



Pacific Discovery
Why choose Pacific Discovery?
Join us on an overland journey of discovery, and get immersed in a facilitated learning environment that is designed to maximize the educational and life-skills potential for our participants. Our programs blend meaningful and challenging experiential travel, cultural immersion, personal and leadership development, outdoors and wilderness exploration, service learning projects, a focus on sustaina...
Join us on an overland journey of discovery, and get immersed in a facilitated learning environment that is designed to maximize the educational and life-skills potential for our participants. Our programs blend meaningful and challenging experiential travel, cultural immersion, personal and leadership development, outdoors and wilderness exploration, service learning projects, a focus on sustainability and travel ethics, and transferable academic credit options. The programs have two goals for participants: 1. Learning about the people, culture, religion, history, environments and issues of the region the program travels through. Then relating these experiences to bigger picture concepts of globalization, human rights, environment, sustainability and ethics. 2. Providing a framew...
Pacific Discovery Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
CHOOSE A DIFFERENT COMPANY
by: Scarlett Wagner - United StatesProgram: Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands Gap SemesterThis was one of the most painful experiences of my entire life. There was some things I enjoyed, mainly the volunteering, hikes/outdoor activities, community service, landscapes, and foreign language immersion. However, the treatment I received on average during my duration on the program was DEPLORABLE. For reference: I am writing this review in hindsight, several months after my experience, with plenty of time to reflect it over. First of all, there were many things that should have been on the packing list, at least in the “optional” category, that were not and resulted in me feeling underprepared and buying things I needed along my journey. Every time I think about my experience, the positive memories get drowned out by what I can only recall as my ultimate nightmare: something that left me stranded in Quito, Ecuador, only speaking basic conversational Spanish having to look after my Mom who was both unconscious and nearly hospitalized as a 17 year old young girl. The only help I received was from a kind Airport worker who helped me find and get to a place to stay. My problems with Pacific Discovery started early; however, I can link the majority of my problems with Pacific Discover back to when one of my instructors accused me of having an eating disorder and not eating enough both publicly in front of my entire group and to my face, which was SO HUMILIATING and made me feel very bad about myself even to this day (note: I never had an eating disorder, and I felt comfortable with the way I was up until that moment). The problems progressed when I was continuously confronted with peer pressure and a degree of religious intolerance. I was told this program would have strict rules on drinking, smoking, vaping, etc. THIS IS NOT TRUE! Their advertising as a program that prohibits these things was actually one of the selling points for why I joined it. They should not advertise like that. I really hope they change it soon so it does not mislead others. I also know about a romantic relationship that developed during my program (kissing) between two people when the rules explicitly state “no exclusive relationships.” The instructors were very okay with these things for the most part; they would see people violating PD policies and bat a blind eye. I was also made to feel like I shouldn’t have come to them when I did address my concerns. When I expressed that certain things made me feel uncomfortable, I (A) was ignored, my boundaries were continuously violated, and my needs went unaddressed or (B) was left out when people would partake in certain activities without me against the knowledge of our instructors. I was constantly pressured by those around me to not tell anyone about the things I was witnessing and to go against my own morals as a Christian. People sat on my bed past midnight and smoked out the window. I cried myself to sleep that night. That was the first of MANY nights I cried myself to sleep on this program. But oh, it gets so much worse. I have been medicated for my ADHD since I was 10. The instructors used my symptoms partially as a way to justify their reasoning for putting me on a “Student Accountability Plan.” From then on, I was in overdrive mode. I participated in everything. I worked hard. I went on every hike. I pushed myself. I did not complain. I was a team sport, taking hit after hit with a smile on my face that got more and more obviously fake as the days went on. The instructors leveraged this “SAP” over my head. It kept me in a constant state of fear for WEEKS, as I was told that if I wasn’t doing everything perfectly to the satisfaction of them (the instructors) I would be sent home in a second. I did everything I could to prove myself because I wanted so desperately to stay. I do not get to travel very much, my family is not rich, and I knew this was not an experience I could waste. My family at home was counting on me to do what they were never able to. The instructors made it clear to my face they did not like me. They openly had favorites in our group. I was prepared to stick it out, however and keep my struggles internal. This all took a turn when we went rafting in the Amazon. We were camping, and we had a group meeting where we discussed the departure of two fellow group members who were sent home for alcohol related reasons. We had a group therapy circle, and we all expressed our own unique feelings relating to their departure one by one. That was it. Or so I thought… I went from giving everyone in our group a hug before I went to bed the night before, to being completely outcasted in our group. I would try to join conversations and was told to leave. I was told I couldn’t go explore and have experiences by other group members (there is a buddy system so I can’t go places if nobody else goes with me). I heard people talking and gossiping about me behind my back. Nobody wanted to talk to talk to me. I felt so lonely. I cried when I was told to leave and then shortly thereafter heard that same group of people saying hurtful things. Where were the instructors? Part of the reason why I was on the SAP was going to them and expressing my emotions/concerns. Their handing of our group dynamics was painfully bad. Then, a few days later, I was told there was going to be a group meeting by our group leader at the time, which would be an extension of the conversation we had while camping. I thought to myself: okay, that seems typical. We often would have group meetings about a wide range of things. However, I was unpleasantly shocked when the whole group, including the instructors, started calling me out, one by one, breaking down my character, and bashing me from every possible angle: critiquing my every last action from the way I sat, to how much I talked, to the snack I was eating at the time, to what I said in our therapy circle from before. I was so flabbergasted that I was at a loss for words: these instructors were OKAY with this? The whole group ganged up on me, and continued while I was SOBBING. They kicked me while I was down. There was no respect for my dignity, that I started having a panic attack where I was coughing up water, having trouble breathing, had snot dripping all over my body and clothes, and physically couldn’t even speak to respond. The instructors still let this keep going. When they all mutually agreed that they were done verbally attacking me as a group, and I could walk away, I stumbled clumsily down the stairs to the nearest private space I could find: a bathroom. I did not feel comfortable or safe. I was having an anxiety induced panic attack in front of my whole group. I was embarrassed too. Nobody checked on me. Nobody seemed concerned. I have an anxiety condition that requires medication, and I had packed panic attack medicine not thinking I would actually have to USE IT on this program. However, the instructors still new I had brought it, yet they were not concerned for my health and let this situation occur before them. I could not go to get my panic attack medicine. I sat in the bathroom, frozen. I coughed up water, mucus, and even some food for a long time. I could not think. I was scared. I needed to get away. They all left me to go swim in the river that day. I heard no response when I sent a group message asking where everyone was. I experienced both the physical and emotional aspects of being alone at the same time. In hindsight, I wonder why the instructors did not warn me earlier that day when I had a one on one meeting with the two of them about the “meeting.” In hindsight, I can only justify a few possible reasons why: that they were either (A) did not care about me, (B) clueless, (C) wanted me to suffer a bit because they did not like me (I later found out that they had been trying to get me dismissed for weeks), (D) undertrained, or (E) ALL OF THE ABOVE. Anyways, we did not have access to electricity but a few hours everyday, so I had to conserve my phone battery. I called my Mom about this situation. She was very concerned, as I told her about EVERYTHING that happened up until that point, even the things I had hidden previously. She got in contact with someone from Pacific Discovery. It turned out to be my instructor’s boss. I did not know that. The next day, he wanted to meet with me. My instructors seemed very angry about it. They glared at me when they let me know, and who knows what they said about it when I wasn’t around. That same day, I was confused why we were not doing the scheduled activity that day, and someone told me that “we all voted not to do it right after the “meeting” yesterday, if you had an opinion on it you should have been there.” I just had to add that because it sticks with me months later and highlights the pure lack of emotional respect, awareness, and feelings towards me as a person that seemed to be the general group consensus by that point. Anyways, I dissociated from my emotions up until I laid my heart out to that guy from PD. He even told me I reminded him of his young daughter. He told me he had NO INTENTION of sending me home, and that the conversation hadn’t ever even come up. He did genuinely seem concerned for me and disheartened by my treatment. He throughly convinced me that he not only cared, but that he was going to help me. So, I walked back to my lodge room with my phone at 3% battery, knowing I had a portable charger I had wisely charged earlier in the day, knowing my phone would be very low, and we had an extremely long car ride the next day. I was shocked to say the least when I noticed it had less battery than it had before I plugged it in!! Someone had used it, and they did not tell me or ask. I had an already emotionally taxing night, and all I wanted was to get in bed just to wake up early the next day. The person who used my charger was not originally forthcoming. I will call him Jeff for the rest of this review. I had dealt with people using my stuff and not asking the whole time, whether it be my pillow, shampoo/facewash, hairbrush, etc. This was different. My phone was the only way I could access SUPPORT. Nobody cared about my feelings on the program by this point, and it was blatantly obvious. I wanted to be in contact with my Mom. When I confronted Jeff, things got emotional/personal very quickly. Jeff told me that he thought he deserved an apology because during the “Scarlett intervention meeting/group gang up on me,” as I like to call it, he didn’t feel like I listened properly or gave an adequate response to the criticisms he had for me during the “meeting” (as they call it). “The one where I had an anxiety induced panic attack?” I replied, frustrated. Jeff then tried to gaslight me by telling me I didn’t have a panic attack. He “knew what a real panic attack was, and I didn’t have one.” I was tired of all of this (and tired, literally), and I told Jeff that I looked up to him like an older brother, he was the closest thing I ever had to a brother in my entire life, and I reminded him that he knew about my history of being bullied/getting ganged up on from previous and very deep conversations I’ve had with this one specific individual before. I said I was disappointed how he of all people didn’t warn me of this meeting ahead of time, how he let this situation happen and contributed to it, and I called him out telling him how I felt betrayed when I overheard him talking about me behind my back. I also told Jeff that I was hurt, and I thought our relationship was damaged by that point. This will always stick with me. Jeff looked me straight in the worn down, exhausted, emotionally drained face and told me that “our relationship and friendship didn’t mean anything anyways. It was always one sided. It’s not like it’s that big of a loss.” Meanwhile, our third roommate, I’ll call him Axel, watched this whole situation go down. I felt so much pain I probably cried so loud the whole jungle could hear me. This was abuse. I did not know it at the time, but this whole experience in the jungle was abuse. The instructors came and immediately started throwing out blame as I was walking away, trying to get space and trying to find a place and way I could go call my Mom in peace (wasting valuable charge, and I didn’t even care). They would not let me sleep on the situation. They wanted me to rehash it right then and there. Like I had the emotional CAPACITY to do that. But it was made clear I didn’t have a choice. I poured my heart out to them too. I made it clear that my behavior was not regular nor something I was proud of, and that I would make amends with whomever I needed to in order to ensure PD was in good standing with that lodge. I ensured them I would never behave that way in the future (I was quite loud and disruptive with Jeff late at night). They told me to get some rest. I woke up the next day, stood up, and I apologized to AND took accountability to the ENTIRE group about my actions the night prior. Jeff did not do that. I did that on my own accords. I was the only person in the group who was not selected by the instructors as group leader (the favoritism and thoughts of me was clear: I knew they did not like me, they never chose me the whole 8 weeks). The instructors never approached me or talked to me after that night about anything. They didn’t respond to my group apology either, or the individual one I had given directly to just both of them. We then went deeper into the jungle, where there was NO cell service. For three days and three nights. I was de-stressing. However, I did get quite sick, and I had to sit out from some activities one day. The female instructor seemed to be happy about it. Deep down she knew what she did and said about me without my knowledge. I got better over the next few nights or so. At the dinner table, we discussed some things as a group and requests we had for the weeks moving forward, what we should do differently, and our thoughts about going to the Galapagos in two days. I participated in these conversations enthusiastically. So, it only came to me as an even greater shock when the instructors pulled me aside to let me know I was “being dismissed.” I never received a clear “final warning.” Obviously, I cried. They let it rip at that point. They told me they had been trying to get me kicked off for several weeks. That they WANTED me to leave already. That it was long overdue. That I was, and I quote, “the type of person who Pacific Discovery never should have accepted to begin with.” I was “never mature enough to handle this.” They basically told me to my face that they did not believe in me, and that they had been gaslighting me along for weeks. They were done with me (mind you, my interviewer for Pacific Discovery told me the EXACT opposite, they told me “you actually seem like the perfect type of person we’d want on our programs, I’m offering you an automatic, guaranteed acceptance right now if you’ll take it” - it doesn’t add up). But I couldn’t leave the group for two more days. The cruelty was the fact I had no way of contacting or talking to anyone about it (no service). I did not sleep that night. Those two days were some of the worst I’d experienced in years. I was with these psychologically abusive people! Stuck with them! For two MORE days! The trauma was knowing that their boss who I had talked to a few days prior made the ultimate decision to send me packing, and I questioned whether the entire conversation I had with him was all a lie. I never heard from him ever again after that one LONG conversation I had with him. So, I discover my Mom is flying to Ecuador to fly home with me. I had no say in that. However, she overdosed herself on the plane, and the first time I saw her in months, she was in the emergency care at the Airport unconscious, where I learned she was taken off the plane in a stretcher, and she didn’t even recognize me. The instructors saw this situation, and for the first time I genuinely think they said sorry to me out of pure pity. However, they still left me there. I cooperated. I fended for myself from there, no further help from Pacific Discovery, and I dealt with the trauma of my Mom being what appeared like close to dead and the abuse I had suffered/my emotional BAGGAGE after this experience all on my own in a foreign country. I NEVER GOT A REFUND. Despite paying a high price for travel insurance, I was never reimbursed for my trouble and the trip to the Galapagos I never had. I can only surmise that my money went into paying my “instructors” for their efforts of getting me kicked off, instead of their efforts at solving problems and helping me finish off my program. There were definitely highlights, but it overall did more harm and emotional damage to me than good. I hope you do not make the same mistakes I did. Would I recommend this to anyone? ABSOLUTELY NOT. GO SOMEPLACE ELSE WITH YOUR TIME AND MONEY. NOT WORTH THE RISK OF EMOTIONAL TRAUMA OR THE LIES PACIFIC DISCOVERY WANT YOU TO BELIEVE REGARDING RESTRICTIONS ON UNDERAGE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, ETC. If the instructors like you though, or you remind them of “them at their age” you’re likely to have a much better time from my experience. The handling of my situation was so poor, I still remember it ever so vividly to this day (I left out many details). If I can, I am including pictures of what I wrote to the company when I found out my instructors were putting me on an SAP. Clearly, I had deep understanding and reflected quite intensely on the situation from an angle that satisfied the instructors (the instructors threatened me to rewrite my SAP until they were satisfied with it putting them in a good frame of light). They did not respond to my rebuttal over messages, it’s obvious why. If I can, I am including screenshots of actual message conversations of this, and I am including what Pacific Discovery told my Mom regarding me and my response. They only let me include 3 photos.



Just do it
by: Sophia Gidwani - United StatesProgram: New Zealand & Australia Gap Semester | Pacific DiscoveryThe 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
Life changing experience
by: Callum BuchananProgram: Peru, Ecuador, and the Galapagos Islands Gap SemesterI 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.
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Nepal & Tibet Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery
















Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Rebecca Thomas
Interviewed in 2014
Rebecca went from Pacific Discovery alumni to Program Leader! Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Literat...

Rebecca Thomas
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I lead the semester, summer, and high school programs in Southeast Asia, specifically in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Josh Moreton
Interviewed in 2015
Josh is an outdoor educator and guide from Nelson, New Zealand. He has worked extensively leading groups throughout New Zealand and Australia focusing...

Josh Moreton
Interviewed in 2015
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I was working in Central Australia as a bushwalking guide, taking adult clients on 14-day expeditions through the remote West Macdonnell Ranges, on what is known as the Larapinta Trail. It was awesome work, but I was craving something that allowed me to work with younger people in the context of service work and adventurous travel. My mum actually put me onto Pacific Discovery, they were advertising for new leaders on a NZ website. I took one look at the job description and sent in an application immediately! A month later I was having coffee with Rachel and Scott at Pacific Discovery HQ in Nelson, NZ, and it has been all go since then.

Ellie Schiappa
Participated in 2016
Ellie is from a small town in western Pennsylvania, Grove City. She is a sophomore at Slippery Rock University, where she is majoring in environmental...

Ellie Schiappa
Participated in 2016
It was my freshman year of college, at a university that was my last choice of eight, and I was super unhappy. I hadn’t made a lot of friends, my roommates weren’t the best, and I had no idea what I wanted to major in. I reached a breaking point at the end of the spring semester, and through tears I started looking up the process of transferring to a school in Colorado. I had my transfer application filled out and ready to turn in when I realized that leaving my university in Western Pennsylvania was only going to solve part of my problems. What I really needed was a break; a break from school, and a break from real life, and a chance to get out and explore. So, I began the long search for a travel opportunity, and I spent two weeks obsessing over what to do and where to go.
Awards
Check out awards and recognitions Pacific Discovery has received












