At Global Leadership Adventures, diversity, equity and inclusion are essential components of our mission to inspire the next generation to transform the world and their unique 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 providing equitable treatment and experiences to all individuals. Similarly, 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 from 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.

At GLA, we understand that access to travel can be an economic and social privilege and 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:

• [1] Inclusion Diversity Equity and Access (IDEA) Scholarship: provides full tuition and flight costs to two students with demonstrated financial need who qualify based on the essay competition, of which one of them must also be a student who identifies as a student of color.
• [2] GLA International Foundation: Our International Foundation was established to support our host communities, however it now also provides opportunities for individual and student groups to travel on GLA programs with all expenses paid.
• [3] 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 to ensure we are properly supporting our youth during this impactful experience. We participate in active recruiting and posting initiatives that allow for us to source the widest network of qualified staff candidates to best match our students’ diversity needs.

GLA, a part of Terra Education Travel and our organizational team together all value inclusion and respect. We expect GLA students and staff to be ambassadors for their families, schools, communities, and countries and require that they 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. In this way, we aim to foment a culture of respect and shared investment in the goals of the travel experience.

GLA firmly believes that all students should be able to participate fully in educational and cultural activities in accordance with their gender identity, orientation 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 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 who have/are transitioning via their own legal framework. We ensure this information is relayed to 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. All of these statements apply to our staff teams as well.

Utmost care is taken to provide safe and secure lodging. Accommodations vary based on location, but all include exclusive spaces reserved for GLA students and staff.

Home Base is our home away from home, a place to relax, the gathering place for meals and sanctuary for reflection, team building and leadership after active days.

Some programs have one Home Base. Other programs include an overnight stay away from the main Home Base or split time between two or more Home Base locations.

GLA’s rooming assignments are based on gender identity, as communicated to GLA. If a student is transitioning (their gender) or identifies as non-binary or non-comforming, we will discuss with them what type of room they prefer or are most comfortable with (either male or female). All students and families are welcome to communicate with GLA to provide more information on what type of lodging experience will be the most comfortable for their student. GLA reserves the right for staff to change rooming assignments for any reason at any time and unfortunately cannot guarantee rooming preferences in all cases due to the nature of international and group travel. Students are not permitted to enter rooms that are not assigned to them unless given permission by the program staff.

GLA rooming assignments for staff are also based on gender identity and ALL staff also have the right to communicate with GLA to provide more information on what type of lodging experience will be most comfortable for them.

GLA is committed to creating an inclusive and safe environment for all students and staff, regardless of their gender, gender identity or expression, sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, country of origin or any other basis. You can learn more about our commitment here. If you have a request for room assignments or other notes, please contact us to share more 858-771-1645 or email travel@experienceGLA.com.