Blog

A celebration is in order!We are excited to share that Pacific Discovery got recognized as the Top Rated Gap Year Provider of 2021 by GoAbroad! Students across the country were asked about their gap year experience, and our amazing alumni rated us as #1! This recognition is the result of a fantastic team effort, so we are incredibly proud of our team for their hard work, passion and dedication. We remain grateful for the opportunity to develop and facilitate experientia… Read more

Taking a gap year during college is becoming more and more mainstream, and is proving to be especially popular and useful for pre-med students. A staggering 44% of medical students chose to take a gap year or two in 2019, according to a survey from the Association of American Medical Colleges. While some reported using this year away from the classroom to work on their medical school applications, others used it to improve their finances, recharge or volunteer abroad, fo… Read more

Volunteering abroad during a gap year can be a life-changing experience. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, gives you the chance to fully immerse yourself in a foreign culture, while also giving back to the local community in whatever way you can. All in all, it is usually a transformative experience that has the potential to make a positive impact on someone's life, and when done right, it can help others. How volunteering benefits you on a personal and profession… Read more

By the time you graduate from high school, you have spent an astonishing amount of time in the classroom and even more time studying and doing homework after school hours. No wonder that taking a gap year between high school and college is becoming an increasingly popular decision. But did you know that universities are also actively encouraging students to take a gap year? We’ll tell you all about it, hold on tight! We will walk you through the benefits and the process… Read more

Taking a gap year in the middle of getting your degree can seem a bit daunting. You might be worried it could set you behind compared to your friends and other students. However, the benefits of taking a gap year when you need it most, far outweigh the downsides.  Let’s get into things! We will talk you through the possible gains and the process of asking your college for a deferral, before handing you some expert tips for a seamless transition as you go back to college… Read more

Gap years continue to grow in popularity as more and more young adults decide to take a break right after graduating high school or college, or even during college. A gap year is the perfect opportunity to pursue other interests, learn new skills, gain work experience, travel the world and grow as a person. Are you thinking of taking off for a semester or the full 12 months? Get inspired with these gap year ideas that can expand your horizons and change your life! 1. H… Read more

What am I going to do after high school or college? It’s the question on every school leaver's mind. Maybe some of your friends have talked about taking a gap year, and you’re wondering if you could use a break like this as well. Or you are currently weighing up the pros and cons. We have more than 20 years of experience with gap year students and these are the major benefits they keep raving to us about!   What is a gap year?A gap year is a break from study or work th… Read more

Contemplating a gap year, but just not sure?  Jenny Nathan, a Boston University Blog Contributor, recently interviewed student alumni Aniko Springsteel. See what she has to say...   Q: Did you know you wanted to take a gap year?   A: Yes, I definitely knew I wanted to travel because I’d loved doing it so much before. Because of what I was planning on studying, it also seemed like it’d be really useful to gain a more global perspective and learn as much about the worl… Read more

With all the uncertainty that’s facing us today, It’s hard to know which decision will be the right one. Now more than ever is the perfect time to consider alternative options outside of the linear path of education...because let's face it Fall 2020 isn’t going to be how we planned it.  So why not take a Gap Year? It’s an extremely rewarding option AND an option that you will never regret!   If you’re not convinced, here’s six reasons why... 1. Broaden Your Education … Read more