New Zealand & Australia experience of a lifetime!

Ratings
Overall
5
Housing: 5
Support: 5
Fun: 5
Value: 5
Safety: 5
Review

Even after months to process, my Pacific Discovery experience is still difficult to put into words. I feel so privileged to have participated in the New Zealand/ Australia semester program that Scott and Rachel so brilliantly planned.

Highlights for me (although difficult to choose only a few) were learning to rock climb, sleeping under the stars multiple times, feeding and playing with eels at Nelson Lakes, staying up late to see a cavern of glow worms light up, meeting my Pacific Discovery family, volunteering at a permaculture farm in the bush, learning to surf in an amazing surf town in Australia and volunteering and exploring the amazing Mimiwhangata Coastal park.

It would be a lie to say the trip wasn't challenging, but the trials are what make Pacific Discovery so unique. On the trip I definitely pushed myself out of my comfort zone which I wouldn't have done otherwise when traveling on my own. Which was awesome. Every trial resulted in a glorious triumph and incredible learning experience. The hardest part for me was scrambling through the cave on the Kahurangi hiking trip. Being claustrophobic, I was definitely scared. Pushing through it with friends and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel was one of the most rewarding parts of the trip.

Although I considered myself an experienced traveler, I learned more I could ever dream of on the trip. I learned so much about the countries we were in, about the people of the countries, relationships with others on the team and strangers all while discovering so much about myself. Scott and Rachel are two of the most inspiring people I've ever met. They are geniuses who have a beautiful relationship with world around them and so many of the people in it. Also I wouldn't have wanted our trip to be lead by anyone other than our leader, Kim. She is so kind-hearted and has a gift for sharing her happiness and knack for adventure with everyone she meets. I always felt safe yet independent during the trip. Pacific Discovery gave me the confidence I need to continue traveling and discovering the world in a way that brings myself, those around me and the earth happiness.

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would