Im very glad to have chosen this experience for the fall of my gap year. I traveled with some very cool people all similar to me and always fun to be around I’ll keep in touch with these guys forever. Thanks to pacific discovery I was able to travel to the other side of the world safely and for quite a long time. I never thought id be camping in the mountains of New Zealand but it’s one of the highlights of my life for sure definitely pushed my boundaries at times but well worth it. Overall from surfing in Australia to completing some of the most challenging hikes in New Zealand this trip was one of the best parts of my life and I definitely recommend for nature lovers and travelers.

Everybody was awesome and the instructors were great. I had so much fun with all the people would definitely recover. To start off the activities that we did were great. The guides and the people we met were always very respectful and knowledgeable. Next, the people on the program were very welcoming and we had a lot of fun together. From the minute I met my group I knew it would be great. The instructors were always around to help if we needed it and both seemed up for anything. Overall 10/10 program!

I genuinely loved every moment of this 10-week program. The instructors were not only incredibly knowledgeable but also endlessly supportive. They made every day engaging and inspiring. Over the course of the program, I learned so much about the outdoors and had the chance to try activities such as rock climbing, mountain biking, rafting, and of course hiking. By the end, I felt so connected to the people, the place, and the experience that I honestly didn’t want to leave or head back home. It was one of those rare experiences that changes you in all the best ways.

I learned that I can do so much more than I ever thought. I learned big things like how to leap off cliffs and planes, crawl through canyons, stand up on a surf board, hike the steepest of mountains, and survive cold nights in the tent. And then there’s the all the little things I learned, too. Arguably, they’re just as cool. I now know how to budget for groceries, bake pumpkin bread out of a raw pumpkin, chop wood, start a fire without a lighter, turn leftover oatmeal into cake, plant baby trees, spot kiwi at night, cook a good chicken parm, and so much more. 
I now know how to grow, how to adapt, how to laugh, how to struggle, and keep going no matter what. This program also 
allowed me to meet people who changed me and helped me grow so much.

I did this program back in 2014 and remember it incredibly fondly. Our leader, Kim, was amazing. I can’t imagine how stressful and tough of a job it is to lug 13 teenagers from around the states through Australia and New Zealand but she made it look easy while creating group cohesion, an atmosphere for learning and curiosity, and helped build bridges between us and local people so we truest felt emerged in the places we visited. There was a great balance between service projects and adventure (canoe trips, rafting, abseiling, trekking, etc.). The projects were rewarding as they were challenging but doable. The adventures were fantastic and also challenging but need confidence in the group and our ability to function in wild areas safely and effectively. Our group dynamic was one of the best I’ve had to this day. We almost all got very close and I would consider almost all of the participants good friends to this day. I 10/10 recommend this trip to anyone considering it!

Joining the Pacific Discovery trip to Australia and New Zealand was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Every day brought something new, and the experiences were amazing. There was a great balance between adventure and personal growth. The places we visited were incredible, and I left with a deeper sense of self and a whole new group of friends. The instructors are also very knowledgeable, supportive, and funny. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something meaningful, fun, and a little outside the ordinary.

Participating in PD was one of the most formative experiences of my gap year. It was the perfect introduction to essential travel skills—like getting comfortable staying in hostels, managing a budget, packing light, and finding meaningful and fun activities in new places. Over the course of the semester, I not only became a more confident traveler, but also a more confident person.

The program created a supportive and adventurous environment where I was consistently encouraged to step outside my comfort zone. My trip leaders played a huge role in this—pushing me while always being there with support and guidance. Through this process, I developed a stronger sense of who I am and what I value. Additionally, I met some truly incredible people who I still keep in touch with today. These connections made the experience even richer and more meaningful.

By the end of the semester I returned to New Zealand on my own for two more months, and later went on a road trip across the US. I credit PD with giving me the confidence and skills to take on both of these feats at such a young age.

Ten years have passed and I still talk about the gap year program with PD! I am still reflecting on my experience, and realizing how impactful it was on 18 year old me. I am 29 now, and travel has become a pillar in my life. PD helped me with my confidence, my self esteem, and grew my passion for travel. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and was encouraged to challenge myself. I had incredible leaders who helped everyone grow and learn from the experiences we participated in. It was really special to be with a group for so long and we all got close. The activities were not so packed it was overwhelming, there was a great balance! There were so many fun adventure activities, from repelling, rock climbing and surfing to name a few. It was such a well rounded and thoughtful program! I would recommend them to anyone looking for a gap year program!