Destinations:Australia, Belize, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Spain, Thailand, United States, Nepal, Guatemala, Galapagos Islands
Credit Awarded:College
Program Length:Two Months, Academic Year, Semester, Quarter, Other
Start Month:February, March, June, July, August, September, October
Our summer, semester, and gap year programs are grounded in the philosophy of experiential education, where learning is facilitated and hands-on. Our programs are overland journeys, blending cultural immersion, personal and leadership development, volunteer and community service projects, experiential education, wilderness exploration and optional transferable academic credit.
Who do you want to be in the world? What does it mean to be a responsible global citizen? How do you want to create change? If these questions call to you, join us for an overland journey combining authentic immersion, meaningful service, and wilderness adventure. Our programs foster empathy for other cultures, ethical and sustainable travel practices, and awareness of international issues. Students leave with a deepened sense of their identity, passion, and purpose.
Our programs are a 10-week journey with an optional 3-week independent extension to apply newly developed independent travel skills. Semester programs are offered both Fall and Spring and can be taken consecutively for an in-depth and transformative gap year experience. Optional academic credit options are available.
Program Locations: Australasia (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji); Central America (Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico); Himalayas (Nepal); South America (Peru, Ecuador, Galapagos Islands); Southeast Asia (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia), and Hawaii.
Today, Pacific Discovery runs 25+ programs annually. We continue to be a small and personal organization that strives to offer authentic, inspiring and pivotal experiences. As an organisation, we remain passionately and personally involved in all aspects of the program, from answering phone and email enquiries, to researching, developing and evaluating programs. We even manage to get out and lead programs from time to time. This means you have a very personalized experience and can trust that we are always focused on providing you with an inspiring and safe journey with Pacific Discovery.
Reviews (4)
Amazing Gap Year Experience
Reviewed
on Apr/05/2021 by Mtb
Coming from the UK I was nervous about travelling over 8000 miles away to travel with a group of new people. However, it has ended up being one of the most positive and exciting experiences I've had so far. The program perfectly balanced hard work and volunteering with deep cultural immersion and a ton of fun activities. Highlights have included surf camp, finding the only snow in Hawaii and snorkelling with manarays. The experience was made by the amazing group of people and leaders that I travelled with. Everyone was open and welcoming and eager to learn and experience the trip. There have been ups and downs in the group but all in all the experiences have brought us closer together. I would highly recommend
Hawaii Minimester
Reviewed
on Apr/05/2021 by Zoe
I went on their Hawaii Minimester course this year and it was one of the most unique and fun experiences of my life. Pacific Discovery are committed to having their students fully immerse themselves in the culture in a way that someone travelling independently would not have the opportunity to. Our days were action packed and we all enjoyed ourselves in activities such as surfing, lei making, hiking, snorkelling and more. I am truly thankful for the experience that Pacific Discovery has provided me.
Amazing experiential education
Reviewed
on Apr/05/2021 by Eliza
From learning the art of cutting open a coconut, a proper surf board stance, hiking up Coconut Creek, enjoying a private manta ray tour, or looking at the stars at the top of the volcano of Mauna Kea, I can think of dozens of magical moments these past 4 weeks that were elevated by the support and community of my fellow peers and the Pacific Discovery team. All while prioritizing safety, Pacific Discovery has given my group a rare opportunity of true cultural immersion: daily fun experiential education peppered with moments of deeply personal growth.
Amazing
Reviewed
on Aug/12/2019 by sam
I went on the NZ and Fiji program in July and it was amazing. It was super varied from snorkeling in Fiji to rafting in NZ. It was only 4 weeks long and I wish it was longer! We had a smaller group which made the trip really feel like a family and for me, made the trip even better. I learnt so much about myself and think the others on the program did too. I recommend this trip to anyone that wants to see NZ and Fiji and travel with others the same age as you, you will make lifelong friends and memory's you will never forget. I will never forget this trip.
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Recently Updated
Recently Updated
Coming from the UK I was nervous about travelling over 8000 miles away to travel with a group of new people. However, it has ended up being one of the most positive and exciting experiences I've had so far. The program perfectly balanced hard work and volunteering with deep cultural immersion and a ton of fun activities. Highlights have included surf camp, finding the only snow in Hawaii and snorkelling with manarays. The experience was made by the amazing group of people and leaders that I travelled with. Everyone was open and welcoming and eager to learn and experience the trip. There have been ups and downs in the group but all in all the experiences have brought us closer together. I would highly recommend