Academic Credit Opportunities
Academic credit is an optional, but integral component of our semester, summer and gap year travel study abroad programs. Hands-on, out-of-class educational opportunities can be a more effective way of learning than following a conventional classroom routine. The value of these educational experiences are continually being recognized and credit opportunities are made available to the participants on our programs through the cooperative efforts of supporting faculty. If you are interested in earning credit while on a Pacific Discovery program, please review the credit available for the program you are interested in (as shown below). If you have further questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
While some courses are generic and applicable to any program, other courses offered have been designed around the specific program, and are thus highly relevant to the whole experience. The courses are facilitated in an incredibly stimulating learning environment. It is important to note that courses are mostly self-directed, and require both motivation, maturity and diligence on the part of the student to ensure their coursework is completed by due dates, to a high standard.
Course facilitation generally follows this model
Pre-program: academic meeting; assigned readings; preparation research/questions
During program: research; journaling; study sessions and discussions; seminars
Post-program: Completion of coursework; submission of papers; transcript issued; transfer of credit to home school
To view full credit information for a program, click the links in the table
Program |
Credit available |
Credit options |
New Zealand Summer Program |
yes |
|
Australia Summer Program |
yes |
|
Vietnam Summer Program |
yes |
|
Thailand Summer Program |
yes |
|
Peru Summer Program |
yes |
|
New Zealand & Australia Semester |
yes |
|
Southeast Asia Semester |
yes |
|
Nepal & Tibet Semester |
yes |
|
What is a Pacific Discovery program?
Our programs are more than simply a travel or study abroad experience. We deliberately use an overseas adventure-travel environment to maximise the educational and life-skills potential for our participants.
Each of our programs is designed to combine the following six interdependent components.
1. Educational component
Our programs are experiential education programs, meaning that learning is hands-on and tangible. For example, students will learn about a country’s history and culture by immersing themselves in it - meeting local people and hearing life stories, first hand.Experience on its own does not translate into learning. But learning from your experiences is important. To encourage ‘learning from experience’ our program leaders facilitate opportunities for participants to regularly reflect upon their experiences, and provide historical, cultural, geographical and environmental background so that personal experience can be connected with a broader understanding of place.
The educational component of our programs is multi-disciplinary and covers:
Host country: history, politics, culture, geography, environment, relevant environmental and social issues
Broader themes: globalization, development issues, environmentalism, religion, ethics and sustainability
How to travel: what to take, how to plan, how to keep safe, the realities of life on the road, ethical and sustainable travel
Outdoor education: where relevant, learning the soft and hard skills of a number of outdoor activities, such as backpacking, climbing, mountain biking, kayaking (varies by program).
Group skills: how to work with a group, communication and trust.
Development of personal leadership skills
2. Volunteer component
Volunteer and community service elements built into our program itineraries allow participants to really immerse themselves in a place and share an experience with local people - bridging the gap that often exists between visitor and host. The rewards are tangible and often unexpected. Volunteer work helps build self confidence and self belief through participants having to learn new skills and take on new roles. Volunteer components vary by program. Examples of volunteer work undertaken by participants are building simple homes for marginalized poor, being a big brother/sister to an orphan, habitat restoration, species monitoring.3. Cultural immersion component
Small groups mean that our participants are not travelling in a ‘bubble’ separated from local people. Instead we immerse participants in the local culture, through home-stays, volunteer projects, language study etc. Participants learn empathy for other cultures and build bridges of cultural understanding.4. Travel component
Travel and the realities of ‘life on the road’ teaches a lot of valuable lessons - how to communicate and relate to people from different cultures, how to be happy with few possessions and a simple life, how to overcome temporary discomfort. Tavel ultimately exposes participants to the myriad possibilities in the world and their lives and allows for personal growth free from the expectations of family, peers and co-workers.Our goal is that participants will learn the ‘art of travel’ - what to take, how to plan, how to keep safe, how to find what you need in an unfamiliar place, the realities of life on the road. By the end of a program, we expect most participants will have learned the skills necessary to travel safely anywhere on earth.
5. Adventure education / Outdoor education component
Our programs are one long adventure. Aside from the fact that adventure can be a whole lot of fun, our programs are adventurous because personal growth occurs through challenge. We challenge participants at their own level, so that they can gain confidence through overcoming obstacles and challenges during the program.A variety of outdoor or adventure activities are included in our programs, such as back packing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, mountain biking etc. These activities require physical effort, mastery of technique, teamwork and trust between members of the group, and immersion in the outdoor environment.
Pacific Discovery takes a 'challenge by choice' approach to the adventure components of our programs. We have had people from all levels of fitness and experience on our programs. Adventure activities and instruction are aimed at the novice/beginner level, however we are able to facilitate more challenge for people who are experienced in a particular discipline. Generally participants do need to have fitness at a level that they are able to comfortably walk for 2-3 hours with a small back pack.
6. Personal and leadership development component
By taking participants out of their comfort zone and challenging them physically, culturally and mentally, we encourage students to gain confidence in their abilities and provide a supportive group environment where they can grow.All of the components provide an enormous opportunity for participants to learn about themselves, to push their boundaries, question their assumptions, to stimulate problem solving and inquiry skills.
By giving participants responsibilities and freedom within the framework and safety of a well designed and carefully managed program, participants are empowered, helping them become more capable and self-reliant.
