Pacific Discovery is a global leader in experiential education, offering transformative gap year and summer programs abroad since 2001. Programs are overland journeys combining authentic immersion, meaningful service, wilderness adventure. Students leave with a deepened sense oftheir identity, passion, and purpose.
2 to 6 week international summer group travel programs, June, July, August, in:
- Thailand
- Costa Rica
- Hawaii
- New Zealand & Fiji
- Australia
- Bali
- Ecuador & Galapagos Islands
- Thailand
10-week international group travel gap year and semester programs, January - March (Spring) and September - November (Fall) in:
- New Zealand & Australia
- Southeast Asia: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia
- The Himalayas: Nepal & Tibet
- South America: Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
- Central America: Mexico, Guatemala & Costa Rica
- Hawaii and Western USA
Our educational travel programs are suitable for high school graduates, gap year students, college students and graduates, ideally 17-22 years.
We also have 2 to 3 week Mid Teen Summer Programs going that are ideally suited to 14-17 year old. They go to:
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Hawaii
- Costa Rica
- Galapagos Islands
- Thailand
- Fiji and Vanuatu
Pacific Discovery is an educational travel organization accredited with American Gap Association (USA), Year Out Group (UK), and OutdoorsMark (NZ). Since 2001, Pacific Discovery has taken over 2000 students, graduates, faculty, and special interest groups, on experiential travel and service-learning programs, utilizing a staff of experienced and qualified program instructors.
We have an excellent safety record, comprehensive Risk Management Systems and a database of alumni, parents, advisors and faculty, who are happy to be contacted for feedback. The program carries public liability insurance, and participant payments are held in bank trust until disbursement.
Our Mission: Through meaningful and challenging international experiential travel, we assist participants in gaining the skills, confidence and insight to realize their potential in an increasingly global society; develop empathy for other cultures; further understanding of international issues; and heighten appreciation for the earth's wilderness and diversity.
Our programs blend cultural immersion, personal and leadership development, volunteer and community service learning projects, eco-tourism and sustainability focus, and optional transferable academic credit.
For an incredible summer experience, you can combine two summer programs for an inspirational educational travel experience. We offer summer programs in: Australia, New Zealand & Fiji, Thailand, Ecuador & Galapgaos, Hawaii, Costa Rica and Bali.
Each of our programs has a strong experiential education focus, comprising hands-on volunteer work and service-learning, opportunities for meaningful connections with local people, pushing personal boundaries, and gaining knowledge of a country or region's history, societies and environments, facilitated by our knowledgeable program leaders. If you are looking for an experience that challenges you, broadens your horizons and merges cultural insights and environmental sensitivity with fun and adventure - come and explore with us!
Each program is designed around six program components:
- educational focus
- service learning
- cultural immersion
- sustainable travel
- outdoors and wilderness exploration
- personal and leadership development
By giving participants responsibilities and freedom within the framework and safety of a well-designed and carefully managed program, participants are empowered, helping them become more capable and self-reliant. These programs are pivotal experiences in our participants lives.
The option to combine one of our programs with transferable academic credit gives you an unbeatable study abroad or gap year travel experience.
"Being with this group of people in these amazing countries has opened my eyes to the world. My perspective has broadened, my heart has opened, and my limits have been tested. I will never forget this experience!" Laura Gipson
"I can never thank you enough for the New Zealand Australia and Southeast Asia programs. They are two experiences that have profoundly affected me in so many ways and I will never forget them. So many moments of laughter, beauty, amazement and intense emotion that run straight to the core of one's being." Travis Allen
"The Pacific Discovery expedition was extremely well organized from beginning to end. I never felt like I didn't know what our daughter was doing even though she was half-way around the world. It provided a well-balanced program between community outreach, travel, exploration and the opportunity to try things that she will never forget. From learning to surf to community service, her experiences were both broad and deep which have resulted in her having more confidence in her decision making and greater self-esteem. The program leader was fantastic and was able to galvanize the group into a close-knit bunch which I believe is an accomplishment in itself. Already, Nikki is planning on travelling with some of her friends this spring. I felt it was an excellent investment in my daughter and only wish a program existed for the parents." Terry Holzman, father of Nikki
Recently Updated
Recently Updated
