Program Reviews

As an instructor, I had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of this program firsthand. The program balances challenge and adventure with beauty and culture in a way that creates an ideal environment for personal growth.

Peru, Ecuador, and the Galápagos each have something special and unique to offer. Students in this program will surely face adversity and learn experiential lessons on responsibility, accountability, and communication. Meanwhile, students are sure to gain experiences that will lead to core memories, such as paragliding in the mountains of Ecuador or snorkeling with hammerhead sharks. Pacific Discovery programs have consistently ranked among the most successful programs I’ve been able to instruct. If you’re a prospective student, you may rest assured that your desired outcomes will be met in this program.

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!

The Polynesian Journey gap semester was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned so much about myself as a person, and I learned important life skills, all while going on amazing adventures. The volunteering was great I learned so much and got great value from it. The culture immersion was amazing and I loved being with locals and learning the customs and history. I met some of the coolest people on my program that I love so much! I couldn’t recommend this program any more, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

This trip was an extremely unique experience that shifted my perception on life. During the three-month trip, I got to experience the culture in different countries and towns that at first felt inexplicably foreign to me. I got to share these amazing learnings with new friends, with whom I got increasingly closer over the duration of my time there. I saw and learnt about the vast history of what was once the Inca Empire, also immersing myself in many different micro-experiences in which people that I’d met for maybe only minutes would add to my growing knowledge of the area I was in.

I think my fondest memory there was a home-stay in Ecuador, where I ended up staying with a big family of five, one of whom was a guitarist in a mariachi band. Being a guitar player myself, I was more than excited. We ended up living together for two weeks, sometimes having trouble communicating since the amount of Spanish I spoke was only to the extent that I’d gotten to learn during my travels (which to my surprise, was better than I had expected it to be). By the end of our time, we had a small performance. We sang a song in Turkish—my native language - Quichua, and Spanish - the native languages there. The bond that we’d created felt so intrinsically human, and playing these songs together felt absolutely magical.

That feeling of magic lingered on while watching shooting stars at the top of Lake Titicaca high up in the mountains and diving alongside hammerhead sharks, turtles, and seals in the Galapagos. In Peru, we got to hike up to Machu Picchu, which took us around 5 days. Walking this trail that so many had walked before me was an intense feeling that made me reflect deeply - especially during the nights that were the clearest I’d ever seen.

All in all, I think this was an amazing journey. The only thing I would have liked to be different would have been a bit more time to myself, where I could stroll alone and have the opportunity to discover on my own. I think curfews were a bit early, and I didn’t get to spend much time with my friends either, where we had free time to do what we wanted or didn’t have supervision with us. Although that is an aspect I understood and, in retrospect, think was really crucial for the safety of students.

I know that Pacific Discovery offers many different programs but the one I went on to Peru and Ecuador encompasses everything that a program could ever try to be. 70 days is a lot. And it is an experience you can only really do once. It’s essentially separation from your life at home, while getting your feet on the ground somewhere else. Hiking, climbing, rafting, canyoning, biking, snorkeling, and everything you could ever try to do physically. While learning Spanish, culture, volunteering, eating, and dancing. While building lifelong relationships with those around you, with guidance and support to better yourself. This trip did not only allow me to visit the beautiful world in the best way possible. But it also let me spiritually learn about myself more than ever before. Best decision of my life

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.

In this program you’ll explore the Pacific islands from the mountain tops to the sandy beaches. You’ll discover some of the most unique wildlife and ecosystems found in the world, while you absorb the colorful culture of the Native Hawaiians, Fijians, and Māori peoples. You will get the chance to go bungee jumping, white water rafting, and skydiving, all while gaining a greater appreciation and understanding of yourself, your emotions and how you fit into the world around you. This program was part of me becoming who I am now and I couldn’t be happier that I picked PD to do it with.

Taking part in the Pacific Discovery Summer trip in Thailand was one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed, inspired, and supported by the group and leaders, even though I'm naturally a pretty shy person. The program turned out to be more than a trip. It provided an opportunity for personal growth while learning to be more than just a tourist, but a traveler. From exploring the night markets of Bangkok to being face-to-face with elephants, to sharing unique meals with your group every day, you'll make memories for a lifetime. If you're looking for a program that combines adventure with purpose, travel with growth, and fun with meaning, I highly recommend Pacific Discovery's Thailand program.

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!