Hawaii, Fiji, and New Zealand Gap Semester | Pacific Discovery
Location
Multiple Locations +3
- United States of America
- Hawaii
- Fiji
- New Zealand
- Auckland
- Queenstown
- Wellington
- Rotorua
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety
Jan 20, 2025
Jan 16, 2025
19 travelers are looking at this program
About Program
Embark on an epic adventure following the path Polynesian voyagers took on Pacific Discovery's Gap Semester program! This 10-week journey will immerse you in the natural beauty and rich cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, and New Zealand. Kayak through crystal-clear waters, learn to surf world-class waves, volunteer with local communities, and discover the deep-rooted traditions of Polynesia.
This program is designed for young travellers (17-22) seeking an unforgettable experience that will challenge them, broaden their horizons, and foster a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Imagine paddling through the turquoise waters of Hawaii, volunteering in a Fijian village, and learning about Maori culture in New Zealand. This is an opportunity to connect with nature, immerse yourself in different cultures, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Ready to set sail on an adventure of discovery? Reach out to learn more!
Video and Photos
Diversity & Inclusion
We understand that we have a long way to go in achieving the diversity we strive for among our students, staff, and partners. We are committed to fostering a more diverse and inclusive organization, and we recognize that this requires time, effort, and resources. At Pacific Discovery, we deeply value diversity, equity, and social justice, and we are dedicated to creating educational experiences that reflect and promote these values. Our program curriculum incorporates social justice education and encourages students to explore their own identities. To further support these efforts, we offer a 'Diverse Voices' Scholarship.
All of our Pacific Discovery programs are LGBTQIA+ friendly, and our operations team have attended CIS Abroad's LGBTQ+ Allyship Training, to ensure we’re doing what we can to support this community. We provide an open and non judgemental space for students to explore who they are at this pivotal time of their life, and in our admissions process we seek information not only on a student's gender, but their pronouns and gender identity. We’re aware of the differing cultural perspectives of LQBTQIA in the countries that we visit, and can direct students to a semester location where they’ll feel the most comfortable. Operationally we ensure that our instructors use inclusive language and can facilitate conversations with students around their identity, and discuss the rooming situations with LGBTQIA+ students.
Our programs are designed to support students with a wide range of neurodiverse conditions while following our essential eligibility criteria. For students needing extra help, we provide personalized wellness plans . These plans include coping strategies, care protocols, and specific requirements to help them engage effectively in the program. Our instructors have access to mental health first aid resources and are well-prepared to offer strong support to students with these needs.
Our programs offer a variety of physical activities, including hiking, surfing, rafting, and mountain biking. We make sure to accommodate students with diverse needs such as asthma, diabetes, and chronic medical conditions, while working within the infrastructure of the host country and our program schedules. We're mindful of the varying levels of accessibility in the countries we visit and can help students choose a semester location where they feel most at ease.
Impact
Sustainability is one of the 6 core components of each Pacific Discovery program, where we educate students about the local and global environmental issues, how to travel sustainably, and have them think deeply about their impact and what they can do in their daily lives to affect change.
We recently embarked on a Net Positive Benefit project where we are qualifying what impacts our groups have on the local communities, taking into consideration carbon emissions +/- social impacts +/- conservation impacts +/- community impacts. On our programs, students engage with non-profit organisations such as Litter Intelligence, Scholars of Sustenance, Ulu Mau puanui, Llama Pack project where they directly work for a better future - planting trees, eradicating invasive weed species, helping local communities and food banks.
We recently embarked on a Net Positive Benefit project where we are qualifying what impacts our groups have on the local communities, taking into consideration carbon emissions +/- social impacts +/- conservation impacts +/- community impacts. On our programs, students engage with non-profit organisations such as Litter Intelligence, Scholars of Sustenance, Ulu Mau puanui, Llama Pack project where they directly work for a better future - planting trees, eradicating invasive weed species, helping local communities and food banks.
We make a conscious decision to partner with host communities and suppliers who are passionate about our students' participation and involvement with them being of a positive benefit to the community. We want our presence to enable positive sustainable growth for our partners and this mantra is ingrained in the fabric of our programs.
Program Highlights
- Volunteering and sustainable farming projects on a Hawaiian permaculture farm
- Cultural immersion experiences in Hawaii, Fiji, and New Zealand
- Explore the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, New Zealand
- Snorkel and kayak in the pristine waters of Fiji
- Conservation project alongside park rangers at Tawharanui Regional Park
