Hear what our students have to say about our programs
The Australia and New Zealand semester was the most amazing trip I’ve ever been on! From the beautiful beaches of AUS to the stunning southern alps of New Zealand, every single activity and view on this trip was amazing. There is nowhere I would rather have spent the last 70 days, and no group I would rather have been with!
William Bergland
New Zealand & Australia Gap Semester 2024
This was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done in my entire life. I would say with confidence that I had learned more during this 10 week program than I have in the two years of college that I have already attended.
Cheyne Lenhard
Polynesian Journey Gap Semester 2024
Pacific Discovery gave me one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. The 10-week gap year program was a perfect mix of adventure, learning, and personal growth. The staff were very knowledgeable, and always there to encourage us. I left with lifelong friends and memories, plus a newfound appreciation for nature and different cultures. If you're looking for a meaningful, eye opening adventure, I can't recommend Pacific Discovery enough!
Ander Sanchez
I was nervous about the decision to take a gap year. Pacific Discovery facilitated a life changing experience that not only made me a better person but connected me with life long friends. I’ll recommend this program to anyone who will listen.
Callum Buchanan
South America Gap Semester 2024
I was really nervous before coming on program about how I was going to make friends and what the people would be like and it was everything I’d hope for the people were amazing and my instructors made sure everything was perfect this trip truly changed me and I am so grateful I went no matter how scary it seemed at first.
Madison Hickman
Australia Mini Semester 2024
Polynesian Journey has helped me get over a lot of my fears and anxiety around social interaction and relationships as well as my physical fears and it has really helped me to grow as a person.
Liam Ott
I went on the polynesian gap year journey not knowing exactly what to expect. I remember a day before it hit me that i would be spending 10 weeks with complete strangers. However, these were some of the best people I have met and best friends for life. There were many experiences that one would unlikely ever experience without doing a programme as such and i therefore highly recommend it. Many people were put out of their comfort zones and had to take risks which caused them to growth as an individual.
Jolina Böttcher
Best instructors ever! Such a packed and exciting schedule every day.
Alec Topouzis
This was such an amazing program, I learned so much and gained so much experience!
Jacelyn Bowman
I really enjoyed the NZA Pacific Discovery program! It’s a good mix of city exploring and nature wandering.
Sadie Feldman
I had an amazing time with amazing people on the Australia New Zealand Gap semester! It was an incredible program that showed us how to live and travel more sustainably, make the most of our time with every experience, and learn from others we meet along the way! I definitely recommend this program!!
Noa Heinrich
I am so lucky that I chose Pacific Discovery, they created an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. They made it easy to make new friends and easy to try new things safely. I am so grateful I got to go on this once in a life time opportunity and adventure.
Benjamin Stevenson
Thailand Mini Semester 2024
Pacific Discovery is a very educational but also adventurous program where students learn about culture, group dynamics and more about themselves.
Cédric Houben
My Pacific Discovery trip was absolutely a life-changing experience. I not only had an excellent time and made 13 new best friends, but also gained perspective that changed the way I look at the world. Meeting people from local communities and learning about their way of life has inspired me to think differently about my own life and about those I meet. Coming home from this trip, I am more thoughtful, inquisitive, independent, and mature and will be much better prepared to handle what the future brings.
Emily Bosworth
Polynesian Journey Gap Semester
I don’t think many people will ever be able to explore Hawaii the way we did. We went to the most beautiful and magical places I have ever seen and lived so much in just four weeks. I can’t recommend this program enough. If you just want to travel around with a group of best friends and explore a new culture and do crazy activities, I promise you won’t regret signing up.
Catarina Reis Messa
Hawaii College Summer Program 2024
This program was a blast. It was an adventure of a lifetime and’s filled with magical moments. I made so many amazing connections with the other students and locals!
Alessandra Dodson
Australia College Summer Program 2024
I had an incredible life changing time on this trip, so much so that I now know for a 100% fact that I HAVE to come back to Australia because of how much I fell in love with this country and this trip! I think that this trip is a phenomenal way, particularly for younger travellers, to be able to experience life abroad in a very educational, safe yet expansive way! I wish I could do this trip again and again because I genuinely don’t think it would ever run out of surprises and fun!
Melissa Burke-Manwaring
Australia College Summer Program 2023
I absolutely adored my time on the Australia / Bali semester with Pacific Discovery. It was a perfect mix of adventure, cultural immersion, service and personal development mixed in with a bit of city time. I have never grown so much as an individual as I did on this trip. I am more confident in myself and my relationships, more independent and ultimately have a better perspective on life and the world. If you’re thinking about doing a PD trip, take the risk and go for it! You won’t regret it.
Sophia Goddard
Australia and Bali Gap Semester Program 2023
If you could sum up your experience in 3 sentences, what would you write? I am more prepared to take on challenges in my life. I will always remember my time in Thailand and how much I have grown because of it. I am grateful for Pacific Discovery’s program for giving me the opportunity to learn through experience.
Dylan Ratner
Thailand College Summer Program 2023
I became more invested in nature and being outdoors. This trip has inspired me to become more aware of how I affect the planet and how I can help change my own life. This trip also helped me overcome my fears and had me try new things I ended up loving.
Jamie Herfort
New Zealand and Australia Gap Semester Program 2023
These past 10 weeks have been the best of my entire life. I never ever would have expected to have gone on this Polynesian Journey, but it was one of, if not the, best decision of my life.” I feel like I have found love for myself and appreciation for the world around me and have been able to see so much more than what I am used to in my bubble back home. I have met so many amazing people. I have met forever friends and genuinely could not have wished for a better experience. I would recommend Pacific Discovery to absolutely everything. If you are trying to find yourself and going to school isn’t what is right for you right now, take this leap of faith. You deserve it and trust me it is worth it.
Sadie Goldman
Polynesian Journey Gap Semester 2023
My experience on this trip changed my life. I’ve become much more confident, happy opening up to people, and have gotten better at dealing with change & struggles in my life. This trip ended up being much more fun than I could have thought, due to the incredible activities and experiences we had, but in my opinion, mostly because of the relationships I formed with my fellow students and my instructors!
Jason Link
South America Gap Semester Program 2022
I feel that I am able to appreciate culture and nature so much more now. This trip made me so much more comfortable making friends and truly being myself. I feel as if I have grown in so many ways from this trip and gained so many connections and experiences. I am way more confident now. Follow the breadcrumbs of life. Never say no to an experience. Don’t be too quick to judge people.
James Campbell
Hawaii Gap Semester Program 2022
I feel like I grew as a person throughout the whole journey. I made amazing friends that allowed me to be my full authentic self. I felt pure happiness throughout the program because I could see myself growing as a person.” I feel more cultured, and confident in my Spanish abilities as well. I gained more travel skills and my ability to navigate new places. Now, I feel more confident traveling to different countries and enduring adventures on my own. Overall, it was a great experience!
Payton Elsaden
The Galapagos Islands High School Summer Program 2022
An amazing journey that fully immerses you into the culture and off the grid for an epic experience of adventure, friends, and learning both about the world and yourself. You get afforded the time to just live and be a human. Freedom to explore the world and yourself in a supportive, loving group. It will change your life.
Maddie Jo Robbins
Costa Rica Mini Semester 2023
MORE
Click Here
Learn More
