GLA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Initiative

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative

At Global Leadership Adventures, we understand that access to travel can be an economic and social privilege, and that the joy of travel is not always accessible to all communities.

We are taking steps at GLA to promote the opportunity for travel for those who might not otherwise have access to these opportunities in the following ways:

•  IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Scholarship: The IDEA Scholarship provides full tuition and flight costs to two students who qualify based on an essay competition. One scholarship is set aside for a student of color with demonstrated financial need, and another scholarship is open to any student with demonstrated financial need. Three runners up will receive full scholarships to participate in online programming with our sister company, Summer Springboard.
• GLA International Foundation: The International Foundation was established to support our host communities. It also provides opportunities for individual and student groups to travel on GLA programs with all expenses paid, particularly in cases where a demonstrated need exists.
• Data collection and active recruiting of seasonal staff: We collect data on the diversity of our students so that we may strive to match this diversity among our staff teams. This helps to ensure we are properly supporting our youth during this impactful experience. We participate in active recruiting and posting initiatives that give us the ability to source the widest network of qualified staff candidates to best match our students’ diversity needs.

Below, we have also prepared public statements of intent from our organization on key areas reflective of diversity, equity and access.

Statement: GLA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Global Leadership Adventures, diversity, equity and inclusion are essential components of our mission to inspire the next generation to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it.

For GLA staff and students, as well as the communities we engage with in the field, diversity is about fostering representation and providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. Equity is about making sure we all have a fair playing field. And inclusion is about building community and making everyone feel their voice is heard and welcome.

GLA invites teens the world over to participate in our programs regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, country of origin or any other basis.

As an organization dedicated to delivering life-changing experiences to students traveling abroad, we understand the value of open dialogue and are committed to building bridges with communities around the world different than our own. Real, positive change only comes from openness, acceptance and a willingness to both embrace diversity and advocate for inclusion.

Respect is inherent in all of our interactions among students, staff and all members whose communities we serve. Respect means accepting and celebrating differences, and considering all points of view. That is the GLA way.

We’re committed to do our part to make the world a more respectful and accepting place for all.

Statement: LGBTQ + Support

Global Leadership Adventures firmly believes that all students should be able to participate fully in educational and cultural activities in accordance with their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

As an organization, we strive to demonstrate and practice leadership by openly embracing and supporting students who have historically faced tremendous discomfort, uncertainty and fear in pursuit of their educational aspirations, both domestically and abroad.

In such circumstances, staff shall make every reasonable effort to provide rooming accommodations that are acceptable to the student and that promote a positive and purposeful group experience.

As part of the pre-departure process, GLA will communicate with families to learn more about the individual needs of the student. Our communication may also include discussing any existing local laws or cultural expectations that may negatively impact the student and their ability to safely express themselves, or pose a risk to the safety, life or liberty of students, including those who have/are transitioning via their own legal framework.

We ensure this information is relayed to staff on each program to promote a positive and purposeful experience. GLA staff will ask all students their chosen names and pronouns and encourage the use of preferred names and pronouns within their groups.

To learn more, be sure to check out GLA’s Lodging Policy on our website, as well as our other resources available on the GLA Policies Hub. If you have any questions or concerns you would like to address with us, feel free to contact us during office hours at (858) 771-0645.

Statement: Respecting Community & Group

Global Leadership Adventures, a part of Terra Education Travel, and values inclusion and respect on behalf of our entire organization and staff team.

We expect GLA students and staff to be ambassadors for their families, schools, communities and countries. We therefore require that participants treat one another, their local hosts and program leaders with respect at all times.

GLA students, program leaders and host community organizations will discuss and agree to expected behavior and co-create a Group Community Agreement that all participants will abide by on-program. In this way, we aim to foment a culture of respect and shared investment in the goals of the travel experience.