Blog

The Hawaii Gap Year Students (Group 3) started their adventures on the Big Island a few weeks ago, and used some hands-on risk assessment techniques on their first hikes. Read all about journey to becoming a more positive group that's confident with outdoor exploration.   Our first hike started perfectly. The trail winded down into the valley underneath a completely clear sky and overlooked an incredible view of the outskirts of the island with the scattered buildings… Read more

Charlotte Stang arrived in Phuket on our Thailand Gap Year Program, and found herself deeply inspired by the natural beauty of the land, especially the beaches. Over the course of her first week on program, she wrote two poems for Patong Beach. We can't help but be amazed by the insanely talented students we get on program! Floatby Charlotte Stang   Can you imagine a wide horizon blotted clouds painted by a child’s finger dabbled in clear whites and stormy grays. … Read more

While our blog posts are usually written by the students themselves, we just had to share this story from our Hawaii & Western US instructor Lucy McGrath that is on the ground right now. Enjoy this week's tale about Pacific Discovery's unique self-led week, which has long been ingrained in our DNA. We truly believe in the amount of learning and growth our students experience throughout our semester programs, and this week puts that to the test, in the best way possible! … Read more

Hey everyone, This is Thailand Gap Semester Group 2, checking in from Phuket. We spent our first two weeks on this island as part of the Phuket Sandbox. These first two weeks were jam-packed with a variety of fun activities. We are all having the time of our lives!! We've listed the top five most exciting things we’ve done on our journey so far for you. #1: Scuba diving!Hi, my name is Abby, and scuba diving was one of the most incredible experiences of this trip! The … Read more

Most of you don’t know who I am, my name is Alexa Northrop and I’m part of the Hawaii Semester Program. We’ve been here for about two weeks now and it’s been a wild trip! We started in Kona, where we went on a massive thigh/glute-building hike with beautiful views of the island shore where we snorkeled. We also went for coffee which was such a delightful treat in the morning before our activities, and before you ask, yes the coffee here is pretty amazing with such deep … 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

This week we have an incredible vlog from Costa Rica. The group has been busy hiking, surfing, ziplining, and helping out at an animal welfare project. Watch below to see what they got up to. Read more

  Our Summer Program in Thailand has started with a bang. They decided to get creative which we love and make a vlog for us! Have a look at all the highlights throughout their time in Thailand. We hope you enjoy the video! They also wrote down their stories and shared their unforgettable experiences with us. These weeks have seen them learn Muay Thai, attend an authentic Thai cookery class, volunteer with elephants and also scuba dive in some of the clearest water they… Read more

The Essential Hawaii Packing List by Avery Barakett (Hawaii Summer Program 2021)Whether you’re the type of person to start packing a month in advance or the night before your trip, here are the items you don’t want to forget. This list has been compiled by previous Pacific Discovery students (who wish you an amazing time in Hawaii)! 1. Sweats - Hawaii has 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones. Drifting in and out of sleep during an hour-long car ride feels like teleportati… Read more