Program Reviews

This trip was one of the most amazing in my life so far. I was forced to open my mind to new experiences and ideas. I felt so supported by my program instructors and fellow students. I met loads of people, some of which I am still very close with. I grew in many unexpected and positive ways, and my outlook on life has improved greatly. Since coming home J am filled with love, gratitude, and independence. I think taking a gap year is a spectacular idea for anyone out of high school feeling lost or confused, these worldly adventures will help guide your path!

The experiences that I had on this program made me realize that there’s so much more out there. It made me realize what life is actually about. Happiness truly starts within yourself. Life is about doing the things that make you happy. It’s about finding the things that make you excited and chasing them. I’m proud to say that I became the best version of myself on this trip. I’ve always wanted to see the world and learn all about it and this journey was the perfect balance between those two. It made me even more excited about acting up and making a change. I feel extremely lucky that I’m going home with the most magical memories and best friends I’ve ever made.

The program was a lot of fun! The instructions were great along with everyone else signed up for the program which made it a blast. The housing was almost all camping and hostels so not always the most comfortable but the group sleeps in the same room which is good fun and some uncomfort while camping is to be expected but makes it feel like a more complete experience. The locations were stunning and the activities were a lot of fun. Overall I would recommend this program to anyone! Also most mornings are pretty early but you’ll be able to turn in most nights, it’s mostly up to you to make the decision to sleep at a decent hour (I however usually did not).

A great 10 weeks! You get an all-encompassing experience of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia that most people will never come close to.
From the mountains of Thailand to the beaches of Vietnam, the itinerary brings students everywhere they could hope and more. Cultural immersion, natural beauty, fantastic food, and meaningful service all play a large part in the experience.
Pacific Discovery has fantastic leaders and encourages students to make the most of out of the experience, leading to a life-changing semester. I look back at this experience as one of my best ever decisions and would recommend it to anyone.

Pacific Discovery does a great job choosing where and with whom you work on the Southeast Asia gap semester. They choose ethical and sustainable organizations and practices while you travel and they teach you how to identify good ones on your own. My instructors, Grace and Manuel, were very capable and knowledgeable. They were a reliable resource for concerns or questions that came up. Additionally they added a personal touch as mentors and leaders making me feel safe and giving me a positive environment to learn and grow in. The program is incredible and you will get outside your comfort zones and grow as an individual learning to live and travel with a small group. Overall, I recommend this program to anyone looking to explore and learn about the rich cultures of the areas.

Basically, it takes some getting used to but never unbearable. I was challenged in ways I didn't expect but learned a lot about myself and SE Asia. The places, people, and experiences make all the difficulties worth it tho.

Don't expect 5 stars hotels with super nice amenities. A few of the more rural areas don't have hot water, great insulation, nice bathrooms, wifi, etc, but never straight up camping. Most places are 2-3 star hotels in small cities, with wifi, ac/heating, hot water, other hotel things.

It does get tiring to live out of a backpack and be traveling to different places every few days. And traveling with the same group of people for 10 weeks can be hard. But remember that everyone else is literally going through the same. Be understanding and respect other's comfortability and they'll do the same for you!

SE Asia is also super hot and humid, be ready to be sweaty 24/7.

All in all, there'll be really awesome good days and some pretty hard bad days. The unforgettable sites, super nice people, unique experience makes it absolutely worth it.

I was able to experience an entirely nee part of the world I had never been to before. I was shown this part by a resident of the country as well as someone else that knew the area well! We were also able to connect with locals in multiple regions and learn plenty about the wildlife and plantlife in almost every area we stayed in. You are provided with the opportunity to pursue service work which I would highly recommend as it is a great way to learn more about native and invasive plant life and what you can do to help protect this and even your own living area with just a little bit of research and knowledge.

I signed up to go on this program when I was 18 years old, but due to covid and the long lasting effects of the pandemic in AUZ, my trip was postponed until 2023 when I turned 22 and graduated college. I was a bit nervous about being the oldest on the trip by quite a large margin, but it didn’t affect my ability to enjoy this trip in the least! I had an incredible life changing time on this trip, so much so that I now know for a 100% fact that I HAVE to come back to Australia because of how much I fell in love with this country and this trip! I think that this trip is a phenomenal way, particularly for younger travelers, to be able to experience life abroad in a very educational, safe yet expansive way! I wish I could do this trip again and again because I genuinely don’t think it would ever run out of surprises and fun!

This was a once in a lifetime experience that I will forever value. I met the greatest people, some of which who will remain close friends for the rest of my life. I got to throw myself into a culture to a level I wouldn't have been able to reach on my own that I am forever grateful for. The different cities, towns and villages that I was able to see during this trip was amazing. There was a combination between urban and rural places so that was super cool to see the contrast. The nature scenes were insane and something that I am so happy I got to see in my life, especially at such a young age.

I grew up in New York City surrounded by bright lights and skyscrapers. I found myself longing for nature. I wanted something new: I wanted to immerse myself in a new way of life. I was drawn to Australia’s unique culture and breathtaking landscapes. I decided to sign up for Pacific Discovery’s summer program in Australia. I was really nervous before my trip because I had little experience hiking and camping. Looking back on my experience, I had nothing to worry about. I was welcomed with open arms and nothing but positive smiles. My group traveled up the coast of Australia, starting in Sydney and ending in Cairns. My favorite memories include surfing in Crescent Head and skydiving over the Great Barrier Reef. My group worked alongside National Parks staff in endangered landscapes. We participated in bush regeneration projects and numerous beach cleanups. We also learned about Australia’s unique environmental and ecological history, emphasizing the lasting presence and influence of aboriginal people. The trip would not have been the same without our amazing group leader, Tari Kumari. She is a constant source of positive energy. She pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me grow to become the individual I am today. I could not have asked for a more perfect mentor. Her enthusiasm, selflessness, and kind heart are inspiring. When I grow up, I hope to be like Tari. I can truly say that I came back from Australia as a more open-minded and open-hearted individual. The trip gave me a positive outlook on life that I carry with me every day. I long for adventure and more experiences like the one that Pacific Discovery gave me. Thank you for everything Tari and Pacific Discovery. I highly recommend this trip!