What stood out to me about PD was that they really are committed to helping you internally. I signed up to this looking for cool experiences rooted in exploration and I got that along with so many more valuable things from core sessions, my group and my amazing amazing instructors. In a new group you get to meet yourself and a bunch of new people who chose this experience for themselves just like you; that’s a bond that you never anticipated but now can’t live without. It’s an amazing feeling to feel like you’ve changed for the better and to watch members of your group do the same. I think I expected to remain cordial with the group, however being with people every second of a six week program unlocks dynamics you haven’t really experienced - positive or negative; the positive ones are the ones you want to keep forever. The things you see in exploration change you fundamentally - especially in places as spiritual as Hawaii.

I was so nervous about meeting everyone in person, I thought how was I going to connect with them, what would I say, and what if they don't like me. These thoughts plagued my mind for the first week and as time went on I learned that it's okay to be myself even if it's something I don't think other people would connect with or understand. After my trip was done I thought about all of the times I had where I got in the way of myself having a great experience and how if I could I would tell my past self that it's okay to make mistakes and that it's okay to be yourself.

The Hawaii Summer Program was my second program with Pacific Discovery (after loving the Australia Mini Semester I just simply had to sign up for another one). This trip was without a doubt one of the best experiences of my life. I got to swim and surf with dolphins and turtles in clear waters, watched more sunsets with rainbows than I could count, learned so much about the Hawaiian culture and language, and I could go on forever. I simply loved every second of it and wish I could do it all again. The memories you make on this trip will truly last a lifetime and I couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone comfortably and I promise the stories you will get to tell your grandchildren will be unmatched.

I am currently finishing the 6 week mini trip in hawaii. I have to say the only thing i really found enjoyable were the people and some of the activities. I feel PD was not very transparent about how poor the living conditions would be. we had 4 people crammed into a 2 person yurt, staying at an accommodation with about 10-15 people with 2 toilets and 1 shower. I could barely sleep due to how uncomfortable the living situations were. The packing list was also misleading, i was underprepared and overprepared. They didn’t give us any money in the budget for group snacks, and i spent hundreds on buying my own food. The 10$ a day for spending is not true. PD also didn’t tell me I would be spending 6-7$ on laundry, or getting laundry where the dryer doesn’t work or it is cold so all my clothes smelled weird and didn’t dry properly.

As an instructor I was seeking an opportunity to assist in the growth of others while additionally immersing myself in other cultural opportunities through experiential learning along side students. One thing I really look for in an organization is communication and support from headquarters. I have felt Pacific Discovery has allowed me the ability to have a major say in how we handle what happens on the ground as they value our perspective and what is best for the larger group to thrive. My experience with headquarters has been great as they have been a great support system which allows ample check in, while also providing space and trust in you.

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. Although there were instances where Pacific Discovery was not hugely supportive and though there are things I would change about the program, I am truly thankful for the experience that has been provided to me.

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.

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