Participants in GLA come from all over the world, including North America, South America, Asia, Middle East, Europe, and Africa. To see a complete list of countries and schools represented in past programs, click here. However, because high school students studying abroad are much more common in the US and the UK, there are a greater percentage of students from these regions on the program. GLA is constantly looking for ways to extend our reach to other regions of the world, especially continental Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
GLA seeks curious and energetic students from around the world, who are eager to do community service, interact with people from different backgrounds, and learn about other cultures, histories and languages. Any student, 15-18 years old and currently enrolled in high school, including freshman and graduating seniors, is eligible for admission.
The GLA Experience is fun, meaningful and unforgettable, but it is not a party trip. Each GLA program has plenty of free time and recreational activities built in, but our focus is to develop leadership capabilities and values through an integrated cultural experience.
English is the primary language spoken on all GLA programs. However, we welcome any student with the ability to comprehend English articles and converse in basic English to join. In fact, many students worldwide use the experience as an opportunity to practice their language skills. Because we value and respect every culture, we encourage students to share their native language and culture with the GLA family throughout the program. For some destinations, learning the local language is an integral part The GLA Experience.
Our seminars have been designed with the understanding that even the most enthusiastic of students should enjoy their time off from school. Seminars are all discussion-based, therefore you do not necessarily have homework and there are definitely no exams. However, you will read country specific articles and excerpts from books in order to provide you with historical or cultural context and enable you to participate in thoughtful discussions. In essence, the readings are enjoyable because they help you better understand the country and make the exploration process more meaningful.
It's not a problem - we do not expect students to have any prior knowledge on any of the subjects. This is why we provide the readings. These seminars are intended to be enjoyable educational experiences that contribute significantly to the students' personal enrichment. They are non-competitive, do not include grades, and designed to challenge students intellectually in nontraditional ways.
Students' ability to get academic credit varies from school to school. In instances where students can receive credit, GLA will attempt to work with the student in meeting his/her necessary requirements. However, due to the nature of GLA programming, it is not always possible.
Since many schools require their students to complete a prescribed number of community service hours before graduating, GLA will provide documentation on all volunteer hours completed.
We try to accommodate our students' dietary needs, such as providing vegetarian, no pork, no fish options, and are sensitive to the importance of retaining a vegetarian, Kosher or Halal diets. However, some needs may be difficult to accommodate, particularly when traveling. We encourage you to contact us if you have questions about specific dietary concerns. While we strongly encourage students of all faiths to join Global Leadership Adventures and contribute to the diversity of the student body, students cannot skip any part of the program, except for medical reasons. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide avenues for worship, but we can accommodate some personal time on-campus for spiritual reflection.
We recognize the importance of athletic training for many students, particularly for those who are preparing for fall sports and for those whose sports contribute to their college admission prospects. Although The GLA Experience will greatly contribute to students' development in many ways, it is not a sports program and does not allow for serious training. Our schedule includes a modest amount of free time most days and the option for group sports several times per week. We generally use this time to expose interested and previously uninitiated students to popular local sports ranging from cricket and rugby in South Africa to Capoeira and Soccer in Brazil.
The GLA Experience is the only high school leadership program that offers a combination of:
Great discussion based, country-focused seminars led by mentors from some of the best schools in the world
Guest speakers who are experts on their topics - whether they were former political prisoners with Nelson Mandela, in South Africa, or are masters of preserving rich biodiversity, in Costa Rica
Community service projects where you positively impact and learn from people in disadvantaged communities
Exciting excursions to each destination's most beautiful and culturally historic sites
An international student body that is excited and enthusiastic about meeting new friends, making a difference in the world and traveling in a meaningful way
All GLA team members are committed to making a difference in the lives of future leaders and are genuinely concerned about global issues
GLA leadership received their degrees from excellent institutions around the world and have extensive experience working in successful organizations. Learn more about GLA Leadership.
GLA program staff deliver the highest standard of excellence, and have significant educational experience as teachers or administrators at elite schools. See where previous staff members have come from.
GLA hires exceptional and enthusiastic educators from reputed schools, with strong skill sets in facilitating discussions and developing leadership skills among students.
Whether or not a student needs a visa depends on his/her country of citizenship and chosen GLA destination. For more specific information, please consult: http://www.traveldocs.com. All GLA students need passports valid for at least six months beyond the last day of the program and with at least one full empty page (to allow for an immigration stamp upon entry at the designated destination airport). US students can find information about renewing their passports at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get.html.
Essential items include clothing and personal items (such as toothbrush, soap shampoo, deodorant, etc...). Towels and bed sheets will be provided at all GLA campuses.
For clothing, we suggest you first visit: www.weather.com to see what average temperatures and weather conditions are like for your particular GLA destination. Generally, Brazil and Costa Rica are quite warm during the June, July and August season. However, Cape Town can sometimes be quite windy and is much colder during those same months. All students should bring shoes that allow them to comfortably do hikes and participate in active sports, such as soccer.
Once you are accepted into a GLA program, you will receive a destination specific list of recommended items to bring.
Except for airfare, GLA programs are all-inclusive. We provide students housing, transportation, three full meals a day, health insurance, and entrance fees to all scheduled events. Therefore, additional expenses are minimal. However, we understand that some students may wish to purchase additional snacks or souvenirs. We recommend students bring approximately $300. Students are strongly encouraged to bring an ATM card and credit card to access additional funds if necessary.
Yes, mobile phones. No, laptops. GLA programs are designed for students to fully engage in their three week experience and spend their free time building relationships with members of the GLA family. Therefore, the use of laptops phones is not permitted. Students will have access to internet on almost a daily basis.
Because we understand the need to communicate while traveling to and from GLA destinations, students may bring mobile phones. We ask that students use moble phones appropriately and only in situations when it is necessary.
We understand that students may experience extended travel routes to and from program sites, so we do allow students to bring with these devices. Once students arrive on campus, we ask that students use these devices in moderation and focus on engaging the rest of the group and building relationships with other students.
GLA has “recommended flights” departing from certain gateway cities that parents choose to send they children on. Although there is not a GLA chaperone, upon request of the parents, the airlines provide an escort for an “unaccompanied minor” to make sure he or she safely boards the plane. At the departure gate, GLA students can easily identify each other. As soon as the students arrive at the airport in the destination country, a GLA staff member will be there to meet them.
Yes, parents may join their children for holiday travel once the summer program is completed. In fact, this is a great opportunity not only for a wonderful family vacation, but also to share in your child's explorations.
Parents are encouraged to contact their children via email. However, parents will be provided with an on-site contact number, as well as the mobile phone number of an on-site GLA staff member. This enables parents to reach their children at any time, in case of an emergency.
Yes, but we highly recommend visiting our student feedback and parent feedback first. Our Alumni are glad to speak with prospective GLA students and their parents. However, we make every effort not to overload them with inquiries so that it does not interfere with their busy academic schedules.
Yes, with all GLA programs, safety always comes first. In fact, the primary goal of our experienced staff is the safety and welfare of the students. We take great pride in providing safe environments for students to explore these beautiful cultures and learn from one another. Upon acceptance into a GLA program, each student will receive a confirmation packet, which includes the GLA Safety Rules and Contract. This contract must be signed by each student and their parents, and returned with the final payment. All rules are designed to keep the students safe, while still giving them the freedom to make the most of their experiences. For example, students are asked always to be with a buddy, whenever they are involved with off-campus activities.
Yes. We believe that supervision is important to ensure student safety, and our staff will supervise students during all day and evening activities and in the accommodations at night. We are proud of our experienced staff and know they will do their best to maintain the students' safety. However, because staff cannot watch every student's actions 24 hours per day, it is important that students respect the safety rules described in a packet each will receive upon acceptance to the program and exercise good judgment. For example, during free time at the waterfront, students may be allowed to go shopping in the various stores unsupervised in groups while staff remain in a central location. During this time, students will be expected to follow the rules and will be able to reach supervisory staff at any time on the staff's mobile phones.
Since safety is our primary concern, anyone who jeopardizes his/her safety or the safety of others will be sent home at his/her parents' expense. Any deliberate attempt to break the rules indicates a student's inability or unwillingness to do his or her part to ensure the group's safety and must therefore leave the program.
Campus structures vary by destination. GLA aims to provide a great campus environment with comfortable housing, discussion rooms, eating and recreational facilities in a self-contained area. Please refer to our destinations page to learn more about specific campus sites.
We encourage students to interact and meet new people from diverse backgrounds, similar to what they will experience when they go to college. We certainly encourage students to invite friends in joining them on The GLA Experience, but we expect them to be open to meeting and rooming with new people. Therefore, we make roommate assignments with this philosophy in mind.
Yes. Students will have access to laundry facilities. Each country has slightly different laundry facilities, but in general, student laundry will be done once a week.
Yes, program's fees include insurance coverage. The insurance policy covers each student from the moment he/ she joins the group to board the group flight, arrives at the designated GLA destination airport or arrives on our campus, whichever comes first, and continues until the end of the program. For those traveling on the group flight, coverage continues through the day of the return flight home. The insurance policy includes medical, travel, and accident insurance. Full policy details will be sent to GLA students as part of their acceptance packet. If you would like more information about the insurance policy before applying, please
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GLA team members have implemented all necessary precautions to avoid diseases, including providing clean running water and hygienic surroundings. Although our campuses are located in regions that are relatively safe from diseases, we do recommend getting the latest region specific vaccines. In fact, some destinations require certain vaccinations to enter the country. For further information about health risks and in order to make well-informed decisions about immunizations, we recommend visiting the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention website or speak with your local travel doctor. US Citizens may call the CDC hotline for international travelers at (+1)-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or view CDC's internet home page http://www.cdc.gov/travel/destinat.htm.
Our staff will immediately arrange a doctor's visit, take the student to the nearest hospital, help fill his/her prescription, assist him/her in accessing qualified medical care, and do whatever is necessary to ensure that the student gets the medical attention he/she needs. The insurance provider will reimburse any medical expenses, above the prescribed deductible amount, upon the student's return home. We will supply each family with detailed information about our insurance policy and claim procedure. Families are encouraged to carefully review these materials and purchase additional insurance for the student, if they deem necessary.
Students are asked to bring an adequate supply of any prescription medication with them to the GLA destination. They are also asked to bring a copy of the original prescription and must include their physician's contact information on the GLA medical form. A medical form is included in each student's confirmation packet, and it is important that these forms are filled out accurately so that the staff is best prepared to deal with any medical issues that arise during the program.
Yes. Parents will be notified immediately of any medical issues that arise during the trip. If a serious medical problem prevents a student from completing the program, GLA will work with the student's parents to determine the best course of action in sending the student home. If necessary, a staff member will accompany the student on a return trip to their home country.
GLA programs are all-inclusive, except for airfare. We provide students housing, transportation, three full meals a day, health and travel insurance, as well as entrance fees to most main attractions.
If you are accepted into a GLA program, the remaining balance of the fee is due within 30 days of being accepted into the program.
For students applying after April 1, the full balance is due within 14 days of being accepted into a GLA program. Certain portions of the program fee may be refundable. All refund requests and cancellations must be made in writing and will be calculated according to the date in which GLA receives this notification.
The payment schedule and refund policy are as follows.
Before April 1st - all but $395 is refundable
Before May 1st - all but $700 is refundable
Before June 1st - all but $1,000 is refundable
On or after June 1st - program fees can no longer be refunded, under any circumstance.
If you choose to fully sponsor a student, you may allocate sponsor funds in 2 distinct ways: (i) directly choose the person you know and want to sponsor or (ii) allow GLA to distribute it to one of our scholarship candidates. Our goal is to be as inclusive as possible and provide options for students who may not otherwise be able to afford the program. This increases the cultural and socio-economic diversity of participants and enhances the experience for all.
Scholarship recipients are selected based on financial need. In order to apply for a scholarship, students must submit a Financial Aid Form and copies of their parents' income tax filings from the last two years, along with their program application. Unfortunately, GLA does not directly offer any full-fee scholarships. Full-fee scholarships are distributed through selected partner organizations.
