Semester, Summer & Gap Year Program FAQs
Our program-specific information booklets contain almost all pre-departure program information. To request a program-specific information booklet, go to the page of the program you are interested in, click on 'information booklet' (top right on page) - it will then be emailed to you in a few minutes.
If you can't find the answer to your question on this page or in the information booklet for your program, please contact us - we are happy to chat to you, your family, or academic advisor, about our programs.
Background
How is Pacific Discovery different from other programs?
We deliberately use an overseas adventure-travel environment to maximize the educational and life-skills potential for our participants. Our programs are made up of six different but interrelated components – experiential education, volunteer, cultural immersion, international travel, adventure education, personal and leadership development. The combination of these components makes our programs much more than simply a travel or study abroad experience.
How long has Pacific Discovery been running?
Pacific Discovery was established in 2001 by Rachel Sanson and Scott Burnett. Rachel and Scott had been running international travel study programs for other companies for 5 years, prior to launching Pacific Discovery.
Can I contact past participants or their parents?
We encourage you to contact past participants or parents and can provide their contact details to you upon request.
Program Fee
What is my program fee spent on?
We probably have the lowest overheads of any study abroad program on offer. Pacific Discovery was founded to provide pivotal life changing experiences to participants, not to make money. 90% of your program fee is spent on you, during your program. 9% covers the time put into program logistics, office costs and carbon offsets. 1% goes to supporting NGOs and community initiatives in host countries. Our staff are dedicated to the Pacific Discovery ethic and put in more effort than they are compensated for - we do look after our staff and program leaders but the reason we all do this work, is the reward of facilitating and observing such life-changing experiences. We rely on word of mouth to market our programs, so we don't charge you for expensive advertising and printing glossy promotional materials. Around 75% of participants come through word of mouth referrals, the remainder find us while searching on the web.
What about scholarships, loans, or financial aid?
Pacific Discovery charges a minimum for our programs and we do not have the financial means to offer scholarships. However, we are happy to provide any supporting documentation to assist you with independent scholarship applications. Additionally, through taking the optional credit, or arranging their own 'home school' credit in areas such as‘internship' and ‘field studies' participants have often been able to retain their financial aid.
Safety
What is Pacific Discovery's safety record?
In all our years of running programs, and with well over 700 participants and more than 30,000 participant days, we have an excellent safety record. Not one participant has had to leave a program due to program-related illness or injury. We maintain a comprehensive risk assessment and safety management system.
Political safety/terrorism?
We believe that participants are at no more risk from terrorism on our programs than they are at home. We keep close tabs on developments in countries in which we run programs, and if we perceived an increase of risk in an area, we would not hesitate to re-route, curtail, postpone or cancel the program. Participant safety and wellbeing is foremost.
All students are given a comprehensive program briefing on the first day in-country. This briefing covers how the trip will run, cultural information, personal safety and health. We insist upon a few simple rules to ensure participant safety on the program. Throughout the program, participants are then given region or activity specific briefings and instruction relevant to the experience they are embarking on.
Eligibility and Enrolment
Do I have to be a student?
Our programs are open to anyone, students and non-students, aged 18-25 years old. 90% of students are either university students or recent graduates.
What if I'm just outside the 18-25 age range?
We will consider mature 17 year olds who have graduated high school but have not yet turned 18. We will also take participants up to 30 years of age if they are still a student or have recently graduated. In either case, we reserve the right to decline applicants outside the 18-25 age range and require those applying to contact us before registering.
What are the requirements for enrolment/registration?
We fill programs on a first to register basis. We believe in making our programs accessible to anyone. Therefore we have no minimum GPA requirements. Simply complete a registration form and submit it with your deposit.
What is the screening process? Do you turn applicants down?
By presenting our programs as accurately as possible, we attract participants who know what they are getting into, who are willing to be challenged, and to work together as a group throughout the program. We choose not to screen applicants and believe everyone should be given a chance.
Can you accommodate students who are vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely - yes - and any other special dietary requirements.
What if I live outside the USA?
We enjoy having students from other countries and encourage you to join us. The majority of participants come from North America (USA and Canada). Students have joined us from Canada, England, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. And even though you live in another country, you are still able to enroll in academic classes offered on our programs.
Do I need prior experience in any of the activities offered?
No prior experience is necessary. All activities and instruction are aimed at the novice level. However, for those experienced in particular skills, opportunities for challenge at their level are facilitated. We always have a range of students and abilities, from those who have never travelled, never swum in the ocean, never slept in a tent, never been on a day hike, to others who are certified in various outdoor pursuits, from wilderness first aid to rescue diving. The diversity enriches the experience for all of us.
Do I need to be really fit and active?
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. Generally students do need to have fitness at a level that they are able to comfortably hike for 3-4 hours with a daypack. Please contact us if you have concerns about your physical abilities.
Physical/medical conditions?
We will consider participants with existing physical and medical conditions. We have had participants join us with hearing impairment, diabetes, asthma etc. Please contact us about your condition and note the program you are interested in, so we can discuss the feasibility of your participation.
Group makeup
What is the average age of students?
We generally take participants aged 18-25yrs. The average age of participants is 21-22 and the majority of participants are 19-24.
What is the gender ratio in Pacific Discovery groups?
Our programs average 60% female students, 40% male students. We take students on a first to register basis and perhaps women are more adventurous than men, or more organised? Regardless, we find that our programs have a fantastic group dynamic as our past participants attest.
Will I like my group and will they like me?
The group dynamic is a powerful aspect to the Pacific Discovery experience. Students are usually surprised how fast the group bonds, how supportive it is, and how much they enjoy the group experience. That's not to say that group bonding magically happens. You should come on the program with an open mind and be prepared to work with and support others in your group. Group skills learnt on a Pacific Discovery program are invaluable throughout life, where you often have to work as part of a group, whether it's in your work place or community.
How much free time is there?
You will find that we have struck a good balance between structured group activities and free time. We allow roughly one day a week as a free day. This is always in a town or city where you will have access to laundry, email, banks, phone etc.
Can I be on the same program as my friend?
If you wish to be on the same group as a friend, just indicate this is the designated space on the registration form. For group dynamics reasons, we prefer to have no more than two people who know each other in the same group, however this is not a hard and fast rule, and if you are wanting to join the program with a couple of friends, please contact us to check whether there is space open on the program of your choice.
Can couples join a program?
Yes, we are happy to take married/unmarried couples, and have had several join our programs over the years. Couples have to be prepared to be open to a group experience and should not expect to be treated differently to other participants and should note that they will not often have private accommodation.
Credit
Do I have to take classes on the program?
Around 60-70% of participants come on our programs purely for the experience. There is no compulsion to take classes. Classes offered are an optional addition to the program that enhances the learning experience.
How are classes structured?
The courses offered are designed around the program experience, and are thus highly relevant. They are also facilitated in an incredibly stimulating learning environment. It is important to note that the classes are mostly self-directed, and require motivation, maturity and diligence on the part of the student to ensure their coursework is completed by due dates, and to a high standard.
How do I find out if credit will transfer back to my school?
Print off the class outlines and take these to your academic advisor. Classes offered should easily transfer into your degree as general elective requirements.
Who can take credit?
Participants of any age, from any country and any university can enroll in classes offered on the program. GAP year students often take credit even if they have not yet enrolled for university. However, it is your responsibility to check that credit for these classes will transfer to and be accepted by your university - discuss this with your academic advisor, they should be able to assist you with this process.
Can I take credit through my own school?
We have had a number of students design their own field studies/internship project with a professor at their own school. This has enabled those students to retain their financial aid, and earn credit that is specifically relevant to their major course of study. This is up to you to organise and facilitate yourself, but we are happy to assist you to find information, set up meetings, etc.
Financial Aid
Please contact the financial aid office at your home school to discuss eligibility for financial aid while studying abroad with Pacific Discovery.
New Zealand and Australia Programs
Can I work in New Zealand or Australia after the program?
Pacific Discovery does not arrange work or extended travel visas. If you want to stay on in Australia or New Zealand after (or before) the program you must arrange the relevant work/study visa yourself. However, many participants have done this (and do so each year), and have recommended the following contacts for arranging work visas:
New Zealand - http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/work/workingholiday/
Australia - http://www.immi.gov.au/immigration.htm
New Zealand & Australia - http://www.bunac.org
New Zealand & Australia - http://www.ccusa.com
Southeast Asia Programs
I would like to volunteer in Southeast Asia after the program. Can you help with this?We can certainly help with contacts for various organizations but it will be up to you to set up a placement. Be aware that very few organizations offer short term volunteer placements.
Insurance
What happens if I get sick or injured?
We require all participants to have a comprehensive medical/travel insurance policy to cover them in the unlikely event that they need medical attention. If anyone on a program gets sick, there are good medical facilities and doctors in most towns and cities. We have a comprehensive safety plan in place. Our program leaders carry a cellphone and have contact information for medical evacuation and medical facilities as well as participants travel insurance details, on them at all times. We have never had sickness or injury that prevented a participant from completing a program. With regard to existing health conditions, participants are required to complete and submit a medical questionnaire. We, and our program leaders, work with participants to ensure their health requirements are met.
Do I really need travel insurance?
It is really important that in the unlikely event of illness or injury you have access to good medical care. We require all participants to have insurance that covers them for medical evacuation and treatment/care. Travel insurance covers this in addition to other benefits like cover for lost luggage etc. Details about how to arrange travel insurance are in the information booklet for each program.
Internships
Do you offer internships?
Yes, we offer a leadership internship. This best suits students who are working towards a career in tourism, education, international leadership or outdoor instruction. We have also had students complete International Studies and Environmental Studies internship requirements on our programs.
Pacific Discovery internships are set up to allow students, their faculty, and Pacific Discovery leaders, to work together to design an internship that meets the specific interests and requirements of each intern. Some people join the program as interns merely for an experience, whilst others are completing their major internship requirements, and have a considerable amount of home school requirements to meet and paperwork/assessments to complete during the program. We are happy to work with you in whatever way possible to ensure your needs and interests are catered for whilst on the program.
Are internships subsidized or paid?
All program participants pay the same program fee, whether they are an intern, or not. Pacific Discovery does not have the budget to subsidize interns.
Print the internship application.
Leaders and Employment
What are the program leader's qualifications?
We are really proud of our program leaders. They come from a variety of backgrounds but all have extensive international group leadership experience. Most importantly they have the interpersonal skills to connect with every participant and engender a great group dynamic. They are organised, sensible and don't take unnecessary risks. At a minimum they hold a wilderness first aid certificate.
We are a very small educational travel company with little staff turnover. However, as we grow we do occasionally need to bring new program leaders onboard. If you would like to be considered for a position in the future, the key thing we are looking for in potential program leaders is experience. Our program leaders come from a variety of backgrounds but all have had extensive experience in the countries in which they lead trips, and all have work experience teaching or instructing groups. Please refer to our employment page for more information.
