Program Reviews

Day to day was different based on different parts of the country we were in but we always had upbeat and energetic staff that encouraged and participated in exciting activities. I loved my time in Nepal and Tibet with Pacific Discovery!

This program was an excellent opportunity for me to branch out and relax. After I graduated high school, I was planning on starting college early in the summer. However, my parents offered to pay for the flights for a summer adventure and I needed to take a break from academics. This program was one of the best ways I've ever spent my summer because it exciting, fun, and a learning experience.

The program timing was excellent because we got the opportunity to stay at the beautiful parks for a week and a few days in the cities, but still stopped by some great tourist sites along the way (Hobbiton being my favorite). I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to travel, but is nervous about all the planning and language barriers. The staff are welcoming and it requires very little planning on your part.

I participated in Pacific Discovery's maiden Tibet/Nepal trip.
The Crew themselves at Pacific Discovery are HUGELY experienced, capable and patient of any and all problems that can arise when you travel beyond the edge of your comfort zone.
The trip was pretty great, educational and as fulfilling an experience as I'd hoped it would be, for myself and the crew at Pacific Discovery as well. There were some hiccups, (everyone on the trip had a little trouble acclimating to the local cuisine, and we had to deal with the 'delightful' bureaucracy of the Tibetan [Chinese] Government at one point) but ironing out kinks is something I know the Pacific Discovery folks to be good at.
10/10 would do again.

I can't say enough good things when it comes to Pacific Discovery. Now that I've gone through the whole process of looking into the program, signing up, getting ready, traveling through Nepal and Tibet!!! and coming home.. it is so hard to imagine any other way to see an area of our world. They were extremely helpful, knowledgable, personable throughout the process- there for you at any time, wanting nothing but the best experience for their participants. I take so much satisfaction in the knowledge I gained as a traveler, and about the countries I saw. I can honestly say that I KNOW Nepal, not that I saw it as a tourist, but that I experienced all that it has to offer as if a Nepali myself. The experiences we had on this trip would be impossible for someone to have without Pacific Discovery's planning, and connections to people in the area. Every day felt like a dream; I will forever remember my trip as one the best decisions I've made in my entire life, and am thankful beyond words that Rachel and Scott have created Pacific Discovery and continue to offer these life-changing opportunities.

Save yourself from a boring summer. Instead spend a month visiting unbelievable places with unbelievable people. Not only do you get to go see cool places but you get to see them in the way they're ment to. The group leader knew the country like the back of his hand and did an outstanding job of sharing everything the country had too offer and made it incredibly easy to have fun. It doesn't matter what kind of person you are everyone is easy to get along with. In fact it's almost impossible not to have fun. Because everyone around you; they're looking to have fun too. Bringing the phrase "good vibes" to a whole new level.

At the beginning of my Pacific Discovery trip, I was a little nervous. Of course, I didn't know any of the people I would spend the next 2 months with. This made for a difficult first could of days. After this passed, Pacific Discovery became one of the funnest and most rewarding things I have every done in my life. A challenge for me in particular was The Crossing, an organic farm we volunteered at on our second week in Australia. It was hard because ALL of the food we ate was extremely healthy. Now, I had never eaten like that before (especially not for a whole week) but after the first couple of days I started to really enjoy the food. The taste and the energy it gave me. This set me up for a great 2 months of healthy eating--which I enjoyed very much. The leader of my trip, Kim, was outstanding. She had so much life experience and knew how to handle any situation, we all learned a lot of valuable travel skills from her. My plans for life are to travel the world and live how we did on Pacific Discovery--happy, healthy, and in the moment.

The Southeast Asia semester program was an integral part of my gap year experience, fostering self exploration, discovery and empowerment through time spent within four uniquely beautiful countries. The perfect balance of service work, adventure and cultural immersion, the Southeast Asia semester program encouraged me to practice ethical and responsible travel and provided me with the opportunity to take part in activities that would have proved difficult to pursue traveling alone. The Pacific Discovery programs are affordable, lead by knowledgeable, experienced and enthusiastic individuals, and filled with a variety of enjoyable and unique experiences. I definitely recommend any of the Pacific Discovery programs.

Being in a small group of 14 people was great as we built strong relationship with each other, especially thanks to the amazing activities we did. For example, we camped a week on North Keppel Island and worked for a conservation environnement learning program. The very natural and conserved environnement that we were in created a unique atmosphere.

Something unforgettable that happened on this island was when we decided to wake up at 5am to hike the little mountain to watch the sun rise. The thing that has marked me was that we decided to not talk until we would see the sun rise. So we did all the walk in silence, just our headlamp on our forehead, pointing at a few wild animals that appeared in our field of lights. Upon our arrival at the top, we sat down on the fresh grass facing the sea. The view was incredible. Still surrounded by the sound of nature's silence, as soon as the sun started to show up, without consulting each other, we all shouted ! This shout that came from our hearts was the expression of this moment of happiness.

I believe that this little story is the best example I could give of my day to day experience as it points out the amazing and very special energy that surrounded all of us during this trip from the start to the end.

This trip was amazing; I met so many incredible and fun people, spent a week at an Elephant Sanctuary, took an authentic cooking class, went on a rock-climbing weekend trip, explored many temples, and we all spent the last week of the trip at a couple gorgeous beaches. The other participants in the program were awesome and very friendly, and our trip leader, Rebecca, was so welcoming and helpful. I highly recommend this trip!!

I have always wanted to go to New Zealand, and I am so glad I went there with Pacific Discovery. I was nervous about not knowing anyone and I had never been out of the country before. However, once I got on the plane with my group and we landed in New Zealand that didn't matter anymore. All of a sudden I was surrounded by people where just like me. We all came from different backgrounds and experiences, but we also had a lot in common. From day 1 the PD staff brought us together and made us a family. Regardless of hardships we always came through.

That was the best part about this trip. Every experience from planting trees, to Maori cultural experiences, to snorkeling in Fiji we all shared it together. This trip was the time of my life. I got to live my dream and make a difference while doing it. If I had one recommendation to give anyone who wants to do something like this it would be "Just go." I'll never forget the people I met on this trip or the amazing adventures we had.