Program Reviews

This ten week program was amazing and will leave a lasting difference on my life. We visited many popular locations like Machu Pichu, rainbow mountain, the amazon, and the Galapagos. Yet, we also had the amazing opportunity to go to hidden gems throughout Peru and Ecuador including living with family’s in the rural town of Agato and working with the Llama pack project in Urabamba. Our instructors were amazing and always gave constant support to all of us students whether we felt uncomfortable doing a certain activity or simply needed a friend to talk to.

Program was amazing!! Every day had a new challenge such as Inca trail to snorkeling in the Galapagos that was always fun and kept us in shape and excited! Food was so delicious and I was happy to try new Peruvian and Ecuadorian cuisine! I’m so happy to have gone on this program as without a gap year I would have been stuck inside studying and leading instead of exploring! I made so many new friends from all over the US and Amsterdam which makes me want to visit where they live and I would recommend this program to everyone who is considering a gap year!

From the jaw dropping and history filled Peruvian Andes to the lush and alive Amazon & Galapagos of Ecuador, this program has many stunning views and awesome places to walk around. On top of that, the cultural experiences from food and music to dances and traditional outfits are well layered into the program. It was a wonderful time, with a good mix of adventurous and new experiences and time to work on associated school work and having time to relax. Spanish skills are not strictly necessary, but having even beginner knowledge of simple words and phrases goes a long way and more often than not is all that is required. 10/10 would recommend!

Truly just life changing. Those are the only words that come close to capturing what this experience has meant to me, though even they feel too small for the depth of transformation I feel inside. When I look back on where I started—uncertain, curious, and maybe even a little hesitant—I can hardly recognize the person I was. Now, standing on the other side of this journey, I’m overwhelmed by how much has shifted, broadened, and awakened within me. It’s as if someone opened a window in a room I didn’t even know was dark, letting in light, perspective, and understanding I didn’t realize I was missing.

My eyes have been opened to a whole new world, and I don’t say that lightly. It’s not just that I learned something new or saw things from a different angle. It feels much deeper than that, like discovering a different layer of reality that had always existed, just outside my awareness. Every conversation, every moment of reflection, every challenge, and every breakthrough revealed something that expanded my sense of possibility. I began to see not only the world differently, but myself as well—my abilities, my hopes, my values, and the direction I want to take moving forward.

This new world isn’t defined by physical places or boundaries, but by understanding, clarity, and perspective. It’s a world where I feel more connected, more grounded, and more open than ever before. I’ve gained insights that continue to shape my thoughts long after the initial experience, and I can already tell they will keep influencing my decisions, my relationships, and the way I choose to live. There’s something incredibly powerful about that—about carrying forward lessons that don’t fade once the moment ends, but become part of who you are.

And perhaps the most remarkable part is that I leave all of this behind with absolutely zero regrets. Not a single one. Every moment, even the ones that felt challenging or uncomfortable at the time, played a role in shaping this transformation. If anything, I’m grateful for those tougher moments because they pushed me beyond what was familiar and into a space where real change could happen. I wouldn’t undo or replace any part of this journey. It all mattered. It all contributed. It all added depth, meaning, and purpose to the outcome I carry with me now.

Leaving with zero regrets also means leaving with a heart full of gratitude—gratitude for the experience itself, for the people involved, for what I discovered, and for the person I’ve become because of it. I move forward with a sense of excitement and confidence, knowing that this isn’t an ending but a beginning. The world I’ve stepped into is one I’m eager to explore, learn from, and grow within.

So yes—life changing is exactly what it has been. Transformative, eye-opening, meaningful, and unforgettable. And I wouldn’t trade a single second of it

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.

Pacific Discovery Australia/ Bali gap semester was truly one of a kind experience. From overnight hiking a volcano to diving in the Great Barrier Reef this trip was jam packed with amazing experiences. For Australia we covered over 2,000km and saw more then I ever imagined. And Bali's culture will always stick with me. We had a good balance of culture and trying new foods everywhere we went. And very fortunate to go out for every meal in Bali. But connecting with the people on this trip left a true impact on all of us. Thank you, Pacific Discovery!

I signed up for this program without any research on the program itself. Nothing could have prepared me for how amazing it was going to be. Overcoming fears, exploring a country, connecting on a deep level with total strangers, deep-diving into the different cultures of a country and helping me become the best version of myself. These are all things Pacific Discovery practice in a excellent way with their programs. It definitely was the trip of a lifetime. I’m now back at home still thinking about how unique the last 10 weeks have been. Words truly cannot describe a trip like this.

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.

This trip was amazing and I would definitely recommend it! We had a really great group of people and the experiences we got to have together were incredible. All of the nature and wildlife in Australia was awesome to see and getting exposed to a new culture in Bali was super cool. Our group also took advantage of the explore days we had and the student led portion to do skydiving and whitewater rafting which were definitely trip highlights! Overall, the mix of adventure, culture, and service work on this trip was perfect and I am so happy I went on this program!