programs. The points highlighted by the parents that appealed to us centered around personal growth, world/cultural/travel experience, great planning, and excellent guides; our student's experience was terrific in all these aspects, and we so appreciate the guidance he received during the program to help contextualize all of the amazing and mundane experiences he had on the progam. The opportunities and emphasis on the 'discovery' aspect of the program particularly for his individual development, was, for us, the main reason for selecting PD, and we couldn't be more pleased with how that purpose was achieved.

Pacific Discovery was recommended to us by parents of a PD alumni (Aus/NZ) and it made a huge difference to us in our review of alternative programs. The points highlighted by the parents that appealed to us centered around personal growth, world/cultural/travel experience, great planning, and excellent guides; our student's experience was terrific in all these aspects, and we so appreciate the guidance he received during the program to help contextualize all of the amazing and mundane experiences he had on the progam. The opportunities and emphasis on the 'discovery' aspect of the program particularly for his individual development, was, for us, the main reason for selecting PD, and we couldn't be more pleased with how that purpose was achieved.

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.

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

This program implements so many elements of self discovery and growth. I did the Australia mini semester and I have learned so much in such a short amount of time. Not only about the culture and activities here in Australia but myself as well. I faced many positives, a few challenges, and I am equally grateful for both! As I wouldn’t be who I am now without the hardship. I have come out of this program with a better sense of self and for that I am very grateful!

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

This program implements so many elements of self discovery and growth. I did the Australia mini semester and I have learned so much in such a short amount of time. Not only about the culture and activities here in Australia but myself as well. I faced many positives, a few challenges, and I am equally grateful for both! As I wouldn’t be who I am now without the hardship. I have come out of this program with a better sense of self and for that I am very grateful!

I am so lucky that I chose Pacific Discovery, they created an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. They made it easy to make new friends and easy to try new things safely. I am so grateful I got to go on this once in a life time opportunity and adventure.

I am so lucky that I chose Pacific Discovery, they created an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. They made it easy to make new friends and easy to try new things safely. I am so grateful I got to go on this once in a life time opportunity and adventure.

We loved the communication between Pacific Discovery and parents. The portal offered detailed information and forms prior to the trip. During the trip, the weekly summaries gave us a window into the activities and the spontaneous discoveries the group was making in their towns, service sites, and local hosts.

We loved the communication between Pacific Discovery and parents. The portal offered detailed information and forms prior to the trip. During the trip, the weekly summaries gave us a window into the activities and the spontaneous discoveries the group was making in their towns, service sites, and local hosts.

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.

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 had an amazing time with amazing people on the Australia New Zealand Gap semester! It was an incredible program that showed us how to live and travel more sustainably, make the most of our time with every experience, and learn from others we meet along the way! I definitely recommend this program!!

I had an amazing time with amazing people on the Australia New Zealand Gap semester! It was an incredible program that showed us how to live and travel more sustainably, make the most of our time with every experience, and learn from others we meet along the way! I definitely recommend this program!!

The South America Gap Semester pushed me out of my comfort zone both mentally, physically, and socially. Pushing my body beyond what I thought it could do, opening up to - and being vulnerable with- a new group of people, and communicating in a different language in a place so vastly different than I’m used to, were all challenging and rewarding experiences. I feel like I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot about myself from stepping out of my comfort zone and opening myself up to new opportunities and possibilities.

The South America Gap Semester pushed me out of my comfort zone both mentally, physically, and socially. Pushing my body beyond what I thought it could do, opening up to - and being vulnerable with- a new group of people, and communicating in a different language in a place so vastly different than I’m used to, were all challenging and rewarding experiences. I feel like I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot about myself from stepping out of my comfort zone and opening myself up to new opportunities and possibilities.

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.

I don’t think many people will ever be able to explore Hawaii the way we did. We went to the most beautiful and magical places I have ever seen and lived so much in just four weeks. I can’t recommend this program enough. If you just want to travel around with a group of best friends and explore a new culture and do crazy activities, I promise you won’t regret signing up.

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!

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.

I was able to learn more about my strengths and abilities; I was a very anxious person before this trip, extremely afraid of moving outside of my comfort zone- but now i am a lot more comfortable with being uncomfortable, and became a lot more insightful. this program is definitely difficult and exhausting at times, but it’s something I would recommend to everyone because it teaches you so much about how to do things for yourself, connect with new people, and inspires you to do so much more in the future. I would tell myself that it’s ok to be nervous, but go into the program with a can and will do attitude, don’t have any expectations because you truly never know what will happen, and you will be unbelievably happy with crazy memories, more insight, and a lot more of a positive attitude about yourself and your capabilities by the end of the trip. I would say this trip was an experience unlike any other. there are insane ups, downs, emotions, and lessons throughout the journey that prepares you for anything and everything. i have never been happier, prouder of myself, dirtier, more scared, exhausted, or more determined in my entire life; the most incredible thing I’ve ever done for myself and my well-being.

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!

This was undoubtedly one of the best experiences I’ve had while going abroad. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who is interested in seeing places that haven’t gone before and remaining busy during each day. Just be prepared for many outdoor activities!

I came into this program with different circumstances than most people. I didn’t necessarily feel like I needed a gap year, but my top choice college offered me admission for the class of 2028, meaning I would have to take a year off. I liked this program when I looked at it and I signed up, but I didn’t really come with any major or specific plans or goals in mind. I ended up growing not just in areas I knew I was going to be challenged in, but in so much more that I didn’t even know about myself. I am leaving this program as someone who is much more thoughtful about myself and my action, and I am more motivated than ever to focus on being the best I can in things that I am interested in, even if that means facing you do challenges along the way. These 10 weeks truly were s life changing experience and I am extremely grateful I was pushed into taking the year off and am very glad I signed up for pacific discovery. Thank you!

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.

This program was awesome! It was a once in a lifetime experience that i will never forget where I got to travel to awesome new places and make life long friends! and the leaders were awesome! I’m so glad I got to experience something so incredible and eye opening like this.

It’s a lot of fun and you get to visit places in the world where everyday tourists never go. We had so much fun and grew so much. Please make friends with everyone and have a fun time. Our group was a fantastic group and almost never fought with each other. We had so much fun together; that’s the power of friendship.

I loved every moment of this trip. From the activities, to the people and the places we saw. It’s such a packed 6 weeks but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. So many new things to experience and learn, I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough. If you want to really visit a new country and meet amazing people, this program is definitely for you.

This trip was like no other. I did things I never dreamed of doing and loved every second. I accomplished things I didn’t think were possible and grew so incredibly independent, confident, and free spirited.

My experience was wildly beautiful in all of the places we spent time in - from bathing elephants in the hills of Chiang Mai, trekking in the Laos wilderness, exploring the gorgeous beaches and caves of Vietnam to biking in the Cambodian countryside. It allowed me to grow through the discomfort of traveling, doing activities that I haven’t ever thought to do - such as hiking and rock climbing, and spending time in beautiful villages and guesthouses. Throughout its ups and downs, I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.

I am so grateful to have experienced such a unique trip with an incredible group of people. Southeast Asia is one of the most incredible places from the culture, to the food, to the views! I feel as though I’ve grown so much as a person and am prepared to travel on my own all over the world. I feel that my sense of independence has grown, I’m much more confident in myself, responsible and knowledgeable about the world. This program travels a lot! which is amazing because you do so much from taking care of elephants, to visiting some of the worlds most incredible beaches, temples, and waterfalls, to a 4-day long trek, seeing incredible animals, and so much more. If I had to tell my pre-program self something it would be to soak up every moment because it is such a privilege to travel around Southeast Asia for 70 days and there is so much to take in. The program is over before you know it so go in excited, confident, and believe that you can do anything you set your mind to.

I gained a lot of good travel skills, such as flying on a plane by myself, cohabitation with others, conflict management, etc. I would recommend this program because you get two countries out of it and you get to explore cultures that school didn’t really teach you about!

Being on a PD program is a cool experience, because this environment teaches you a lot about how to deal with future struggles. For example: how to deal with people, who are really different than you are. I would recommend this program, because it offers more than just gap year/ travel experience. It taught me a lot about my own personality, abilities and my growth. I think this program challenges you to step out of your comfort zone, and led me to being more confident. This is an opportunity to learn about nature, culture, yourself, new physical activities, hoe to approve certain situations and personality trades.

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!

My experience was truly once in a lifetime. I was able to meet amazing people and see amazing things as well as learn so much more about a new culture. I would recommend this program to others because you will learn so much about yourself and about a new beautiful place.

I definitely think I grew as a person on this trip. This program has made me a tougher person both physically and mentally. There were a lot of physical challenges for me on this trip which forced me to toughen up mentally and keep pushing. I think this program has also given me a greater appreciation for the environment and simpler ways of living. Overall, I feel more grateful and grounded coming out of this trip.

I loved the activities in this program! From hiking 10 miles to kayaking to swimming in many bodies of water to rafting through class 4 rapids, this trip has brought out a new self for me. I’ve discovered who I am in hard core activities with amazing people. I am beyond proud of myself for getting through all of the challenges!

Going on the New Zealand and Australia gap semester program with Pacific Discovery was one of the best decisions of my life. I learned so much about myself, the world around me, and made lifelong friends.

The experience I had was amazing! I feel like I have more confidence in my decisions and thoughts as a person. I feel better prepared to go to college as I feel I can better handle any stressors that it might give me. I would recommend this program, you get to see the world through experiences you otherwise might not be able to see in your lifetime.

I learned so much about myself and the world around me that I can now use in my future. It’s very well organized but still a small enough program that you feel part of a family. Do everything and anything to make the most of every moment and don’t let anyone slow you down. I learned so much about myself and my ability to connect with others. I learned to connect my values with my actions. And I had an amazing time seeing new countries and making friends.

Became more comfortable with being uncomfortable. A good opportunity to have reflection time and work on finding yourself. Lean into the negative things more and use your positivity to help others when they need it. A perfect way to distance myself from my normal home life. Great opportunity to explore myself and my values. Loads of time to reflect.

This is an amazing opportunity for anyone who wants to explore the world and enjoy there time doing it. Everyday is amazing and different, the people and places are wonderful and you will love every second of it. The living situations can feel difficult at times but it is worth it for all of the life long experiences.

I was exposed to so many different lifestyles and cultures, I was completely enchanted. Living together with smaller communities and learning their way of life was an incredible learning experience while also making real and strong connections with both the people and my new friends.

Pacific Discovery was absolute amazing! I felt completely taken care of and safe throughout the whole trip. Our leaders where so much fun but very organized. The trip was packed full of incredible experiences that pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible. I would have done more preparation for the homestay, just because some of us didn’t know how to interact and connect so well with the families. Other than that I wouldn’t have changed a thing. It might also be helpful to advertise the trip as lots of hiking and hard work along with the fun things. That was what I was expecting from the trip however some of my group where not prepared for the hiking and work and struggled with a positive attitude. Our group had lots of drinking incidents and I wouldn’t be more thankful for Pacific Discovery allowing us to stay on program because it really did mean a lot to me to stay. But I would be sure to not tell the kids any past stories of drinking incidents. I think I big problem with our group was when we heard about other groups getting away with drinking and staying on program we took that as “we have at least 1 or 2 chances”. Which is why I think it was such a problem for us. But I truly thing that Pacific Discovery is one of the best gap year programs and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. You guys did an amazing job with this program. Thank you so much.

I absolutely loved my pacific discovery mini semester in Costa Rica. I felt my instructors were fully prepared and helped us all feel engaged in learning about new communities and new locations while on this trip. I felt supported by my instructors and that they were there to help us discover new versions of ourselves as we challenged our mindsets and shared our experiences.

2 years ago I did a the Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica trip with pacific discovery and it was amazing. The organisation itself is really good and made the group feel like a family. All the activities were not only absolutely fantastic but also inspiring.

I met a lot of wonderful people on our trip to Ecuador and Peru. We had many unique experiences from the Inca Trail to Lake Titicaca to the Galapagos and the Amazon. Some days were physically challenging physically, many were fun and full of adventure. I definitely recommend going on a gap semester and taking a break from school and traveling the world with the most kind and amazing people I met. I met my best friends through this program. It was wonderful.

I was nervous for the program but after orientation I was acclimated to my peers, instructors, daily routine and being in an exciting new country. This trip inspired so much confidence in me by pushing me out of my comfort zone while being surrounded by such supportive people who ended up being some of my best friends. Our trip went very smoothly and we were lucky enough to have guides, teachers and hosts who were knowledgable, adaptable, funny and happy to talk to us. I feel like the program was so extensive in the types of places we saw and the different cultural activities and projects we were exposed to. Highly recommend for a gap year trip and anyone interested in improving their Spanish while looking to make some great friends! 10/10

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.

I think I did grow from this program and met a new version of myself. I feel I gained confidence and independence. I would tell my pre-program self to come into this with a strong mindset and trust the process.

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!

“If you could sum up your experience in 3 sentences, what would you write?” I am more prepared to take on challenges in my life. I will always remember my time in Thailand and how much I have grown because of it. I am grateful for Pacific Discovery’s program for giving me the opportunity to learn through experience.

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 both mentally and physically by being out in different situations that were outside of my comfort zone! I would recommend PD to people because there is a lot of learning we do throughout program and a lot of new experiences as well. Take chances even with knowing the unknown! I would say that my overall experience was amazing especially with all of the different wildlife encounters that came with it!

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.

An amazing journey that fully immerses you into the culture and off the grid for an epic experience of adventure, friends, and learning both about the world and yourself. You get afforded the time to just live and be a human. Freedom to explore the world and yourself in a supportive, loving group. It will change your life.

I became more invested in nature and being outdoors. This trip has inspired me to become more aware of how I affect the planet and how I can help change my own life. This trip also helped me overcome my fears and had me try new things I ended up loving.

I gained leadership skills in difficult times dealing with people who do not agree with another. The food is out of this world! Know that you went on this trip for a good reason and absolutely go for it!

I'd recommend this program to others because it gives you once in a lifetime opportunities to immerse yourself in extraordinary culture. You learn how to travel responsibly and you create great friendships and learn how to have healthy communication.

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.

This was a very transformative experience. Getting to connect with people from different places in life really made the trip. Overall has an amazing time and would recommend to anyone who’s looking to come out of this new!

I have become more patient with my decisions and learned to think them through. Also to live in the moment and take everything life has to offer as I experience it. Lastly, I have become more confident in independent travel after visiting and exploring the places we’ve been to.

I absolutely adored my time on the Australia / Bali semester with Pacific Discovery. It was a perfect mix of adventure, cultural immersion, service and personal development mixed in with a bit of city time. I have never grown so much as an individual as I did on this trip. I am more confident in myself and my relationships, more independent and ultimately have a better perspective on life and the world. If you’re thinking about doing a PD trip, take the risk and go for it! You won’t regret it.

This was an incredible trip and I highly recommend it to any prospective students. I made such amazing friends, saw so many amazing places, and did so many cool activities. It was the experience of a lifetime and I would do it 1000 times over.

My experience was amazing. I really enjoyed not only meeting, but making friends with locals. The service work and learning was really rewarding. I would recommend this program to others because you truly learn how to be a traveler and not just a tourist.

I loved my experience with Pacific Discovery! I learned so much about myself and my values while being pushed out of my comfort zone on program. I gained a curiosity about cultures around the world that I will foster with me in my future travels! If I was to give my pre program self advice, I would say don’t worry! Nothing is as scary as you think it will be.

This trip will help you learn about other cultures while also looking inward to learn about yourself, AND you’ll be doing this in incredible and beautiful places. This is an amazing opportunity if you’re up for adventure.

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.

If I had to sum up my experience into two phrases, it would be going places with a purpose and giving more than you are taking. I have never been so out of my comfort zone while still having an amazing group of supportive women around me that are encouraging and empathetic. From tying the spinal cord of a pig to suiting up in bee suits, I loved letting my adventurous side shine through since I was feeling stuck in boring work/school routine at home. I don’t believe this is simply a once in a lifetime experience because the knowledge I have gained about the culture and language will last a lifetime as I continue to travel around Hawaii. As I go back home, I realize that I’m entering life as a completely new person, and I can only thank PD for giving me this opportunity that I will look back at with gratitude and love.

I feel like I have become more independent. I would recommend it to others because it was a once in a lifetime experience. I felt like I came into the program with an open mind which I think was the best decision for me.

I feel like this trip has been a monumental moment in my young life. It has taught me how to be a leader and how to work with others in unfamiliar and difficult situations. I would recommend the program to anyone who wants to challenge themselves while also having a super rad time in Costa Rica. You can overcome adversity and lift up others as you do it.

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!

I grew into a much more confident, adventurous person. I became extremely close with everyone in my group, which helped me become comfortable with myself and be more confident. I went to all of our daily activities, some of which pushed me out of my comfort zone. Showing up each day and trying new things allowed me to discover what my passions and interests are. This program is truly everything I could have asked for and more! I would recommend it to anyone thinking about spending a semester overseas. The instructors are amazing and the program itself is so diverse! We do something new every single day— eating new food, visiting a new temple or starting a new service project. The cultural immersion this program brings is truly incredible and I will never forget the special memories I’ve created in the past ten weeks. I would reassure my pre-program self that I will make once-in-a-lifetime bonds with every single member of my group in the 10 weeks. I’d tell her that she’s going to enjoy every minute of it, even the parts she was nervous about. I’d tell her that she won’t feel homesick and instead will soak in every minute of the program. To sum up my experience in three sentences: This program brought me into the happiest time of my life. I’m extremely grateful for the special moments I’ve made with the members of my group as we’ve traveled to four different countries, immersing ourselves into different cultures and trying new things every day. This trip and the people I’ve experienced it with will always hold a special place in my heart.

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!

My time in New Zealand and Australia with Pacific Discovery has forever changed my perspective on life. I pushed myself to try a myriad of activities such as skydiving, rafting, canyoning, etc. which helped me expand my comfort zone. I learned how to fully appreciate nature and all it has to offer as well as the local cultures from different parts of the world. Lastly, I realized that just because you are put with a group of strangers you just met, it doesn’t mean there has to be conflict or drama; our group bonded very quickly and I made what I believe are going to be lifelong friends that I am very grateful for and this experience would not have been the same without them.

This program taught me so much about the importance of being open minded and curious about the world. It encouraged me to try new things and expand my comfort zone. I definitely feel like I came out of it more mature and empowered.

I loved my Pacific Discovery experience. Getting the opportunity to travel a new place with experienced instructors and a whole group of new best friends was one of the best things to ever happen to me. This was life changing and I will never forget it.

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.

I feel more prepared to take on the rest of my life. I have gained an immense amount of confidence in my ability to take care of myself and travel abroad. I would absolutely recommend this program to others. Southeast Asia is incredible and traveling with a group like this with structure and set plans but also free time to explore what you like is so great for young adults. I think I was pretty confident going into the program but I would want to tell myself to slow down and really enjoy every moment of it. In essence this program was traveling to beautiful places, having surreal experiences, and making lifelong friendships.

My experience in Southeast Asia with Pacific Discovery was definitely the trip of a lifetime. I got to explore parts of the world I did not know much about before and immerse myself in different cultures. Prior to the program start, I was very anxious about whether I would relate and connect well with my peers, but I ended up creating amazing memories and learning from everyone. Traveling is just as challenging as it is fun, but patience with yourself and openness toward new people and places is key! There are so many amazing things to embrace during and after the trip!

This program has truly changed me for the better. It helped me find a group of people, who all come from incredibly different backgrounds, that share many of the same interests. I fell in love with so many different places, foods and cultures. I was inspired to become a more environmentally conscious, self-less and low-maintenance person. This trip alone feels like a whole chapter in my life because of how much I grew and experienced in these last 10 weeks.

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!

This program has been a fantastic experience for me. This trip gave me the opportunity to focus on my mental health and how I choose to live my life. This trip made me realize how negative self talk can affect my mood as well as my self image. I was able to understand on this trip that whether things are going well or if things are going badly for me it’s up to me to be positive about it.

The South America semester program is one I will never forget, we did a lot of incredible things. From service work in the mountains with lama’s to swimming on the Galápagos Islands. I met amazing people who are gonna stay in my heart forever.

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.

Through my time in Hawaii I deeply grew my relationship with nature, and through that re-defined my relationship with myself. If you are a young person who wishes to explore and learn I would highly recommend this wonderful experience.

Do it. Even if you don’t know where you need to grow, you’re gonna grow one way or another. And so much. This trip is an overstimulation of your insanely beautiful surroundings, complex relationships, and time with self. You’re gonna have more time with yourself than you ever have. And it’s gonna be for the best.

I met 11 of my new best friends on this trip. This trip gave me the opportunity to go to places I never imagined I would go to. After this trip I am more self sufficient and confident in my abilities to travel alone!

We watched our outgoing, ambitious daughter fade to a mere shadow of herself during the pandemic. She spend her 16th year in her bedroom, staring at a screen. She lost a lust for learning which turned into a dread of going off to college right away. We began to look into other options. She wanted to go far away and, despite our anxieties, we wanted her to have the experience that would breathe purpose and life back into her. We could not be happier with her experience in Southeast Asia. She is thriving, and we have grown comfortable with the distance, knowing Pacific Discovery has done a great job with the preparation, planning, and communicating. We look forward to her return, but are also eager to see where she goes and what she does next.

My experience with Pacific Discovery on the South America program can be best summarized with two words: Adaptability and Adventure. This experience has provided me with many opportunities for personal growth but I think one of the most important has been my response to a constantly changing environment. Transitioning from the Galapagos to a rural Ecuadorian village and experiencing Cusco after being in a high Andean community are a few of the examples I can think of. These transitions are not only the physical environment but also the culture; food, customs, and language can be ever-changing on program. I feel like I have become much more comfortable being nomadic and taking advantage of my experience while I can, understanding that the next day could be worlds different. Some days can be challenging, at times I’ve been physically exhausted and struggling with my sensitive stomach. However, I’ve learned to deal with these challenges as they come instead of worrying about the future like I used to. The adventure that has been at my fingertips has much outweighed any challenges I’ve experienced. I’ve loved exploring the different ecosystems, some of my favorite being the biodiversity of the galapagos and the microclimates in the amazon. One of my favorite adventures was visiting the Seven Lagoons of Ausangate in Peru. It was such a magical experience, with unreal views and hot springs to end the five hour hike. I’m going to miss having days packed with activity and adventure when I’m back at home and I’m so grateful for all of the people who have made this experience amazing. I would recommend Pacific Discovery to anyone interested in travel and experiential education for their gap year.

Back in the summer of 2022 I knew I wanted to travel, but I didn’t want to go alone. I found pacific discovery through a gap year agency, and I have been blown away by the experience. I had never been out of the USA before, and this definitely was the way to experience international travel. In Peru we went to amazing towns, and learned so much about the culture. My Spanish was very weak at the start of the trip, but now I can communicate much better. This trip was the perfect mix of hiking, adventure, cultural immersion, and having fun with friends. The Galápagos Islands were one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. The hike to north he top of a volcano was amazing. Ecuador’s wildlife was amazing. There were all sorts of animals running around wherever we went. I met an amazing friend along the way who I hope to travel more with during Q1 of 2023. I am so fortunate to be able to have this opportunity at such a young age.

At first I was hesitant to leave collage even if it was just for a semester as I was slightly over a month away from my junior year. However, things took a bad turn in my personal life with several different things. I knew my campus was not a good environment for me at this point in time and I did not feel safe there anymore. Luckily my mother was kind enough to advise me to a gap year program and the when it came to choose between two I went with pacific discovery. And I definitely made the right decision. The people who came along with me were in relatable situations as I was even though I was the oldest in the group I was still able to make friends with them and as for one of them I can say I have set up a lifelong friendship with! PD South America program has offered me an unforgettable experience and has opened my mind up to so many new paths to take with my life and my future and I will be eternally grateful for them and the wonderful groups of people and instructors I was placed with!

I loved every minute of this program. From the volunteering, to spending time with everyone else, and getting to know the communities we were staying with!! In addition, we got to see some super cool places and have once in a lifetime experiences! I wouldn’t trade my time with pd for the world.

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!

I was able to meet friends from all over the U.S. and a few from the Netherlands. We all shared love for trying new things and got to help each other to get out of our comfort zones a little. It wasn't always easy, everyone comes from different backgrounds and experiences and things didn't always go as you expected. We all grew so much during those 3months and our instructors Tari and Jack were inspiring. This experience made me start to work my way into the outdoor education field after seeing the impact it had on me. Now im starting to work with kids and taking them on hikes and getting to share fun stories of the things i experienced with Pacific Discovery and how it's made me even more curious and determined to find my next travel opportunity.

If I told myself 2-3 years ago I’d drop everything and move to Hawaii for 6 weeks I’d think I was lying but i’m so happy to be able to say I did it and with Pacific Discovery. Being able to immerse myself in the culture of Hawaii and learn so much about it made me realize how great of a love I have for the island and the communities. It was so rewarding being able to do so much volunteer work and give back while also getting educated on so many things. That month and a half of my life is something I wish I could relive over and over again, it truly was life changing and an experience I will never forget.

I had the best time ever. The instructors were amazing. We all learnt so much from them all which was fabulous. Not a bad word. I learnt so much about myself on this trip. The people in Ecuador are so lovely and really encouraged us to practice our Spanish. The volunteering left me with a whole new outlook and respect for wildlife. The Galápagos Islands are incredible. A places you don’t think can be real. Felt like you’re dreaming. I also made the best friends ever. We still keep in touch and we are planning to visit each other. You meet like minded people, which is great and there all over the world. I couldn’t recommend Pacific Discovery more. They take care of you from the second you are interested in signing up to the second you leave the program and after that too. I still chat to my instructors. I loved it so much that I have actually signed up for their Costa Rica fall program too. It’s expensive but I don’t regret spending that money at all. You get your moneys worth and more. If you’re thinking of signing up do it. You won’t regret it.

PD was the best decision I could have made in my gap summer. Every day was filled with a new experience and cultural immersion was at the utmost importance. The guides were SUPERB (Ashley/Henry/Art certainly deserve the biggest of props for all of their hard work) and I would choose it again in a heart beat.

I was very nervous before attending the program. However, everyone I met in the program was very nice and friendly. We did so many things together and gained lifelong friendships and experiences. Camping is one of my favorite parts. I love being out in nature every day and hiking with friends. If you're still debating it, just do it.

Overall the trip was fantastic. everyone in our group got along very well, and our instructors helped us throughout every step of the way. we all felt like family very early on. the places we stayed at were all unique in their own sense with fun activity to keep us immersed and busy. there was a good balance between volunteer work and time to be able to relax and focus on yourself. i only have a couple critiques - the meditation retreat we all went to was hard for us to focus at and stay present. there wasn’t a lot of activity so it was a lot of pondering throughout the day. the meditations lasted around 20-30 minutes each which was difficult, and 3-4 times a day. for a young adult with a lot of energy, that section of the trip was more difficult. besides the meditation, there wasn’t much to do throughout the day. also, throughout the trip i heard and noticed the girls being uncomfortable around some of the guides we had during our variously planned activities. they were being pervy - weird comments and could be too hands on at times. this caused some girls to become uncomfortable during some activities and have to skip out on others. besides that, the trip was an experience I’ll hold close to my heart forever and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to see the world and meet like-minded individuals.

This trip truly changed my life. Before Hawaii I didn’t like to travel, I was happy at home so getting out and doing this trip was very out of my comfort zone. This trip changed all that, I am now comfortable traveling both solo and in groups. I learned a lot about both Hawaii and myself. I wouldn’t change the trip for the world.

I would recommend this program because it helps you step out of your comfort zone. Keep being yourself, you will meet people who will care about you and listen. My experience was amazing, I had incredible one in a life time experiences and most importantly I met life long friends.

This program made me grow a lot mentally and was a journey of self discovery as well as an outer journey of learning about new interesting cultures and ways of life. I would definitely recommend if you want to make friends and gain an eye opening view of the world.

I feel like I have learned so much about myself and life. I have become more confident and open. I would highly recommend this program to others, I have grown so much in just 10 weeks and made lifelong friends. You get so many once in a lifetime experience and there is a good balance between activities and service work. I would tell my pre program self that you are going to become best friends with these people after spending so much time together so just be yourself and get to know everyone. You will have challenges on this program but will grow so much by overcoming them with the help of your group.

This program has fully surpassed my expectations! Even though I signed up only 2 weeks before the program began, I was thoroughly informed of everything I needed to do. My favorite activity during this program was the llama pack project at the beginning. I was physically challenged in such an incredible way and also learned so much about the culture of the concha concha. I have so many good memories from the time we spend in the Andes.

This experience of learning from locals and getting to know the group of unique people from all over is honestly like none other and it has changed me for life in such a positive way. I would recommend it to anyone but especially someone who wants an experience to help them find their way and their place in the world. I think it was probably the best thing I have ever done and I wouldnt change a thing about it.

Since I’ve already done a Pacific Discovery program I had really high expectations going back into this, and it absolutely didn’t disappoint. This was one of the best experiences of my life and I feel like everything truly was amazing and incredible! Pacific Discovery really has changed my life. I was so excited to get to do another program this semester, and it really was another incredible amazing experience. There is so much I could say, but I think I’ll leave it at saying that there is no other program I would’ve rather done. I truly will cherish this experience for the rest of my life and the growth I’ve felt within myself has been surreal.

This entire experience was the best experience I’ve ever had in my entire life. I have never felt so happy and fulfilled before. I have never made the deep connections I did with my fellow peers with anyone before and don’t know if I ever will. I have never felt so much support and felt so comfortable in a group before. I learned so much about myself and the world around me as well as the culture and environment. Every activity we did gave me a new perspective and taught me something extremely valuable. This program helped me build confidence in myself and taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to. It made me step out of my bubble and truly live. I will be forever grateful for this experience and still can’t believe it was real. It was literally a dream come true. Mahalo.

The person that started this program and the person who has left are 2 very different minded people. I have come to learn much about myself and what I like by spending time reflecting and challenging both my mental and physical states. This trip provided the space and time away to focus on this part of myself and I am forever grateful for this experience.

Great program, great experience, great explanation of the program! I would recommend this as a way to explore as a traveller and not a tourist but still hit all the important things a culture has to offer.

Pacific Discovery was a perfect addition to my gap year. Every day of our trip was better than the previous, and our group felt like family by even the 2nd week. I’m so glad I chose to come on programs and would choose it again after completing. It beyond exceeded all expectations!!!

Participating in the Pacific Discovery gap semester programs has been the best experience of my life. Apart from seeing parts of the world I never thought I’d get to see, I have learned so much about myself, and grown to be a stronger, more open-minded person. Throughout the program, I was challenged mentally and physically; although it can be an uncomfortable experience, I have noticed so much growth within myself. I learned how to push myself to do hard things, how to communicate effectively with others, and how to be aware of my place in the world. I honestly believe that Pacific Discovery has changed my life.

I don't believe that my expectation of the program was sufficient with how amazing it really was! I am super grateful that I had the instructors that I did, they did an incredible job and are overall wonderful human beings. They have been such great role models for my own life. I really enjoyed going on an independent hike with one of my instructors and a few of my friends. I also loved doing the service work!! One final moment that stands out to me is the lessons we had with Jordan at Big Island Farm, she was such an inspirational teacher and I really liked how she taught us about food forests etc. She made me understand how important these issues really are.

I learned how to improve myself within a group setting and in one on one interactions. You’ll learn important skills like conflict resolution, city navigation, how to overcome language barriers, and so much more. The people on my program became such an important part of my life and I know I now have 12 new lifelong friends.

This semester gave me a new confidence and direction I would like to take in my life. I experienced and learned a lot on this trip, not only from the program core sessions, but mostly from meeting the locals and getting to know what they have done in their lives. I became very aware of myself and my actions and how they affect the world around me.

This experience has been exciting, challenging, and eye-opening. Traveling to Thailand has enabled me to step outside of my comfort zone and better myself regarding self-awareness and relationships. I return home a more traveled and motivated person.

I feel like I was able to find myself in a way I couldn’t have been capable of doing so back home. I feel like this program helped me especially at my age to mature and grow as the person I wish to become. If I would’ve been able to talk to me 10 weeks ago I would tell him to enjoy the people, because the experience is something I would’ve done either way but it is important to enjoy the people you are with. This program changed me in a way I like and in a way I hope will last. I’ve been able to grow and understand and see things that were blind to me before. I hope I can continue to be who I’m proposing to be and find self-enjoyment in life as I have on this trip.

Pacific Discovery is so amazing!!! My experience made me into a much more whole person and I changed in ways I couldn’t have predicted. I gained confidence in myself and my beliefs and learned about various things that I’m interested in, such as coral and forest restoration. I would absolutely recommend this program to others. I wish everyone could experience what I’ve experienced. I found lifelong friends and mentors and the memories will stay with me forever!

Through this experience, I met some incredible people that will be my lifelong friends, and for that, I am so grateful. I feel I gained a better sense of self and what I want for my future during our travels, and I’m excited to see what skills I take with me and apply to my everyday life!

I had an amazing experience. I was able to take time to fully explore what I love and work towards self-growth. I feel that I learned how to self-motivate and challenge myself in uncomfortable situations. I improved life skills such as, cooking, self-care, and socializing. My post-program self would tell my pre-program self to look at the journey with excitement and to use fear as motivation to grow.

Yes I had an incredible experience! The amount that I grew as an individual is astounding. I learned how to be independent and especially shop for meals while keeping price and budget in mind. I would recommend this program to others because of how much I learned about myself. Through the many spiritual experiences that we shared as a group on this program, I was able to straighten out my values and figure out what aspects of life are actually important to me. If I could say something to my pre-program self, I would say to not get caught up on little things that bother you, but rather embrace the larger experiences as a whole. This trip was the time of my life.

I had the trip of a lifetime! I made friends forever and had experiences that I will take with me wherever I go in life. I feel that I really grew as a person who can step out of my comfort zone without second-guessing it and am so much more confident. Being able to have such an incredible experience during a pandemic was inspiring and I am beyond grateful for PD and my 70 days in Hawaii. I would 100% recommend the program to anyone wanting to have a life-changing experience and who wants to make lifelong friends in an incredible setting. Thank you PD

Pacific Discovery was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. There were so many incredible adventures and I got to push myself out of my comfort zone. Exploring a place in the world for a long period of time truly makes a difference when it comes to traveling because you really get to know the land and try so many things. I am so grateful for Pacific discovery and the people I met along the way.

This program was an incredible chance for me to get out of my comfort zones and grow as a person. I became more confident in myself, found my role in a group dynamic and also became more of an outdoorsy person :) I would recommend this program to others because it lets you see places from completely new perspectives with more of a community feel. I would say overall this program has changed me and is a really important part of my story now:)

At the beginning of this program my goal was to grow and change and PD definitely fostered that goal. I know more about myself, what I like, and how I want to spend my future than I did before. Not only that but I gained vital leadership skills and problem-solving skills. I would recommend this program because it gives you enough responsibility to grow while also giving enough structure to learn. I found this program to be perfect for what I was looking for and was able to make lifelong friends. I would tell my pre-program self about how I feel more knowledgeable in a way school could never teach. To summarize, PD was a crazy adventure that brought me friends, experiences, and lessons. It was a work hard, play hard experience that opened my eyes to the world around me.

I grew as a person, accomplished things I never thought I could and tried new things such as hiking and yoga and ended up loving both. Especially camping, I was out of my comfort zone but it made me grow. I would recommend this program to others to become more aware of what goes on around other parts of the world and learn about places you travel to. I gained confidence from start to finish on this program and I’m proud of how far I’ve came and the other students even the instructors. From early mornings having breakfast, getting ready for what the day holds whether it was the beach, a hike, a work shop or agricultural work, to cooking together and playing games getting ready for bed. I couldn’t be more happier to know I’ve spent the days with the students did. Learning and growing with them physically, mentally and spiritually.

I feel like I am a completely different person than when I started this program. I had no idea how much self discovery and how much I would grow on this trip. I have discovered how I want to live my life and who I want to be. I’ve found so many passions that I never knew I had. I know now what’s important to me and I will hold on to that forever. This trip is filled with self-growth and adventure.

I think this program helped me to grow and get out of my comfort zone in many different areas. I learned so many new skills and knowledge that I never would have learned in a traditional classroom setting. Going on the program was one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself, and it’s an experience that I will remember forever.

My program in Hawaii was one of the most fulfilling and incredible things I have ever gotten to do. I got to meet some of the most genuine, incredible people I have ever met, discover my potential, leave my comfort zone behind, embark on some crazy adventures, experience the true simplicity of human connection, laugh until my stomach hurt, push myself in ways I never thought possible, and explore all of the incredible land that Hawaii has to offer- from mountains, to the ocean, and everything in between. I am so thankful for everything I am taking away from my semester with Pacific Discovery. It was a wild and wonderful journey, and everything about it was absolutely beautiful.

I would recommend the program to others to challenge yourself, make new friends, do amazing activities, meet new people, and to immerse yourself in a new culture! You really get to learn about yourself and who you are as a human on this program! I would tell myself that I can do anything so I got this and I should just enjoy myself! My trip to Costa Rica was truly life-changing. I made deep connections, did amazing activities, and I really gained clarity as to what I want out of life. I came out of this experience with more confidence and a greater appreciation for life!

This trip exposed me to so many new people from different places. I really value getting to meet all of them while also getting to experience an amazing new country. I loved honing my Spanish skills and getting to be adventurous and so crazy stuff.

I wouldn’t have traded this life experience of mine for anything. I met 13 other people that I can now call family. I am eternally grateful for all the conversations I’ve had, the ups of the trip, and even the downs because it makes the trip more real and not on the surface

This program is great if you’re looking to get out of your comfort zone and make new friends and challenge yourself. I feel like I have grown a lot as a person throughout this trip. I definitely have become more independent and I feel a lot more confident that I can rely on myself to get me through hard times and I feel a lot more prepared for college. My leadership skills definitely grew a lot during this trip and I also feel just mentally stronger overall than when I started this trip. I am a lot more confident in myself as a person and I am proud of my values. I feel a lot stronger and I’m so glad that I did this trip.

Over the course of my 6 week trip to Costa Rica I learned so much about respecting other people’s cultures and being a global citizen. This trip changed the way I look at important issues at home and in my own life such as consumership and sustainability. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is looking to enrich their knowledge and experience traveling in a foreign country. It’s a trip I will always appreciate and never forget!

I cannot say enough nice things about my semester with Pacific Discovery. I overcame challenges of all varieties this semester -- physical, mental, emotional. I am a better version of myself now. I have also learned so much about myself and who I am. I would recommend this program to anyone needing a break from school, a change in perspective, or an eye-opening experience. Pacific Discovery is an exceptional program that will provide you with the skills, experiences, and opportunities to challenge yourself, grow as a person, and open up your world. I can say with confidence that I feel ready and excited to travel independently. Taking a gap year has been the best decision of my life thus far. I only wish I could do it over and over again.

I was really able to get back to my best self. I lost some of that during the last year of online school and lots of other challenges, but I was able to see myself and what I want from a different perspective which allowed me to get back on my path of life. This trip was exactly what I needed to get out of my funk. Thank you, Amelia, Justin, and PD.

I had an incredible experience with Pacific Discovery! I became more confident in myself as a person and my abilities to make friends, meet new people from around the world, travel, cook, be active, and live life how I want to. After the trip, I came home fully ready to go to college. I knew that I could face any challenge that came my way. There will, as expected, be ups and downs throughout the whole trip, but that is how we grow - being outside our comfort zone. Traveling with Pacific Discovery is a truly unique opportunity to explore the world, form close relationships, experience something new every day, and build your confidence.

Choosing to go to Hawaii with Pacific Discovery was one of the best decisions I could have made. After over a year of navigating COVID at college, I knew that I wanted to travel while learning something new and also being COVID cautious. There was never a moment on the trip where I felt unsafe in regards to COVID and I am so appreciative that Pacific Discovery found ways to make sure we could travel safely and connect us with local partners. One of my favorite things about Pacific Discovery is how much they emphasize the importance of education. All of the partners we worked with were amazing and eager to teach us about themselves and what they do in Hawaii. Not only do your instructors encourage you to learn about where you are, but they also encourage you to learn about yourself. While in Hawaii, I was able to think a lot about what I want to do after college. In fact, if you looked in the notes app on my phone right now, there would be a list I wrote while in Hawaii that incorporates what I learned and loved on the program and what I am studying in college. This has been something I have always been curious about one day figuring out, but having these first hand experiences with my peers encouraged me to put my thoughts into action. There is something about having these experiences with such an intimate group that is so impactful. I would highly recommend anyone to participate in a Pacific Discovery trip, you won’t regret it.

This may sound cheesy, but it truly was a life-changing experience. I changed so much on this program, and all for the better. I’ve become more active, more confident, more social, and more grateful. I am going back home knowing I am a better person than when I came. I have so many stories of experiences on the outside as well as experiences on the inside. It’s worth it, trust me.

I grew a lot as a person on this program; I learned how to become a better global citizen & I learned that I want my future career to revolve around traveling. I would recommend this program to others if they want to see & experience very culturally enriching things all the while getting to do it with your new best friends. I would tell myself to live & love every single moment because it really does fly by. My experience was life-changing & I discovered a lot about myself. I have made the greatest friends in the world while also getting to do things that are once in a lifetime experiences. I’m so thankful for this program & for all of the amazing things that came with it.

This experience of traveling with strangers around my age from all around the globe has provided me with so many new tools. Be where your feet are. Life is full of ups and downs but you are here and that's what's important. You have so much to learn and gain from this journey you are about to go on and it will only provide you with more things you want to explore and entertain yourself with.

I have grown as a person by getting to know myself better and knowing what I want to keep doing in life and want to change. I have gained life experience by going out of my comfort zone and learning new things. I have learned more about talking about myself and my feelings. I would recommend this trip because the program those things you wouldn’t find or do by yourself. It’s a great way to travel at a young age and meeting new people across the world. Amazing, grateful, and inspiring!

Whenever anybody asks me how my semester was in Hawaii, I always tell them that it was one of the most fulfilling and incredible things I have ever done- and I can't think of a statement that better describes my experience with Pacific Discovery. During the 10 weeks I spent in Hawaii, I met people that I will be friends with for the rest of my life, saw things that are indescribably beautiful, laughed uncontrollably, stepped out of my comfort zone, found endless support in times of struggle, discovered my potential, grew as a person, soaked up the sun, pushed myself more and more every single day, danced under the orange sky as the sun was setting, went on some crazy adventures, and created memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. No day is the same on a PD program, but that's a huge part fo what makes it such an amazing experience. The programs are incredibly well thought out, and the detailed itinerary allows students to make the absolute most out of their time on the program. The program is set up in a way that allows students to have the time and space to grow independently, but at the same time, grow their people skills, learn how to collaborate with others effectively, and have an amazing and supportive group around them 24/7. I truly learned something new every day, and grew more than I was ever expecting to. Looking back on my semester with Pacific Discovery, I can truly see how it changed my life. Everything about my semester was absolutely magical, and I could not recommend Pacific Discovery enough.

My son turned 20 years old during his time in Thailand, and like many in his cohort, had been uniquely crippled by the Covid pandemic. Every path normally available for the critically important growing, connecting, learning and changing that takes place during this time in young adulthood was blocked. During his time with Pacific Discovery, he gained innumerable interpersonal skills, as well as a deeper understanding of his strengths, challenges and his potential impact in a big, big world. The program has implemented past suggestions by both students and parents to create an intelligent, well-designed, communicative and supportive community that fosters maximum fun and growth in this age group. It made it easy, as a parent, to relax and let the time unfold as it was meant to; my kid, who in so many ways was lost, has come home found... and can't wait to get back out there!

Pacific Discovery was absolutely spectacular and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to take a gap year. I learned so much about myself and the world around me in ways I didn’t know I could. I had the best instructors and the best group members. So so so sad going home!

I came on this program for my gap semester and it was a great eye opening experience. I got to immerse myself in the culture and do fun activities! I became more in tune with myself and was able to enjoy everything offered.

This program ended up being a good experience over all but not for the reasons I was expecting or was told in advance. I made some great friends, met some really cool people along the way, and had some amazing experiences on the big island. However, the itinerary we were given in advance was inaccurate in regards to a lot of the activities. The packing list left out a lot of things that were very important to bring and had a lot of things on it that none of us used. If you choose this program, expect a lot more service work than advertised. (not necessarily a bad thing as a really enjoyed some of it, but still not really advertised in the overview.) If you choose this program there is a good chance you will make some lifelong friends and have some life changing experiences, but be prepared for some tough situations and drama within the group as well.

I loved my experience on this trip! I learned so much about myself and the world around me and grew so much as a person. In this program i had to push myself beyond what i thought i was capable which was both challenging and extremely rewarding

This program was life changing, & i’m so happy that i got to experience the things that i did with thirteen new best friends. the activities we did were absolutely amazing, & i will never look back on this chapter of my life with anything but a smile. i enjoyed everything about this program, & i wish it didn’t have to end. i learned so much about myself & about the world around me, & i feel equipped to travel on my own because of the freedoms that our instructors gave us in each place we stayed. overall a 10/10 experience!

I learned a lot about Hawaii but more so about myself. I made many friends and had a lot of great experiences. I learned a lot about Hawaiian culture and history. The people I met along the way made the trip amazing.

I had an amazing experience and learned so much about myself, as well as skills and life experience. I also learned so much about Hawaiian culture and gained many new insights and passion about the Hawaiian culture.

I had the most amazing experience taking a gap semester and traveling in Hawaii with pacific discovery. I learned so much about the history and culture of Hawaii while creating life long friendships, seeing amazing sights and hikes as well as surfing, agricultural work, and marine conservation.

Many of the places we went were beautiful, and the cultural education was very informative. There were many very cool experiences as well. Be prepared for a lot of cooking and a lot of weeding on the farms. I expected educational opportunities at the farms, but experienced difficult and repetitive labor instead on farms like Wood Valley. The workers at Wood Valley also didn’t seem to want us there and just wanted our labor. Big Island Farms was the dream farm to learn on, without doing excessive labor, and Jordan was great. Our leaders were very cool, but the administration behind them were often times lacking logic and ability to make decisions. Use logic when packing because the list provided is very inaccurate. It gets cold in Hawaii at night.

I had a life-changing trip with Pacific Discovery. I’ve made so many memories and have learned so much about Hawaiian culture and myself. I've seen so many amazing sites and met so many amazing people. The places we stayed at all were unique and taught me something different. I've enjoyed this program so much I signed up again for pacific discovery in the spring. The program had a lot more weeding and service work than expected. The first couple weeks were camping at farms and weeding. But overall I learned to work hard and push through, just not exactly what I was expecting. Our instructors made meaningful connections with us and always put their full effort into the program. Though the progam didn’t line up exactly with the itinerary, I still had many amazing experiences. For those going on, expect more service work and labor than the program puts out to be. My other problem was the food. I am gluten free and I struggled a lot with the food the provided. Though most dinners had a gluten free option, lunch and breakfast I usually had to use my own money to buy food. Despite a couple of bumps that the program has, and can easily fix, this is a wonderful trip that I definitely recommend.

I absolutely loved my gap year program in Hawaii. I had not learned about these topics in my California schooling previously, so learning about true Hawaiian traditions culture and history was very new and incredible to me. We had some issues with some of the other students and thankfully they were able to be removed, however I think there needs to be a much better interview process so that people with severe mental health issues & sexual assaulters are not able to get onto a trip like this where healing and growth and safety is supposed to be the number one priority. I loved my instructors & loved the remaining members of my group. I feel like I have made some lifelong friends and I’m so grateful that I’ve had this experience. I know that I am leaving a different person with knowledge I didn’t have before. I now want to know where my food comes from, where my water comes from, I want to grow my own food and support local farmers in my community.

This program was life-changing, & I’m so happy that I got to experience the things that I did with thirteen new best friends. the activities we did were absolutely amazing, & I will never look back on this chapter of my life with anything but a smile. I enjoyed everything about this program, & I wish it didn’t have to end. I learned so much about myself & about the world around me, & I feel equipped to travel on my own because of the freedoms that our instructors gave us in each place we stayed. overall a 10/10 experience!

I was on the Hawaii and Western US spring semester trip and it was great! We had the opportunity to learn a lot about Hawaiian culture through the multiple conservation projects we worked on in Hawaii, in addition to getting to push ourselves physically whether it be surfing in Hawaii or hiking amazing trails in the Western US. Some of my favorite activities from the trip were hiking the Grand Canyon, the Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park, and cliff jumping at the south point of the Big Island of Hawaii. The people I’ve met on this trip have also been great! My group had great chemistry together and we all grew close by the end of the trip. The educational experiences I also thought were really cool, from learning about sustainable farming and its history in Hawaii, to learning Apache survival skills in Arizona, there’s a pretty solid range and it was all interesting. Overall I had a great time, and it you want a variety of experiencing culture and fun physical activities, Pacific Discovery might be right for you.

Pacific Discovery helped me learn a lot about myself and pushed me past my comfort zone. I discovered so many new activities that I loved doing and am looking forward to continue doing. There were so many different things I was tentative about, but kept an open mind and ending up loving! I was exposed to so many new cultures and ideas that allowed me to learn so much about myself and others. I made such great friends and memories! I am so glad I came on this trip and was able to have the experience I did!

The pacific discovery program that I attended was so memorable and could not have been better. It was kind of funny how we originally had to where masks when we were first getting to know each other because after the first 5 days when we started taking our masks off it was the same time that we started to bond. It’s almost as if the masks got taken off after we learned about each other. I actually liked doing the hard conservation work out in Hawaii first. Not just because it got it out of the way, but because it provided a great way to bond. The tours of the beaches, volcanoes, and snorkeling sites, as well as the surf camp provided such fun. Camping every now and then also helped us bond. Hawaii was also a great place to traveled since it has its own culture. The west provided a lot of fun as well. The views seen after completing them provided memorable moments. Arches and canyonlands NPs were much more glorious than expected. Self led week was my favorite part not just because we got to pick what to do, but because Zion, the Grand Canyon, and Durango were all so much fun. I’ll definitely ride a bike at Zion again someday and do the same hike. Not just to get a great view bu to remember this trip. It was cool ending it in the cold snow at park city after starting everything in the heat. The core sessions done provided deep thought and help my mind grow. To everyone who looks at this program I would say go for it you will never forget it

I took a Pacific Discovery gap year and it turned my entire year around. My peers in the group are some of the most supportive people I have ever met, and they helped me grow in ways I didn’t even know were possible. My instructors always approached the program with a positive attitude and taught me to have a growth mindset in whatever we do. Each day was a new adventure and I loved the diversity of activities we got to experience. I took up things like surfing, rock climbing, hiking, biking, and so much more during this trip and it felt so rewarding to face my limits head on with the people who I can now call my family.

This program allowed me to push myself to my boundaries to see what I can really do. You’ll find that you can do a lot more than you think you can if you just give it a shot. It’s also a beautiful thing to live with the same people 24/7 for 10 weeks. The deep relationships you build and the things you learn about yourself are life changing.

Pacific Discovery program completely exceeded my expectations in every way. Not only did I get extremely close with the people in my group, I also met many other inspiring people through conservation work and other activities. This program allowed me to push myself in ways I had never done before and when I accomplished something I felt immensely proud of myself. I was able to recenter and ground myself in my values, who I want to be, and what I want to put out into the world. I’ll never forget this experience and the people that I met on Pacific Discovery.

This program allowed for tons of growth in many aspects of my life and self. It taught me to pay more attention to my values and truest self and brought out my ability to refocus my energy towards what I really care about.

I am so glad I did this. It truly changed my life, how I view things, and how I operate. I am extremely grateful to be able to do this program. I got so many unique and cool experiences and I now have some really crazy stories. I feel like a much more well rounded person after this.

I was prepared to go to college, prior to the pandemic. After I elected to take a gap year amid the program, I selected Pacific Discovery’s Hawaii/Western US the program for the Spring of 2021. In the words of one of my friends from the program, the trip was “what we never knew we needed.” Throughout the 70 days, we visited Hawaii, Arizona, Utah, & briefly Colorado. Trip highlights included surfing, cliff jumping, peaking Mauna Kea, mountain biking, hiking, paddle board & silk yoga, and rock climbing. Even more memorable than the activities were the service projects & cultural immersion. We learned so much about Hawaiian culture, sustainable agriculture & farming, and being aware of our personal environmental impacts. I particularly enjoyed how much control students have throughout the program. While everyday has structured activities & the instructors take the lead for most aspects of the trip, students have large roles in the decision-making processes. In particular, we meal-planned & cooked together nearly every night which was intimidating at first but soon became some of the most memorable aspects of the trip. In addition, there was a perfect amount of free time or “rest & relaxation” days to both provide days of rest for students, but also provide time for activities that weren’t on the itinerary (such as hiking, paddle boarding, zip-lining, skiing, biking, soaking in hot springs, etc). One of the best aspects of the trip was self-led week. We were given the ability to chose, for six days, what areas to visit, where to stay, what to do, meal planning & everything about the trip. For our self-led week, we were tasked with getting from Sedona, AZ to Moab, UT. For the six days we were able to visit Grand Canyon, Zion, & Durango, CO—some of the best memories of the trip. Pacific Discovery did an excellent job selecting wonderful instructors (shoutout Jon & Lucy), providing meaningful & thought-provoking weekly curriculum regarding life-applicable lessons such as environment, communication, values, humanitarianism, etc, and providing us with service projects & cultural immersion experiences that educated & inspired us (especially in Hawaii). Our group became extremely close with each other & our instructors, and the relationships I’ve created on program are some of the best aspects of this trip. If you’re reading this, and wondering whether or not to take a gap year (and if so take this trip), I would highly encourage you to. Coming from someone who wasn’t planning on taking a gap year, this was by far the highlight of my gap year, and to be honest, one of the highlights and best times of life. Jump in feet first, be prepared to get out of your comfort zone, enjoy life-changing experiences, and mature/grow immensely over the course of the trip.

Having lived in the Northeast my whole life, I’ve rarely made it out to the Mountain West. This trip was a fantastic way for me to explore so much of the natural beauty that part of the country has to offer. Being able to do that for 10 weeks alongside friends I’ll have for a lifetime was truly special.

We traveled a lot; there were numerous destinations we had to reach. We also hiked a lot, we spent the first month of the program in Arizona due to COVID, and it felt like we did every hike in the state. I really enjoyed the hikes, although I wish there had been a bit more diversity. I enjoyed the days we went into town and just explored together. My favorite parts were probably our most expensive activities, ie skiing and mountain biking.

I really enjoyed the program. I met amazing people: I would recommend having more free time in the schedule for us to explore cities. I would also like to do more bonding games with the other group members at the beginning of the program. Other then just orientation getting to know each other better.

I made lifelong connections with people and saw some amazing parts of the country while laughing, exercising and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. It’s inspired me to explore new places and see even more of the US. The friends I made I truly believe will be connections I maintain for a very long time.

I had the time of my life on this trip and I met friends that I will stay in touch with for a lifetime! Traveling across the western US, I experienced national parks, biking in Moab, skiing in Utah, Montana, and Idaho and other awesome activities. Sometimes we stayed in Luxe Airbnb’s, sometimes hotels, and sometimes camping. I would highly recommend pacific discovery.

Discovered many amazing parts of the Western US that I wouldn’t have visited otherwise. Fun outdoor adventure activities. Excellent group of gap semester students. Focus on sustainability. Learn about different cultures and environments.

The best part of this trip is the places you’ll get to visit and the friends you meet. For me, most of the fun and outside the normal activities. Having fun with everybody just talking or hanging out was the best.

My Pacific Discovery program traveling across the Western US for seventy days was a once in a lifetime experience. I explored so many parts of the country that I did not even know existed. We visited a plethora of stunning national parks all the while learning about the culture, flora, and fauna of all of these areas. We also encountered a number of third-party instructors along the way that taught us so much (ex. Snowshoeing with the Teton Science School in Jackson, WY) about their area. I grew so much mentally, physically, and emotionally during my time with Pacific Discovery, and I will remember this trip for the rest of my life!

I had so much fun on the Western US trip. Going from Arizona to Washington, we got to see a wide variety of landscapes and also got to try a lot of different activities. I made so many great memories and life long friends. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who is considering it, it was the perfect mix of adventure and learning.

I’m so glad I decided to take a gap year and travel with Pacific Discovery. I’ve made lifelong friends, seen some amazing places, and have grown so much as a person! Definitely some of the best 10 weeks of my life.

Overall this was a fantastic experience- I loved all of my group mates and instructors to the bottom of my heart. The activities we did were amazing and always left me wanting more, and I’m leaving feeling very confident in my ability to travel on my own in the future. I did get what I wanted- I challenged myself, learned a bunch of new skills, and met super cool people along the way. Sometimes, we did struggle with budgeting for food- it was confusing where the money was for the 3 meals a day and a lot of us ended up supplementing with our own money out of pocket. Also the itinerary wasn’t exactly what it was advertised to be- could be due to COVID alterations, but we definitely missed out on some things and had a lot of free time. I like how much the instructors trust you, the independence you are given, and the confidence this gave me to travel in the future.

This program has been such an amazing experience! This year with covid has been so difficult but these 6 weeks has been the highlight of my year. We have done so many amazing things such as watching the sunset from atop Maunakea and night snorkeling with manta rays. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to meet amazing people and have amazing experiences.

I am four weeks into the Pacific Discovery Hawaii Minimester as a gap year student and I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience. From learning the art of cutting open a coconut, a proper surf board stance, hiking up Coconut Creek, enjoying a private manta ray tour, or looking at the stars at the top of the volcano of Mauna Kea, I can think of dozens of magical moments these past 4 weeks that were elevated by the support and community of my fellow peers and the Pacific Discovery team. All while prioritizing safety, Pacific Discovery has given my group a rare opportunity of true cultural immersion: daily fun experiential education peppered with moments of deeply personal growth.

Overall I had a wonderful trip but that was mostly due to the group of people I was placed with. The program as a whole definitely had some incredible highlights but was also plagued by extra charges, usually food related. Many of the days had ample free time however there was rarely anything to do during this time while we were staying far from any cities or towns. That said, while staying in places like Cozumel, Jaco or other towns with places to explore, the free time was a welcomed break.

We started our trip in Mexico. In Mexico I was happy to have time to get to know the group but I was also extremely bored with the lack of activities. Once in Tulum we had a blast with the students and exploring. However in Mexico we were asked to spend a lot of extra money on food and activities that PD hadn’t budgeted for. The hostel we stayed at in Tulum was absolutely disgusting to the point that I got a bacterial infection in my throat. Guatemala was definitely a highlight of the trip as we were busy outdoors nearly everyday. These activities were physically challenging but definitely worth it. Once in Costa Rica the service work began which was interesting but definitely slow paced and not as fun as Guatemala. It was frustrating to have to deal with expensive meals that pacific discovery gave not even half of restaurant costs, my own medical issues with little support, and very little information or activities planned for many days at a time. I loved my group and the instructors and if I hadn’t made such incredible trips I would have gone home in Mexico. I recommend the experience to anyone looking to travel however the cost was extremely high and definitely not what I had hoped for.

*Go Abroad will not let me categorize this as a Gap Year program, so it says primarily "Volunteer Abroad." This was, however, primarily a gap year program.* My trip to Central America with Pacific Discovery was the best seventy days I could've imagined. We traversed through Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Let me start by saying that I traveled with PD in the spring of 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic. PD could've easily said that it was too difficult to travel internationally at the time, but with the right protocol, planning, and leadership, they pulled it off. I am so grateful for this opportunity to travel safely and get an amazing experience. The program activities were something out of a dream; who wouldn't want to spend a semester scuba diving, surfing, hiking, sea kayaking, and immersing oneself in the incredible cultures of Central America? I pushed myself physically, mentally, and socially and got so much out of it. Although not every moment was perfect, the trip was the best thing I've ever done. Jack and Amelia, my co-leaders, are two of the best people in the world. They modeled leadership, flexibility, and positivity. They encouraged us when we were struggling and would always be willing and available to talk to us. I wish we'd had a slightly larger food budget when going out to eat, but I understand that Pacific Discovery has to pay its HQ team. I was able to mostly stick to my personal budget through careful planning. I can't say enough nice things about Pacific Discovery. I have grown so much as a person and learned so much about myself. I feel so ready to travel independently. I will never forget my gap year. I only hope I can inspire others to also take gap years.

I had a great time with Pacific discovery! This was specifically because of the people I met on this program and some of the activities. I loved scuba diving, hiking and Spanish lessons. The budget can be better and also the itinerary needs to be updated. The packing list said that you a lot of conservative clothes and this is also not true

I had a great time during my trip! Because of Covid, we only went to Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica but I think that made it even better because we could really get to know the countries we visited. There was a huge range of things we did throughout our time including scuba diving, surfing, challenging hikes, kayaking trips, and a yoga retreat + more. It was great to get so close with the group of students and the instructors and I learned a lot.

this has been an amazing experience for the most part. the people in my group have become family and i love my instructors. most of the activities have been interesting and fun. overall i am very happy i joined this program. there are a few things however that could have been done differently or explained more thoroughly. the budget for this trip has not been up to par. quite a few of the places we have been are very americanized and a 5-7 $ budget for dinners is not easily attainable. we are all growing young adults, and this trip is very active. in short, we eat a lot. this can be worked on for future programs. the next things is the itinerary. i understand that we are now living in a world that has been complicated by the pandemic. however we were given an updated itinerary for this purpose. there have been many occasions that what we are actually doing on the program does not match up to what i initially signed up for. that unfortunately has been disappointing. if the itinerary says that we are surfing or diving for a week, i would assume that would be at a least 5 days of those activities, not 3. i did not enjoy have an entire week at a permaculture farm and only 3 days surfing. we were also disappointed that our marine conservation week is not going to be what was advertised. the next thing is that i would expect our entire trip to be planned out, per the itinerary. however there are days, meals and accommodations that we can all see have been thrown together in a hurry. that is not what i payed for. this was an expensive trip, i would hope these things would be figured out before we arrive.

PD was an awesome overall experience that taught me a lot about myself and the world around me. On a large scale, there really isn’t anything I would ask for differently. I got exactly what I wanted: to be with a group having awesome experiences learning more about the world around me. I can confidently say that this program made me become more conscious and aware in a lot of areas that I wasn’t before. So for that, I’m incredibly thankful. One thing to keep in mind is the price tag. I didn’t have any expectations of luxury, and if I’m being honest, there were parts of the trip that were much nicer than I thought they would be. However, the itinerary mentions that “all meals are covered”. A lot of times, meals were going out to a restaurant in groups with money that PD gives us. That amount was sometimes just not enough to cover a full meal. I spent a lot of extra money on meals (some of which was my own fault for not budgeting correctly). If you are to come on this trip, please budget very wisely, but also it would help if the money given to us would be enough to have a sufficient dinner, which a lot of times it wasn’t. I don’t want to end this negatively though. It was an awesome trip, and if you have the means and the time, I would recommend it to anyone as a gateway to life beyond their home, or an introduction to traveling more.

This spring I went on a gap year programm with pacific discovery. I joined the programm, together with a friend, 2 weeks before it started so I didn’t have a lot of expectations. Before coming here we got a packinglist with all the things we need. It said we needed a wetsuit, a divingwatch, a lot of conservative clothes, etc. The first two we didn’t need at all and we didn’t need as much conservative clothes as they told us we needed. I did need more normal clothes, summer dresses, shorts, t-shirts, etc. The next thing is that they told us that we would spend 5 tot 10 dollars a day, which is definitely not what I spent and I didn’t go crazy on the spending so I would Recommend saying that you need more money. The accommodations where fine most of the time, except for the fact that in a lot of Them you didn’t have any personal space which can be hard. Besides this I love the activities (the hiking, surfing, diving and way more), I love meeting new people and making new friends. It was an experience which wasn’t always easy but definitely worth it!! Overall I love it!

I had a great time traveling with pacific discovery. There is a lot of variety in activities and they try to give you a taste of a lot of different aspects of traveling in Central America. The budgeting seemed a little weird, especially our food budget, and sometimes seemed a bit disorganized, but everything always worked out

This gap year has been an amazing experience! With covid 19 almost everything I had planned for this year was canceled but this has been an amazing experience because of the people and places we have met and travels too. Our group instructors have been so helpful, alway making sure we are having a great time with our operators. My favorite thing that we have done so far was the sunset atop Maunakea. The colors were so vibrant and the stars afterwards were mind blowing. My other favorite thing was the manta ray dive, they came so close which really emphasized the massive size to the animals

I’ve really enjoyed my time on this program. I feel like I have learned a lot about myself and others, as well as the culture and history of Hawaii. We have had the opportunity to experience some incredible moments, such as snorkeling, cliff jumping, stargazing at Mauna Kea, surfing, and much more. In addition to the fun and exciting activities we have experienced, we have also had multiple opportunities to engage in various service projects which has been incredibly rewarding. I’m so grateful for having the opportunity to go on this trip, and I feel I have grown so much through the experience!

Got to meet really interesting people and learn about Hawaiian history and culture. Also got to do lots of thrilling activities like cliff jumping off a 40 ft cliff, surfing, swimming with manta rays, sharks, sea turtles and much more. I loved the kids on my program, everyone was so kind, smart, funny and adventurous. There was one student who was very disrespectful and unkind to the group and many of the people we met and the student was removed from the program eventually. Other than that one challenge, the majority of the trip was wonderful! Definitely an expensive 6 weeks (around 10k plus at least another 1-3k for flights and spending money), but got to do some awesome stuff. If you got the funds this is the trip for you!

From learning the art of cutting open a coconut, a proper surf board stance, hiking up Coconut Creek, enjoying a private manta ray tour, or looking at the stars at the top of the volcano of Mauna Kea, I can think of dozens of magical moments these past 4 weeks that were elevated by the support and community of my fellow peers and the Pacific Discovery team. All while prioritizing safety, Pacific Discovery has given my group a rare opportunity of true cultural immersion: daily fun experiential education peppered with moments of deeply personal growth.

This experience has really helped push me outside of my comfort zone and has overall been very rewarding. You learn many important life skills, meet many amazing people, and become very close with the other members of your group. There are definitely some challenging experiences that you will surely encounter (like camping in the rain), but I now feel more confident dealing with these obstacles. This program is a lot of fun and is a great option for people looking for an amazing experience during their gap year.

Being 3000 away from any mainland really pushed me to be present and connect with the people around me to have great experiences around the wonderful island of Hawaii. I felt I could connect with the culture of Hawaii much more in-depth than visiting as a tourist. The operators that I met have given me lessons and an experience that will stick with me forever.

I had so much fun in Hawaii with Pacific Discovery! Our days were packed with fun activities and I made great friends. Pacific Discovery as a organisation is not without flaws though, they were not very supportive when we had problems within our group and important decisions would take days to make. Nevertheless, my experience was without a doubt unforgettable

Pacific Discovery's Thailand program has been the shining part of a very challenging COVID pandemic year. PD did great in coordinating this program given all of the hoops and hurdles in meeting the Thai gov't requirements. While the 14-day quarantine was challenging, our son survived and is thriving. Thailand has much to offer and it has been great to see all of the pictures and to hear all of the stories about their experiences. Most definitely, the elephant preserve was the greatest! Rock climbing and getting scuba certified were also great. Experiencing the culture and Thai cuisine is awesome. Would definitely recommend the program to others!

I had a great time on Discovery Campus. The people I met as well as the staff were great, & overall the experience was amazing. Everyone was so friendly and positive, and I highly recommend it. The trips on the weekends were a lot of fun, and I have made so many memories with my roomates (which were grouped so well, it seemed like everyone on the program got along with their roomates) that I will always be thankful for. If you’re looking for a way to meet new people and gain new life experiences, this would be a good fit for you.

I did have an incredible experience. The variety of places we went to allowed to experience and fully enjoy a vast amount of different environments from desert to snow and everything in between. The program has boosted my confidence by physically challenging me in ways I could not imagine before this trip such as rock climbing and mountain biking but I had such fun trying these activities that I now have more confidence to try new things in my everyday life.

Being surrounded by other teens allowed me to reflect internally while learning from people around me as well. The trip pushed my comfort zones but at the same time was the most supportive environment I have been in all throughout high school. I loved getting to learn in a new way that wasn’t burdened with tests or monotonous assignments.

This was an amazing experience because I was able to develop as a person so much more than I ever expected. I learned much more about myself and my values...as we learned more about the Hawaiian culture my perspective changed heavily from being in my own little bubble to opening my eyes to a whole new style of living and community.

Overall this trip was amazing, the locations that we visited were scenic and extremely enjoyable, memorable places were the Arches in Moab, Utah and San Juan Islands, Washington. The facts that the group of people meshed well made the trip easy to enjoy.

I really loved this Western USA Gap Year semester trip!! loved adventuring out West through Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Oregon and California. I really had a good time and I have made some amazing friendships that I will hold on to for the rest of my life. I even have some best friends on the trip and I will miss them so much. We will see each other sometime soon though. Some of my highlights of the trip are the following: Arches Day, Canyonlands Day, Kayaking in the San Juan Islands and Rock Climbing in Montana. I had so much fun doing all of those activities and I really enjoyed it too. We went to Arches, went on a hike, and then we went to Canyonlands to do a sunrise hike. That was very cool. I really enjoyed it. Kayaking was also very cool. We saw sea lions and we almost were in Canada so that was very cool!! The rock climbing for me was very frustrating because I couldn’t do some of it but then at the end I was able to do a hard climb so I was very proud of myself. I pushed myself and I was able to do a hard climb. I was so proud of myself!! The instructors Cade and Sheila are very nice and chill. When we have had a long day, they would take us out to get hot drinks and to explore some cities which was very nice of them. They are very good instructors and they are huge role models for me. I will miss them so much once this ends. Finally, I have had an amazing time on this trip. I have loved being in the Western United States exploring and doing activities and I will definitely have to do something like this in the future. It has been an amazing experience and one that I will remember for the rest of my life. Thank you to PD for organizing this and for making it happen. It couldn’t have gone this smoothly without you guys so thank you so much for everything that you’ve done. It is greatly appreciated!!

Visiting Australia and New Zealand had always been on my bucket list, and I couldn't be happier that I got the opportunity to experience it with Pacific Discovery. You can tell how much meticulous planning they put into curating each program's itinerary and making sure that you'll see as much of Australia and New Zealand as possible in your 70 days there. On the program, you'll embody the traveler's spirit, always on the move and never staying in any one place for more than a couple of days. Looking back, the breadth and depth of activities you get to partake in on this program are amazing. From surfing on Australia's pristine beaches to taking in New Zealand's most famous glacier, your experience with PD will leave you with memories that last a lifetime. I am really so grateful to Pacific Discovery for giving me the ideal start to my gap year. I can't think of a better way to have spent the last 3 months. I want everyone to be able to have the same life-changing experience I did, so I highly recommend Pacific Discovery if you are taking a gap year! You'll learn about sustainability, culture, and the unique environment on these islands, but more importantly, you'll learn so much about your true self. If you're like me and haven't made up your mind about what you want your future to look like, this program will help give you clarity on what truly drives you to be who you are. By the end of the program, you'll have caught the travel bug and be well equipped to set off on your own travels, so make sure to leave some time for a program extension if you can! Planning your own travels and living independently is such a rewarding experience. Plus, you're not going to be ready to say goodbye to New Zealand! Once again, thanks to PD for this incredible experience!!

This whole semester it seemed I was living on cloud 9. of course there were times when I was mad, or sad or just annoyed, but those are not the times I remember. The thing I remember was the long bus rides watching movies with my friends, the spontaneous adventure we would do when we got free time from the whole group, the amount of gut-wrenching laughing that occurred at all times of the day. These are the things I am going to remember, for me experiences are often not about the places, yes while Southeast Asia was definitely one of the most amazingly beautiful places I have ever seen, what made this trip so special was the incredible people who were on this journey with me. People make these places amazing for me and I was lucky enough to be surrounded by people who made our little group into a family. That is what is so special about this program is that it takes you so far out of your comfort zone that you learn how to be comfortable in your comfort. This experience has allowed me to open so many doors for myself because I am not afraid of the discomfort, in fact, I look forward to the discomfort because I know that's when I will learn and grow the most.

When I went into this semester I was expecting things to be easy breezy and for us to just travel around look at some kangaroos and laugh. While that did make up a lot of the time this semester, I was happily surprised at the challenges that were presented to me during this semester. I was challenged physically through backpacking in Nelson Lakes in the middle of a wind and rain storm, I was challenged mentally with learning how to coexist with 14 other people who I had never meet before. Through all these challenges I learned so much about myself and my limits and about other people and how to respect but also push there limits a bit. I met some people on this trip who continue to impact my life, I stay in touch with lots of them and have even traveled to visit them here in the US. My instructors, Richard and Karlee, have also continued to influence me even after leaving the program. The Australia and New Zealand semester really brought me down to my raw form and the help rebuild me into someone who I wanted to be and I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to meet all these people and see all these things because without that experience I know I wouldn't have the courage to go after the things I want now.

I had the most amazing time on my gap year program! We got to explore so many cool places and have many amazing (yet challenging) experiences. I was given the opportunity do things that I never thought I would. The group leaders were incredible and supportive.

I went on the NZ and Fiji program in July and it was amazing. It was super varied from scuba diving in Fiji to tree planting in NZ. It was only 4 weeks long and I wish it was longer! We had a smaller group which made the trip really feel like a family and for me, made the trip even better. I learnt so much about myself and think the others on the program did too. I recommend this trip to anyone that wants to see NZ and Fiji and travel with others the same age as you, you will make lifelong friends and memory’s you will never forget. I will never forget this trip.

What a unique, wonderful experience. I typically travel alone or with family, but this was a perfect opportunity to go out of my comfort zone in a new place. It turned out quite well; I loved traveling with my new friends and our group leader. So many adventures and first-time experiences! New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve been to. PacDisco was organized, and their employees were all kind and helpful in guiding the process.

Taking a gap year was one of the best decisions I have made. Initially excited and, as my first time out of the country, a bit nervous, my worries quickly faded away as my group and I explored Sydney together. Still in contact with almost every member of the group, we all became very close during our time together. This was also helped by the fact that we had an amazing program leader. All of my expectations were surpassed. The conservation projects were engaging, interesting, and the people we worked with were knowledgeable and passionate. From planting trees for koalas to working with school kids to walking trap lines for invasive species, exploring Australia and New Zealand off the beaten path was spectacular. Though the projects were incredible, my favorite memories of ones in with the group were enjoying some free time together. We explored cities and countrysides, learning about the culture and histories of the places we visited. A few highlights included a canoeing trip, white water rafting, abseiling, sleeping next to a glowworm infested waterfall, and seeing all of the different wildlife (which are crazy cool). I highly recommend this trip to any and all!

Going to keep this short. I am now 32 and went on this trip when I was 23 or 24. It remains one of the greatest moments in my life. I have traveled a lot since then, largely because this trip made me very comfortable with international travel. I made a lot of friends and have countless memories of the couple of months I spent in Asia. To anyone considering a trip with Pacific Discovery I encourage you to do it. They are well organized and it is very clear they care deeply about everyone having a good experience.

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.

I had one of the greatest times in my life going on a Pacific Discovery trip. It was incredible and I learned more about myself then I ever imagined I would. Rach and Scotty led the trip and they were amazing guides and teachers. I have always highly recommended this type of trip to students who might feel stuck in college or not sure what to do. The trip will open up your eyes to new experiences, cultures, and make you think about how to live your life in a more adventurous way. Wish I could do it all over again and experience everything I did again for the first time. Cheers, Gregg Starr

At the start of the trip, I was most excited about the traveling in a new and different place. The culture and land were so amazing to learn about and see. Getting to do things like help restore animal habitats, maintenance for a youth camp, rock climb, and do a multi-day trek was fun and rewarding. The unplanned outings are also high lights, like a spur of the moment Wallaby v. All-Blacks rugby game, or going paint-balling. What I ended up enjoying the most though, and learning just as much from, was the connections I made with the people I traveled with and met along the way. Things I value, like how to work and communicate effectively with different people, letting go of an issue or how to resolve it. We lucked out with Kim Kenyon as our guide, who was instrumental in facilitating our personal and group growth. Coming out of high school, these were the learning experiences I needed to grow as a person. I highly recommend Pacific Discovery, the volunteer projects are engaging with the community, the adventures are fun and challenging, and the people and experiences are unforgettable.

My experience with Pacific Discovery may be the most rewarding experience I have received thus far in my life. It even outweighs my year service in the AmeriCorps. I was always tickled by the thought of visiting New Zealand, and with Pacific Discovery leading the way for my first time, I could not have had a better experience. What we, as a team, witnessed and did will forever bring a smile to my face. I experienced a raw and beautiful side of New Zealand from its land to its people that resonated on a truly compassionate level. I fell in love with the people I met on this journey. While this may be because the people I spent 4 weeks with were amazing people themselves, it is because of Pacific Discovery that I enjoyed every second, shoulder to shoulder or head to toe, with 13 complete strangers.

It bestowed upon me a new light and a new perspective. Every part of this experience gave me so much gratitude and showed me the beauty that exists in the world. These 10 weeks exceeded, by a large margin, what I expected of this trip. I have had incredible and unforgettable experiences and made lifelong friends in the process. There are no suitable words to accurately sum up this experience, and it is with the heaviest heart that I wish I could spend more time with all these amazing friends I’ve made. I would recommend this program one hundred times out of one hundred to anyone wishing to see more of the world. This program has been the best experience of my life.

My expectation was completely different from my experience, as I had a lot of anxiety about coming on the trip and being around people 24/7 for 2 and a half months, but those people became my family and the program was so much more incredible than I could have imagined. I would absolutely recommend the program to others. I think this program was incredibly life changing for me, as I now have so much more confidence in myself and what I can do, because I pushed myself farther than I ever thought was possible on this program. I also think that I've come off this program with a greater appreciation for traveling and seeing new places, as there's so many incredible people to meet, places to see, and adventures to be had all around the world. I will definitely keep traveling after this program and I know that the people I have met along the way and on the trip will stay with me forever.

My semester with Pacific Discovery surprised me in the best way possible. I don’t know what I expected going into the trip, but what I got was an adventure full of ups and downs, personal growth, adventure, physical, mental, and emotional challenge, new friends, life long memories, and a widened perspective. Having traveled alone before, I was surprised by how this program in specific is unlike any trip I could have planned on my own. The effort and heart put into it really shows and it was the perfect way to be introduced to South East Asia.

Pacific Discovery planned out the trip incredibly, and everything we did was mind-blowing. The trip really allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and experience new things that I definitely would not be able to do at home. The program also really allowed me to explore myself as a person in a way that I never have before. I felt like I really grew through all the activities we did and through any hardships that we had (we had very few though). Overall, I had the time of my life and learned so much, especially with two incredible instructors, Beth and Stacey.

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.

Pacific Discovery is a great company staffed by passionate, wonderful people who are great at what they do. The trip was incredibly well planned and allowed for a broad range of activities and learning experiences.

It's incredibly difficult to summarize two-months worth of amazing experiences that I know I'll cherish for my whole life. We adventured, we lost ourselves in nature, we were enchanted by the beautiful cultures, and through it all, our whole group became a close-knit family. Looking back, I can definitely say I've grown as a person - I've become more open to embracing new experiences and that sense of adventure compels me to keep exploring. Through all our adrenaline-pumping activities such as bridge-jumping, white water rafting, trekking, canyoning and so much more, I developed a deep love and appreciation for nature. Our traditional homestays were magical - not only did we hear our families' life stories and connect with them through language, but even more significantly, we connected through actions. We laughed, danced, sang, cooked and learned a lot with each other. It was amazing. Overall, I don't have to think twice about recommending this trip - you'll walk out rejuvenated, with your perspectives broadened and horizons expanded. It really is the trip of a lifetime.

This trip was definitely a trip of a lifetime. With everything from adrenaline-pumping adventure to rich cultural immersion and service projects, I can wholeheartedly say that this trip has been extremely character-building. I experienced the magic of the natural landscapes of Peru and Ecuador and the enchantment of its traditional communities through the numerous homestays that we participated in. I fell in love with being outdoors, trekking, running, rock-climbing - and even rappelling down waterfalls! Some of the most powerful things I took away from this trip were the deep and genuine connections I formed with my instructors and fellow travelers, a bond that will last for many years to come. It’s easy to recommend this nine-week adventure to anyone who wants to truly experience the culture of Peru and Ecuador, partake in a ton of exploration and lose themselves in nature. You’ll walk out a better person with a more worldly perspective and stories to last a lifetime, guaranteed. I know I did.

They told us during our program orientation that we'd become a family. We simultaneously rolled our eyes at the cliche, looking around the room filled with unfamiliar faces. But it's true, and it didn't take long. My nine weeks in Asia with Pacific Discovery were filled with an exuding sense of love and constant support. Together we marched for animal rights, lived in remote Hmong villages, trekked through rice fields, kayaked through caves, were attacked by leeches, and so much more. All the while we inspired each other to ask more questions, be more curious, and challenge ourselves further to ultimately be the best versions of ourselves. Ultimately, I can gratefully say that these nine weeks made me a more curious, passionate, capable and confident being. I leave my nine weeks inspired to learn more, see more, and challenge myself further.

After searching through countless gap year programs, I had finally settled on one - Pacific Discovery Australia & New Zealand. I loved the balance it had between service projects and adventure activities. Going into it, I knew I was about to have a great adventure, but I could have never expected the extent to which the program would impact me. It wasn't just seeing new places and meeting new people - it was being in awe of places you couldn't have imagined, finding connections to different cultures, and becoming more aware of yourself in the process. And there would be no better way to experience all this than with the group of people you come to call your closest friends. Going through all these experiences together, growing together, allows you to become connected on a whole other level. The mission of Pacific Discovery really does come to life as the program fosters awareness for yourself and the world around you.

I was looking for a trip that was going to be educational and authentic and fun. Without a doubt, I found it! Nepal and Tibet are truly incredible places, and coming home, I feel like I really got to connect with each of them and live like a Nepali. There were so many nights that I spent talking/singing/dancing with the locals, and I felt so lucky every day, and so grateful for every experience, be it trekking, rafting, getting lost in the cities, paragliding, yoga, or mountain biking, and for every other wonderful moment. The Pacific Discovery staff was awesome, teaching us everything from the very basics of travel to the pressing social and political issues in Nepal. Our leaders trusted us and supported us completely, and they were my friends above all. I would do this trip a thousand times over, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. Overall, the best decision I've ever made!

I had always wanted to go Australia and New Zealand, and this program gave me the amazing opportunity to do so! Going into the program, I wasn't really sure what to expect. The website and pictures I had seen looked amazing, and I expected and wanted to grow as a person from this experience, but how and by how much, I had no idea. From the very start, Pacific Discovery taught us that the greatest learning comes from outside of our comfort zones. This trip was the first time I was continuously pushed out of my comfort zone, whether it was being away from home for 2 months, being with 13 other people from all different backgrounds, abseiling down a 30m waterfall with my heart pounding outrageously in my chest, jumping out of a plane from 13,000 ft and soaring like a flying squirrel, and countless other occasions. I learned that to really make the most of an experience, I have to take what I experienced and internalize it so that I can learn from it and come back to it for future reference. There were ups and downs and ins and outs, but at the end of the day, I'm a physically and mentally stronger person than I was at the beginning of the trip - because I internalized and learned the lessons from experiences outside of my comfort zone, thanks to the way that PD runs the trip.There is so much emphasis on personal growth, learning more about your own identity, and getting the most you as yourself can get out of the trip. Along the way, I met incredibly wise and incredibly eccentric people; I learned about genius designs that revolutionized my view of "eco-friendly," I became aware of so many other lifestyles than mine own, I developed and grew as a photographer, and most of all, I came out of this program with a stronger sense of who I am and how I want to live my life. All of this personal growth in a land that some people only dream of coming to, the beautiful vistas and great cities of Australia and New Zealand. Gazing up at the millions of stars visible in the night skies there, I was reminded of just how large the world is, and how much we all have to learn from different places and from each other, something that this Pacific Discovery program definitely emphasized very well. For that, I thank you so much, PD. With love, -Ashley Yu

We were standing on the tip of a boat in our last couple days in Vietnam, watching the silence of the night rush past us, while dancing and singing on the top deck celebrating a birthday...when the girl next to me said the one thing that summed up everything I was feeling, "I have never felt so alive. This is real life, not a dream, this is as real as it gets." We then proceeded to scream at the top of our lungs, "I'M ALIVE". Dramatic, but all too honest. Spending nine weeks in four foreign countries, with 14 strangers, sounds terrifying and unreal. But leaving Bangkok for Pennsylvania, on November 14th was the the hardest day of my life. Southeast Asia became home, and my group had become my family. They had become a part of me. I cried as my taxi pulled away from New Siam II, and a guy friend ran along side waving goodbye. We saw and experienced so much together, we saw hardship, loss, inspiration, happiness, and everything else in between. We met locals that changed our view on our world, we helped each other learn more about ourselves than I ever thought was possible, and we had two leaders that taught us so much about life in general, that I will never stop looking at them as two of my greatest role models. There's a lot to say about the little things you do, yeah you live next to elephants for week, or go to the beach, or live on a boat for a couple nights...but it's all so much more than that. The life I live now is completely different than the life I lived 3 months ago, and I have nothing but Pacific Discovery to thank for that. I would go on this trip 100 times if I could, and I am sure I would learn just as much as on the 100th time as I did the first time.

Traveling to Nepal and Tibet with Pacific Discovery was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Each day was a new adventure, whether we were trekking the Annapurna circuit, or helping a Nepali village build a pig pen. Even though the views were breathtaking it was the people that made an impression on me the most. Our guides, and the families we met were the most generous people I have ever met in my life, and I was so sad to leave them. PD gave me a real and authentic experience and I couldn't have asked for a better trip. The leaders were always there to help and I look up to them in so many ways. I wish I could relive it again and again.

Pacific Discovery's Southeast Asia program was the perfect mix of volunteering, adventure travel, independent exploring, and personal development. My program leaders Jess & Devin are some of the coolest people I know and they were always there to support us. It was very clear while traveling how much effort was put into planning the program and if you are at all thinking about traveling with Pacific Discovery I would say you ABSOLUTELY should.

Can not say enough great things about this trip. I went on the South America trip during the fall of 2016 to Peru and Ecuador. This program is a perfect mix of everything-- homestays, outdoors, city-life -- and I would not change a single thing. You will meet amazing people, both in your group (including the BEST instructors), and in the local communities. The instructors are extremely adventure-driven, and join in on the bridge-jumping, paragliding, and snorkeling with sea lions. I would never have gotten an opportunity like this elsewhere, and I feel much more prepared, and matured, for college. Trips like these really open your eyes to the world and make you realize all there is to live for around you. Unlike if you planned a trip yourself, or even with other groups, this trip let us be part of the community, rather than seeing the world from the outside as tourist.

I think when researching for a program there is a uncertainty if that trip/program is right for you and if you'll enjoy. it. But don't overthink it and if you find a program that you think you'll enjoy do it and be open minded. Pacific Discovery is an awesome company, They love talking to students who are inquiring about the programs and getting to know the students going on the programs. Also seems they love to build/maintain relationships with locals. It was awesome to see, many people we interacted with, were so happy to see our program leaders or knowing we were apart of a Pacific Discovery program. This company does care about the locals and the cultures. Teaching us about being traveler not tourist and appreciating/learning other cultures . What I loved was we did do some touristy things but lot of the time we went off the beaten path. Did things I don't know if I would of had the opportunity to do on my own of done such as the Rock Climbing/Rappelling/Caving Trip to Buddhist Retreat to the cooking class(<3 Yuri) to enjoying the Elephant Nature Park(<3 Apple) as much I did to spontaneous adventures I did with group mates. So many great memories from this trip, I will always remember. Look back on trip there wasn't anything bad about the trip. if anything went so-so, we could give feedback and they wanted to hear from us to make the program the best it can be. Only bummer part of the trip for me personally was being covered in mosquito bites major of the time but I am extremely prone to bites. There were multiple opportunities for free time to do your own thing which was great. At first I was worried about for traveling for month plus with strangers but during the trip it didn't feel too short or too long but just right. I would do another trip with them. I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone :)

I had dreamed of studying abroad all throughout university. Unfortunately, my curriculum did not allow for that to happen. I did not want to miss out on an adventure of a lifetime, so I started my research. Not only did Pacific Discovery accept college graduates, they had a volunteer conservation component that I was not finding anywhere else. I was the oldest participant in my program, but I forgot all about that within the first few days. This program allowed us to grow and bond together as a group right away by throwing us into volunteer work (with absolutely no access to wireless internet-an added bonus). We were completely immersed in New Zealand culture for at least half the program, talking to people and completing tasks that a tourist could never imagine. Of course, there was still the outdoor adventure component of the program as well. This program had me doing things I would never imagine myself doing. I went mountain biking, caving, shark diving, skydiving - you name it. I developed such a sense of adventure and confidence that I never thought I could have. I went into the program having little confidence as a result of my life turning a 180. I came out of it ready to take on the world. I am ready to take risks, go places I never would before, talk to people I would normally avoid, rely less on my phone, and make sure every day has adventure. When I got back from my program I immediately moved to another state on my own to start a dream internship. Before the program I was a nervous mess, but after it I couldn't wait to take on another adventure completely on my own. Pacific Discovery not only gave me the experience of a lifetime, but they helped me grow in ways I never thought possible. I even got a tattoo to commemorate the experience! I would recommend Pacific Discovery to anyone who wants adventure. I am proof that the adventure doesn't end with college - it only begins. Thank you Pacific Discovery!

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.

My trip to South America with Pacific Discovery was amazing! I was able to meet many new friends from my group, as well as many inspiring individuals and families, while traveling through Peru and Ecuador. Pacific Discovery provided me with incredible opportunities such as learning to surf in the Galapagos, paragliding in the "adventure capital of Ecuador", hiking to Machu Picchu and so many more. What I loved about the program was that we were able to explore the places we visited, while also giving back to the communities that welcomed us. Along with many activities we did, we also took part in community gardening, cleaning up mangroves and beaches and a few other things. PD did an awesome job of putting together two months of travel, and I would definitely do another one of their programs!

"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.

Definitely a life-changing experience! I really enjoyed learning about the country including it's culture, food, lifestyle, etc. I also found that I grew as a person due to the experiences I had and the people I met. I would recommend a trip with Pacific Discovery to everyone, no matter what background or experience of traveling. The leaders provide a safe and comforting environment for everyone and give support throughout the entire trip. It made for the best, and most memorable summer I have ever had!

Pacific Discovery changed my life for the better. Through countless activities such as skydiving, camping in untouched wilderness, and spelunking through dark caves, I learned so much about myself and the people around me. Lou and Andy were fantastic group leaders who immediately made you feel like their own family. The views of New Zealand and Fiji were undoubtedly beautiful but would have been less impactful if not experienced alongside the cultural learning facilitated by Pacific Discovery and our wonderful group leaders. We learned a great amount about the places we traveled to and we got to do so many activities in a short amount of time. Before I went on the trip, I researched a lot of different travel companies and I have to say that Pacific Discovery has an impeccably organized itinerary compared to other groups. It's difficult to say in words how transformative this trip was for me, but it is an experience I would recommend to anyone and everyone. The people are wonderful and the places you get to go will leave you speechless. Lauren Hoak College of William and Mary

Skydiving, swimming with wild dolphins in the ocean, and planting flax on the protected Maud Island in Marlborough Sounds for a week are just a few of the many highlights of my travels with Pacific Discovery this summer. Traveling with PD is an absolutely amazing experience and I wish I could relive my travels in New Zealand and Fiji over & over again! PD is a very unique program, and really focuses on providing the best experience for the individual as well as the group as a whole-- by the end of the short month of traveling, we felt like a happy little traveling family. The food & accommodations were wonderful, and the company was even better. From the application process to landing on US ground again, PD staff made sure that we had a smooth, safe journey the entire way. They have been running these programs for years now, so they know what they're doing & make sure that you're prepared (and that PD is a good match for what you're looking for)! We had the perfect balance of volunteer work/activities so that it felt like we set out on a new adventure every day. All of us gained so much knowledge about ourselves, our group members, and the local people/cultures that we visited. This experience was truly incredible and rewarding!

I went on the New Zealand, Fiji trip this summer and it was absolutely incredible, so much better than I could have expected! I managed to do so many activities, which I look back on and can't believe that I actually did, such as caving, skydiving, swimming with wild dolphins, and white water rafting. The leaders were so encouraging, positive, knowledgeable and just great! We visited so many amazing places and I made so many memories that I will always remember, and I am so glad that I got to experience it all with such a great group of people. I've only been home a week and I miss it and wish I was back already, honestly couldn't recommend Pacific Discovery enough!

Traveling with Pacific Discovery to Thailand was hands down one of the best experiences of my life. So much was packed into just thirty days of travel that by the time the program finished, we all felt like we had been gone for months - our itinerary was well-planned and varied, and no two days were alike. The group leaders were extremely knowledgeable about Thailand's history, customs, and the like, which allowed us to interact more meaningfully with the locals. Additionally, instead of following the typical tourist routes around Thailand, we went off the beaten path, allowing us to experience so much more of what the country has to offer. The sheer range of activities you would get to take part in on a Pacific Discovery trip is, in my opinion, reason enough to sign up.

What an amazing program this is. Not only was the program well established and run, the trip itself was great in every way as well. There are many parts that work together to make this trip great, whether it is community service, adventure travel, or urban exploring. And I personally think thats what makes it so great, every single day is different and every day you are pleasantly surprised at what you see at do. I made friends that I know that I will continue to talk to for months to come, saw things that I would only dream of seeing, and had experiences that have and are going to continue to shape me and help me grow as a more aware and global person. Pacific Discovery is a great program, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking to travel abroad.

I love Pacific Discovery! They do such an amazing job at organizing so many different activities in a 2 month program. I got to see so many incredible things like Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca but we also volunteered quite a bit too. Those really made me feel like we were there to not only see the sights but give back and help out as well! Some of my favorite memories were while we were in Lake Titicaca at a school, I loved playing with the kids when we took breaks while volunteering. One thing that always makes these types of trips so fun is the people you meet in your group. It made every bus ride, bike trip and spanish lesson 10 times more fun. I made some really great friendships and had a great experience on this trip!

I would recommend this travel abroad experience to anyone and everyone!!! The trips are very very well planned and you get to do so much more than the average traveller! The experiences were incredible. If you are into adventure, I definitely recommend this trip! I got to go on hikes to remote villages, mountain bike the highest pass in Vietnam, rock climing/caving, elephant trekking, and scuba diving! This company is also really cool because a lot (or all) of the guest houses and hostels that we stay at are owned by local families, so you are really helping to support the local communities as well. Your leaders are amazing (love you Hilary!) and you will become close friends with the rest of your group. If you want to explore Southeast Asia and see WAYYYYY more than just touristy stuff, then this trip is for you!!!

This program had been my dream for over two years. Finally as a junior in University I was able to make this amazing experience a reality. The friends and memories made in the 9 weeks is not comparable to anything else I have ever experienced. Prior to the trip I was still unsure where my education was leading me. After seeing a part of the world in such a unique way through Pacific Discovery, I have clear career goals and all new aspirations for my future. Overall I would recommend this trip to anyone looking for an experience of a lifetime!

This program is amazing! It far exceed my expectations in every way. I made life long friends with the other participants and our program leader. Our program leader was great about giving us enough freedom to have responsibility and share in leadership rules, but not so much that we were unsafe. The adventures I had on the program were exhilarating. Some times it was challenging however everyone worked really well together to make it all run smoothly. I am very pleased that I decided to go with Pacific Discovery because no other program could have gotten me a better experience for my first time out of the country. The program did a wonderful job of inspiring me to travel more and to be confident in the skills that I got, and worked on during the program. I recommend this program to everyone!

I recently returned from the 9-week Australia and New Zealand trip with Pacific Discovery. The trip itself is fantastic; the travel and sites you get to see on this trip are on point in trying to gain an adventurous and cultural experience of the lands down under: from surf camps to canyoning in Australia, to multi-day hikes and canoe trips, white water rafting and rock climbing in New Zealand. Further, the volunteer conservation projects offer a unique perspective into sustainability and environmental maintenance that is rewarding for any type of traveler. I myself had completed a bachelor's degree and was in the midst of applying to medical school when I decided to join this trip. It was an amazing and inspiring experience that opened my eyes to an entirely different aspect of the world, and reminds us not to overlook the natural adventure all around us. Finally, the coordination of the program is perfected to the tee. The trip coordinator acts as more of a peer than a supervisor, and the trip encourages the participants to take initiative to make the most of the own travel experience. It also promotes leadership and social skills over a number of different tasks, from coordinating bookings, to organizing dinners, or leading expeditions. Not to mention, you'll make some of the greatest friends of your life on the trip, and you'll never want the adventure to end. Quite a life-changing few months for myself, and a re-inspiration about all the amazing things life has to offer.

I can't possibly explain what my trip to South East Asia with Pacific Discovery meant to me! It was an adventure of a lifetime. It's itinerary is the perfect mixture of adventure, cultural immersion, and volunteer activity. I was introduced to countless new things that have changed the way I experience the world. I am open to new things, confident in travel, and have made life long friends. The leaders were mentors and became amazing friends as well! I would recommend this program for anyone who wants to experience the world, find growth through new things, and make life long friends!

I had a few months in between graduating college and starting graduate school, and I knew I wanted to travel abroad. I could have chosen to go abroad with my college program, but I decided to take a risk and go with a group of 13 people from all over the world that I did not know. I am so glad that I chose Pacific Discovery! Thanks to this program, I have made friends all over the world that are now a family to me, and the experiences that we were able to have together were unforgettable. I did so many things on this trip that I never thought I could do, and I feel like a stronger person because of it. Pacific Discovery inspired me to keep on exploring and to seek out adventure, whether it may be across the world or just around the corner in my own town. If I were to do it all over, I would choose Pacific Discovery over any other program because their main purpose is to help you develop as a person by immersing you in different cultures, pushing you out of your comfort zone a little bit, and surrounding you with awesome people through it all. Couldn't be more grateful for this experience of a lifetime.

The Southeast Asia Semester Program was the greatest decision I have ever made. Our leaders, Josh and Rebecca, were absolutely amazing! Along with being so knowledgeable, Josh and Rebecca were simply great people with great values. The trip was a perfect balance of cultural experiences, volunteer service, outdoor activities, and free time. There is no replacement for actually traveling to a place and immersing yourself in the culture. I learned so much about the history of Southeast Asia as well as the people. Pacific Discovery has such a terrific thing going and I am so happy that I had the privilege of being apart of it. I made lifelong friends and unforgettable memories. I feel like I grew so much as a person. It was the best nine weeks of my life!

Pacific discovery is more than a tour company. It's a close family embodied with the true spirit of travel. This adventure is unique in that it doesn't fall under any particular category. One day your relaxing on a cruise ship in Ha Long Bay (google pictures), the next your trekking through the Laotian jungle and spending the night with a native hill tribe, forging relationships with locals I will always remember. The variety of activities offered on this trip is incredible. Each day of the itinerary is thoughtfully planned. You can tell that Rachel and Scott really care about the experience they are providing for their participants. This program offers a great balance between group and independent travel. The perfect ratio of structured activities to free time to explore and make the trip our own. For example, while not offered as an official activity with Pac Disco, I found the time to go waterskiing on a river in Cambodia. Many participants feel comfortable enough after the trip to extend their stay, traveling either with someone they met on the trip or independently. I spent a week learning Thai massage living in Bangkok and went on a ten day silent meditation retreat. PD was more than helpful with preparations such as my visa extension paperwork. I remember before leaving to go on the program I was at REI and had a question about a whether I needed something and they responded to my email while I was still in the store. This only one example of their passion and dedication. I'm bringing home a deep understanding of southeast asian culture, great memories, and friendships that will last a lifetime. You will grow in ways you'd never imagine. You will learn what you never could in a classroom. Come for the adventure, you will get so much more.

This trip was truly incredible. It completely exceeded my expectations. The leaders were so much fun. They were caring, knowledgeable, and were more like our peers than our bosses. Every day was filled with several activities that were very organized and well planned out. I was never disappointed with food. This trip was a great mix of cultural immersion, service, exploration, and just having fun. There was also a perfect balance between free time and planned activities. I really have nothing negative to say about this trip, and it was the happiest two months of my life!

The best decision I ever made was to come on the fall Southeast Asia semester with Pacific Discovery before starting college. My leaders, Josh and Rebecca, were so fun and caring and knowledgable. I made lifelong friendships and had incredible experiences. The program was so organized and went beyond my expectations. It balanced activities and relaxation perfectly. We were able to trek through the wilderness, stay in remote villages, bond through group activities like rock climbing, work on service projects with local people and also take a break and explore beautiful places. The amenities ranged from clean, comfortable hotels and hostels to more rugged homestays and villages. I always felt safe and never worried about any sort of health problems. At the same time I was pushed beyond my comfort zone and challenged everyday with new adventures, which resulted in tremendous personal growth. I look back on my journal and pictures from my time in Southeast Asia and wish I could be back there. Truly a life changing trip.

This review is long over-due, as I participated in the 2010 New Zealand summer program. I had the absolute best time of my life with Pacific Discovery. I went on the trip expecting a bit of hiking and some amazing scenery (which I did in fact enjoy), however what I did not expect was to gain so much more global curiosity and self assurance. Throughout my time spent in New Zealand, PC provided the perfect setting for me to push myself, to try new things (um, hello - skydiving?!), and to really explore. I not only decided to extend my stay after the trip ended, but I also returned back to classes with a more vivid drive to learn about the world - a quality that was surely enhanced by Pacific Discovery and their outstanding program.

The most memorable 4 weeks of my life! New Zealand was incredible - I had such an amazing time. Being taught about the beautiful country by so many passionate residents was brilliant. It really provided a true insight into life. The Voluntary aspect of the tour was fantastic and really provided a sense of achievement in helping out! The travelling and adventure aspects of the programme was also fantastic - eye-opening and great fun! Programme is run by such a fantastic company, so friendly, organised and really work hard to provide a fantastic experience.

My son recently went on Pacific Discovery's Nepal and Tibet program for a gap semester prior to starting his freshman year of college. As a spring admit, he was initially at a loss as to what to do with his fall semester. We are so glad we found Pacific Discovery. He had an amazing, stretching, rewarding experience. Highly recommended!

Choosing Pacific Discovery was the best decision I could have made for my gap semester. Every single aspect of this trip was above and beyond what I thought it could be. I had the most incredible time and made lifelong friends. I cannot recommend this program enough. The places we visited, the people we met, our guide (Holly is the coolest person ever), and all of the incredible things we did are experiences I will never forget. New Zealand and Australia are two incredibly exciting and fun countries, and were so much fun to explore and travel through. The entire program was incredible and I would do it again and again if I could.

I participated in the Pacific Discovery summer abroad in Thailand in July 2012. This program was the perfect balance of freedom and structure that allows participants to create their own unique experience abroad. Our PD leaders were incredibly knowledgable about Thai culture and taught us how to be respectable and ecofriendly travelers. As a future teacher I truly valued the volunteer experience at the Burmese Migrant Center. The students at the center were incredibly kind and appreciated some fresh young faces. The trip is structured so that you see some of the most beautiful and historical places in Thailand. This trip is also very active and includes hiking, swimming, and my favorite rock climbing! Along with all the these incredible activities there was also ample free time. Between activities we had plenty of time to roam the markets, shop, interact with the locals, grab a drink at the bar, and explore all of the amazing things Thailand has to offer. If you was a unique, hands on, outside the classroom experience, GO ON THIS TRIP! It will undoubtably change your perspective of the world, as it did mine. :)

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.