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Pacific Discovery: Summer, Semester & Gap Year Programs Abroad

Pacific Discovery offers extraordinary international learning adventures. Our summer, semester and gap year programs abroad combine cultural immersion, volunteer and service learning projects in conservation and community development, sustainable adventure travel, personal and leadership development, and lots of fun! Join us on a life-changing adventure!

4-week international summer programs, June, July, August, in:
- Australia
- New Zealand & Fiji
- Thailand
- Peru
- Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands.

10-week international gap year and semester programs, Spring and Fall in:
- New Zealand & Australia
- Southeast Asia: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia
- The Himalayas: Nepal & Tibet
- South America: Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
- Central America: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua & Costa Rica

Our educational travel programs are suitable for high school graduates, gap year students, college students and graduates, 17-24 years.

Pacific Discovery is an educational travel organization accredited with American Gap Association. Since 2001, Pacific Discovery has taken over 2500 students on programs.

Our programs blend cultural immersion, personal and leadership development, volunteer and community service learning projects, a sustainability focus, and optional transferable academic credit.

If you are looking for an experience that challenges you, broadens your horizons and merges cultural insights and environmental sensitivity with fun and adventure - come and explore with us!

"Being with this group of people in these amazing countries has opened my eyes to the world. My perspective has broadened, my heart has opened, and my limits have been tested. I will never forget this experience!" Laura Gipson

"I can never thank you enough for the New Zealand Australia and Southeast Asia programs. They are two experiences that have profoundly affected me in so many ways and I will never forget them. So many moments of laughter, beauty, amazement and intense emotion that run straight to the core of one's being." Travis Allen

"The Pacific Discovery expedition was extremely well organized from beginning to end. I never felt like I didn't know what our daughter was doing even though she was half-way around the world. It provided a well-balanced program between community outreach, travel, exploration and the opportunity to try things that she will never forget. From learning to surf to community service, her experiences were both broad and deep which have resulted in her having more confidence in her decision making and greater self-esteem. The program leader was fantastic and was able to galvanize the group into a close-knit bunch which I believe is an accomplishment in itself. Already, Nikki is planning on travelling with some of her friends this spring. I felt it was an excellent investment in my daughter and only wish a program existed for the parents." Terry Holzman, father of Nikki

Inspiring educational travel programs to the most amazing places on earth - join us for a life-chaning adventure!

Requirements

Duration
  • 2 weeks - 1 month
  • 1-3 months
Minimum age
17
Maximum age
24
Age notes
If 17, must have graduated from high school.
Student status required
No
Qualifications required
  • High school or equivalent
Languages
Language notes
Some level of Spanish is helpful for programs in Latin America, but not essential.
Application process
Rolling admissions process. Please check availability via our website

Pricing

Price range
  • >$5000
Price includes
  • Accommodation
  • Airfare
  • Airport pick-up
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transport
  • Insurance
  • Language classes
  • Meals
  • Orientation
  • Tutoring

Organization details

Pacific Discovery offers experiential gap year semester and summer programs abroad to some of the most amazing places on earth. Our programs are deliberate overland journeys, blending authentic immersion in diverse cultures, meaningful service-learning projects, rewarding adventures, wilderness e...

About

Travel with purpose; travel for good. Articles, resources and events for ethical and meaningful travel, volunteering, working and studying abroad.

Verge believes in travel for change. International experience creates global citizens, who can change our planet for the better. This belief is at the core of everything we do.