https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog Check out the stories and experiences of our gap year and college students as they discover the world on a Summer or Gap Year Semester Program.en-nz Copyright 2024 Pacific Discovery Tue, 09 Jun 2026 12:19:56 +1200 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Netzone CMS by Tomahawk https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/ethical-elephant-sanctuaries-and-cultural-immersion-what-students-gain-from-a-thailand-program By Henry Grayson, Guru Instructor, Pacific Discovery ethical-elephant-sanctuaries-and-cultural-immersion-what-students-gain-from-a-thailand-program outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/what-is-a-gap-year Deferring is one of the best decisions you can make.
]]> what-is-a-gap-year outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/4-surprising-lessons-students-learn-on-a-gap-year-in-australia Henry Grayson on the four lessons that actually stay with students from a gap ye
]]> 4-surprising-lessons-students-learn-on-a-gap-year-in-australia outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/gap-year-programs-the-complete-guide Types, costs, accreditation, destinations, life stages, and how to choose.
]]> gap-year-programs-the-complete-guide outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/3-things-that-make-fiji-more-than-just-a-tropical-destination Cultural immersion in Nadi and conservation at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes.
]]> 3-things-that-make-fiji-more-than-just-a-tropical-destination outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/best-gap-year-program-destinations-south-america-new-zealand-thailand-hawaii-polynesian-journey-and-southeast-asia The goal is never to visit the most places. It is to go to the right places.
]]> best-gap-year-program-destinations-south-america-new-zealand-thailand-hawaii-polynesian-journey-and-southeast-asia outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/gap-year-accreditation-what-it-means-what-to-look-for-and-why-pacific-discovery-holds-all-three This guide explains what the major gap year accreditation bodies actually assess gap-year-accreditation-what-it-means-what-to-look-for-and-why-pacific-discovery-holds-all-three outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/4-surprising-things-students-discover-on-a-gap-year-in-ecuador From an instructor's perspective, watching the process happen is remarkable.
]]> 4-surprising-things-students-discover-on-a-gap-year-in-ecuador outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/structured-vs-independent-gap-year-pros-cons-and-how-to-choose Should you join a structured gap year program, or plan and go it alone?
]]> structured-vs-independent-gap-year-pros-cons-and-how-to-choose outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/3-unexpected-lessons-students-learn-on-a-gap-year-in-peru The moments that truly shaped students were not always the ones on the itinerary
]]> 3-unexpected-lessons-students-learn-on-a-gap-year-in-peru outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/how-much-do-gap-year-programs-cost-ranges-what-is-included-and-how-to-fund-yours Gap year program fees depend on three: duration, destination & what is included. how-much-do-gap-year-programs-cost-ranges-what-is-included-and-how-to-fund-yours outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/gap-year-programs-by-life-stage-after-high-school-during-college-and-after-graduation A gap year at 18 looks very different from one at 22. This guide breaks it down.
]]> gap-year-programs-by-life-stage-after-high-school-during-college-and-after-graduation outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/a-parents-perspective-of-what-really-happens-on-a-gap-year-program-pacific-discovery Written by a Guru Instructor, A parent's letter that says it better.
]]> a-parents-perspective-of-what-really-happens-on-a-gap-year-program-pacific-discovery outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/how-to-choose-the-right-gap-year-program Taking a gap year is one of the best decisions a young person can make.
]]> how-to-choose-the-right-gap-year-program outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/inside-our-bali-cultural-immersion-program-a-lifechanging-gap-year-for-high-school-graduates Discover our life-changing Bali cultural immersion program for graduates.
]]> inside-our-bali-cultural-immersion-program-a-lifechanging-gap-year-for-high-school-graduates outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 21 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/types-of-gap-year-programs-a-complete-guide A gap year looks different for everyone, all of them choose a structured program
]]> types-of-gap-year-programs-a-complete-guide outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/what-is-a-gap-year-meaning-benefits-and-how-to-make-yours-count So what is a gap year, exactly? Is it right for you? And how do you make sure
]]> what-is-a-gap-year-meaning-benefits-and-how-to-make-yours-count outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/personal-growth-in-peru-ecuador-the-galpagos Discover how 10 weeks in Peru, Ecuador, and the Galápagos Islands transforms you
]]> personal-growth-in-peru-ecuador-the-galpagos outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/we-did-it-pacific-discovery-named-a-2025-go-overseas-community-choice-award-winner We're proud to announce we are a 2025 Go Overseas Community Choice Award Winner
]]> we-did-it-pacific-discovery-named-a-2025-go-overseas-community-choice-award-winner outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/south-america-gap-semester-with-pacific-discovery-living-with-pachamama-from-machu-picchu-to-the-galpagos On Pacific Discovery’s South America Gap Semester, students experience Pachamama
]]> south-america-gap-semester-with-pacific-discovery-living-with-pachamama-from-machu-picchu-to-the-galpagos outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/australia-bali-gap-semester-with-pacific-discovery-learning-balance-through-tri-hita-karana Tri Hita Karana is a Balinese cultural concept centered on balance.
]]> australia-bali-gap-semester-with-pacific-discovery-learning-balance-through-tri-hita-karana outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/a-week-in-hawaii-with-pacific-discovery-more-than-paradise By a Guru Instructor, Henry Grayson
]]> a-week-in-hawaii-with-pacific-discovery-more-than-paradise outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Fri, 20 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/polynesian-journey-gap-semester-cultural-immersion-across-hawaii-fiji-new-zealand Travel through Hawai‘i, Fiji, and Aotearoa learning guardianship, responsibility
]]> polynesian-journey-gap-semester-cultural-immersion-across-hawaii-fiji-new-zealand outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/surf-canyoning-conservation-in-australia-practicing-yindyamarra-on-pacific-discoverys-minisemester Australia Mini-Semester, students live Yindyamarra, a Wiradjuri value of respect
]]> surf-canyoning-conservation-in-australia-practicing-yindyamarra-on-pacific-discoverys-minisemester outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 11 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/voyaging-the-pacific-a-semester-of-service-story-and-selfdiscovery Leading the Polynesian Journey in 2023 was as transformative for me as it was...
]]> voyaging-the-pacific-a-semester-of-service-story-and-selfdiscovery outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/more-than-a-trip-why-new-zealand-with-pacific-discovery-stays-with-you-for-life Written by a New Zealand Guru Instructor-Henry Grayson
]]> more-than-a-trip-why-new-zealand-with-pacific-discovery-stays-with-you-for-life outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/living-aloha-on-the-pacific-discovery-hawaii-mini-semester-the-spirit-of-welcome-and-connection Discover the meaning of “Aloha” in Hawaii.
]]> living-aloha-on-the-pacific-discovery-hawaii-mini-semester-the-spirit-of-welcome-and-connection outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/what-i-love-about-the-pacific-discovery-programs-from-a-guru-instructor-outreach-advisor-henry-grayson "What sets Pacific Discovery apart?" It’s a lived experience.
]]> what-i-love-about-the-pacific-discovery-programs-from-a-guru-instructor-outreach-advisor-henry-grayson outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/find-your-ikigai-on-pacific-discoverys-japan-mini-semester Explore Japan’s culture through the lens of Ikigai
]]> find-your-ikigai-on-pacific-discoverys-japan-mini-semester outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/explore-maya-culture-and-community-on-pacific-discoverys-central-america-gap-semester Discover Maya culture, adventure, and community on explore-maya-culture-and-community-on-pacific-discoverys-central-america-gap-semester outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/why-do-a-pacific-discovery-program-from-a-guru-instructor-outreach-advisor-henry-grayson Hear from an instructor, "They come back as more themselves — clearer, braver..
]]> why-do-a-pacific-discovery-program-from-a-guru-instructor-outreach-advisor-henry-grayson outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/pacific-discovery-named-one-of-goabroads-top-rated-gap-year-providers-of-2025 Pacific Discovery Named One of GoAbroad’s Top Rated Gap Year Providers of 2025
]]> pacific-discovery-named-one-of-goabroads-top-rated-gap-year-providers-of-2025 outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/experience-ayni-with-pacific-discovery-community-culture-and-adventure-on-the-south-america-gap-semester Discover Ayni, the Andean tradition of cooperation and community, on Pacific Dis experience-ayni-with-pacific-discovery-community-culture-and-adventure-on-the-south-america-gap-semester outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/nepal-tibet-with-pacific-discovery-living-bistari-bistari-in-the-himalayas Participants hike through remote mountain regions of Nepal, learn from locals... nepal-tibet-with-pacific-discovery-living-bistari-bistari-in-the-himalayas outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/an-instructors-perspective-a-reflection-from-a-guru-instructor I believe in learning by doing, and what better classroom than a foreign country
]]> an-instructors-perspective-a-reflection-from-a-guru-instructor director@pacificdiscovery.org Sat, 17 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/discovering-buddhism-with-pacific-discovery-mindfulness-and-connection-on-our-southeast-asia-gap-semester
]]> discovering-buddhism-with-pacific-discovery-mindfulness-and-connection-on-our-southeast-asia-gap-semester director@pacificdiscovery.org Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/start-the-year-with-purpose-why-a-gap-year-can-be-the-most-meaningful-way-to-begin-your-next-chapter A gap year gives students the confidence to move forward with clarity.
]]> start-the-year-with-purpose-why-a-gap-year-can-be-the-most-meaningful-way-to-begin-your-next-chapter outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/why-south-america-changes-you-lessons-from-a-decade-of-leading-students-abroad An inside look at what truly prepares students for South America.
]]> why-south-america-changes-you-lessons-from-a-decade-of-leading-students-abroad Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/discover-japan-beyond-the-surface-why-the-japan-mini-semester-is-the-ultimate-cultural-adventure-experience A five week immersive journey through Japan’s culture, nature, and community. discover-japan-beyond-the-surface-why-the-japan-mini-semester-is-the-ultimate-cultural-adventure-experience director@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 12 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/experiential-learning-in-action-why-the-best-classroom-experience-might-be-getting-muddy-in-a-fish-pond-or-spotting-tarantulas-in-costa-rica Experiential learning isn’t on the itinerary, it is the itinerary.
]]> experiential-learning-in-action-why-the-best-classroom-experience-might-be-getting-muddy-in-a-fish-pond-or-spotting-tarantulas-in-costa-rica outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/mini-gap-semesters-big-impact-in-less-time Discover how mini gap semesters offer cultural immersion, growth, and adventure.
]]> mini-gap-semesters-big-impact-in-less-time info@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/study-abroad-with-pacific-discovery-an-immersive-alternative-to-traditional-programs What if studying abroad could mean something more? More immersive, more hands-on study-abroad-with-pacific-discovery-an-immersive-alternative-to-traditional-programs info@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/how-a-gap-semester-changed-my-life-personal-growth-travel-and-lessons-that-last-forever A gap semester is a life-changing opportunity! how-a-gap-semester-changed-my-life-personal-growth-travel-and-lessons-that-last-forever Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/why-ethical-sustainable-travel-matters Ethical, sustainable and responsible travel is the future. why-ethical-sustainable-travel-matters outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 04 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/why-take-a-gap-year-before-college-10-powerful-reasons Whether you're feeling unsure about your next steps, eager to travel, or craving why-take-a-gap-year-before-college-10-powerful-reasons outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/why-bali-is-the-ultimate-gap-year-destination-in-2025 Wondering why Bali is the best Gap Year destination? Find out more! why-bali-is-the-ultimate-gap-year-destination-in-2025 outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/top-10-reasons-to-do-a-summer-program Ready to travel abroad this Summer? top-10-reasons-to-do-a-summer-program outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/is-hawaii-perfect-for-an-outdoor-summer-expedition Progressive outdoor Summer Program & scuba diving in Hawaii is-hawaii-perfect-for-an-outdoor-summer-expedition outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Fri, 21 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/college-deferral-guide If you're considering deferring your college admission to join a transformative college-deferral-guide outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/top-rated-gap-year-provider-for-2024 Find out why we're GoAbroad’s Top Rated Gap Year Provider for 2024
]]> top-rated-gap-year-provider-for-2024 info@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/10-reasons-to-take-a-gap-year-in-2025-and-beyond Here’s why taking a gap year might be one of the best decisions you ever make:
]]> 10-reasons-to-take-a-gap-year-in-2025-and-beyond info@pacificdiscovery.org Fri, 10 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/my-experience-with-pacific-discovery This blog post accompanies Lilah's short film, created on the Polynesian Journey
]]> my-experience-with-pacific-discovery Fri, 20 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/what-i-learned-during-my-gap-semester Taking a gap semester is a transformative experience. Here's what I learned...
]]> what-i-learned-during-my-gap-semester Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/why-i-chose-to-take-a-gap-year The more I would think about it the more I gravitated towards taking a gap year.
]]> why-i-chose-to-take-a-gap-year Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +1300 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/taking-a-gap-semester Planning your gap semester, important considerations, reasons for taking a gap..
]]> taking-a-gap-semester info@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/how-to-plan-for-an-international-trip A guide to planning and preparing for your first international trip.
]]> how-to-plan-for-an-international-trip info@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/what-is-a-gap-year-how-to-make-yours-count A gap year is an intentional period of time devoted to personal growth... what-is-a-gap-year-how-to-make-yours-count outreach@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/college-deferral How and why you should defer your college admission.
]]> college-deferral Fri, 07 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/the-power-of-gap-years-as-an-antidote-to-student-burnout Burnout is a state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion.
]]> the-power-of-gap-years-as-an-antidote-to-student-burnout info@pacificdiscovery.org Sun, 13 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/how-does-service-learning-benefit-the-communities Many gap year programs involve an element of service learning. How do they help?
]]> how-does-service-learning-benefit-the-communities info@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 08 Aug 2023 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/10-highlights-from-our-central-america-gap-semester-program Pacific Discovery alum, Abby, tells us all about her top 10 highlights 10-highlights-from-our-central-america-gap-semester-program info@pacificdiscovery.org Sun, 11 Jun 2023 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/why-choose-pacific-discovery-as-your-gap-year-provider We asked Pacific Discovery alumni, Abigail Hasselbrink why she chose Pacific Dis
]]> why-choose-pacific-discovery-as-your-gap-year-provider info@pacificdiscovery.org Sun, 21 May 2023 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/whats-the-accommodation-like-on-program It's one of our most frequently asked questions 'What's the accommodation like?'
]]> whats-the-accommodation-like-on-program info@pacificdiscovery.org Thu, 04 May 2023 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/10-things-i-learned-during-my-gap-year Here are 10 things I learned during my gap year.
]]> 10-things-i-learned-during-my-gap-year info@pacificdiscovery.org Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/10-reasons-to-do-a-summer-program Not sure how to spend your summer? Join us on one of our incredible programs!
]]> 10-reasons-to-do-a-summer-program info@pacificdiscovery.org Wed, 05 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +1200 https://www.pacificdiscovery.org/need-to-know/blog/post/how-to-take-a-gap-year-during-college Taking a gap year in the middle of getting your degree can seem a bit daunting.
]]> how-to-take-a-gap-year-during-college info@pacificdiscovery.org Tue, 22 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +1200