GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ADVENTURES
SUMMER TRAVEL PROGRAMS FOR TEENS
Life-changing journeys for teens in Costa Rica as well as destinations across Africa, Asia & the Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Spring break and summer options are available. At Global Leadership Adventures, we believe meaningful teen travel can be life-changing.
Request Your Free GLA Program Catalog
Costa Rica is our most popular destination for student travelers year after year, and for good reason!
Traveling to Costa Rica is safe, easy and yet offers an astounding variety of program themes, locations across the country to choose from, and a full spectrum of trip durations that work with your family’s schedule.
Costa Rica is the most popular destination for student travelers at Global Leadership Adventures every year because it also offers the perfect balance of adventure, service and cultural immersion. With its breathtaking natural beauty—lush rainforests, stunning coastlines, and diverse wildlife—Costa Rica is a dream destination for teens seeking both excitement and impact.
Whether ziplining through the jungle, spotting sloths in the treetops, or surfing on pristine beaches, students experience an outdoor paradise unlike any other. But what makes it even more special is the opportunity to work alongside local communities on meaningful service projects, from environmental conservation to sustainable development initiatives.
Choose your preferred travel dates and your focus area.
We have travel programs and internships in Costa Rica to choose from during spring break and summer, with multiple themes and concentrations such as Animal & Wildlife Conservation, Language Immersion, Medicine & Public Health, Sports Leadership and more!
Join a GLA program this spring break or summer and be part of something bigger.
Are you ready for an adventure in Costa Rica or beyond that you’ll never forget? Get your free GLA program catalog today! Simply fill out the form on this page, and we can mail you a copy or send a digital version straight to your inbox.
97% OF GLA ALUMNI AGREE:
“WHEN I LOOK BACK ON MY GLA EXPERIENCE, I CONSIDER IT TO HAVE BEEN LIFE-CHANGING.”
Choose Your Destination
Spend 7-21 days in an awe-inspiring location.
Choose from the following destinations for your summer adventure:
- Bali, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Galapagos Islands
- Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Peru, Spain
- South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, United States, Vietnam
Stay in memorable lodging: GLA’s Home Base is your home away from home, a place to relax, the gathering place for meals and sanctuary for reflection, team building and leadership after active days. 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.
Select a Program Theme
Choose a theme that matches your future college and career interest.
The focus area you choose may relate to your service project and hands-on activities:
- Animal & Wildlife Conservation, Community Development, Environmental Stewardship
- Language Immersion, Leadership & Exploration, Medicine & Public Health
- Outdoor Adventure, Sciences & STEM, Sports Leadership, Youth & Education
Make waves ahead of college: You can reference this experience for university admissions. You can even write about your GLA experience in college applications or essays if you’d like! And if the theme you choose isn’t what you want to study in college, no worries. You can try one out for fun, too!
Will You Choose a Travel Program?
Embark on a classic GLA Service Learning Adventure!
Most programs are open to high school students. Select trips are available for middle schoolers.
Earn community service hours: Earn between 5-60 community service hours while on-program. GLA is a recognized leader in international volunteering and community service programs for teens.
Participate in a range of experiences: Take part in meaningful community service projects, hands-on learning and leadership development activities. You will also enjoy epic adventure excursions such as visiting the iconic Machu Picchu in Peru, ziplining through a cloud forest canopy in Costa Rica or hiking to a mountain temple in Thailand.
... or Opt for a Travel Internship?
Our travel internships are designed exclusively for high school students.
We have you covered!
Boost your future career prospects: This is your opportunity to gain critical professional and leadership skills with a global impact.
Enjoy a tailored experience: This travel internship for teens still includes community service, hands-on learning and adventure, just like a standard GLA travel program, but is curated for even deeper learning and engagement.
Rely on our experts: GLA will serve as the management, support and resource provider of the internship. You’ll also collaborate with a local partner organization. Intern with a nonprofit or social enterprise and you may even earn college credit!
Experience an Adventure Unlike Any Other
Find out what’s over every horizon with Global Leadership Adventures.
At GLA, we believe meaningful teen travel can be life-changing.
Discover new places and meet new people: Make friends with like-minded peers who share your passion for travel and community service, and connect with local communities. Most students are solo travelers who join the rest of the student group upon arrival; we also welcome friends or siblings who wish to travel together.
Choose your ideal dates: Summer and spring break dates are open for enrollment. Summer sessions typically run 10-21 days (14 days is the most common) while spring break runs for 7 days. All internships are three weeks long.
Tuition is all-inclusive: Scholarships and payment plans are available.
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ADVENTURES
UNFORGETTABLE TRAVEL PROGRAMS FOR TEENS IN COSTA RICA AND BEYOND
PARENT TESTIMONIAL
Both of my sons have participated in this program, traveling to the Galapagos with GLA for two weeks. One went alone, and the other with a friend. They both had an amazing time and highly recommend it.
From the student’s perspective, the trip is a great chance to push themselves outside their comfort zone and experience some real independence, traveling internationally without their family. Successfully negotiating flights, connections and immigration solo is a real confidence builder.
In-country, the group becomes their family. GLA does an incredible job of building camaraderie (my eldest still communicates with his group years later), ensuring the students are safe, and keeping parents informed of their teens’ activities. From the pre-departure planning through the trip, I always felt that my children were in capable, organized hands.
My kids learned a lot and experienced so much, and got service hours to list on their college applications as a bonus. Plus, teens are really excited to be involved in preserving such a unique and important place. An incredible opportunity, grateful to GLA for all they do to open up the world to teens.
Laura – GLA Alumni Parent – Galapagos: Preserving Nature’s Wonders
STUDENT TESTIMONIAL
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a Global Learning Adventures program, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the staff went above and beyond to make my experience unforgettable. Their dedication and enthusiasm were evident, creating an atmosphere that set the stage for an incredible adventure.
The staff at GLA played a pivotal role in making the entire journey seamless and enjoyable. Their professionalism and warmth were evident from the initial orientation, where they provided comprehensive information about the program, to the daily activities, where they offered guidance and support. It was evident that they were not just doing a job; they were genuinely passionate about the program and ensuring each participant had a transformative experience.
What truly stood out was the personalized attention the staff provided. Whether it was assisting with cultural nuances, explaining the significance of local traditions, or simply being a friendly face to turn to, the GLA staff created a sense of community that made me feel at home in a foreign land. Their expertise and commitment fostered an environment where I felt encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the full spectrum of the experience.
Livia – GLA Alumni Student – Costa Rica: Sea Turtle Initiative
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
We are honored to be recognized for operating award-worthy summer programs for teens over the past 20+ years, including a win in the category of Extraordinary Experience at the Global Youth Travel Awards.
Request a Program Catalog
Browse our catalog to discover all GLA has to offer.
Complete this quick form and we'll send you a FREE copy of the Global Leadership Adventures program catalog.
Be on the lookout for a confirmation email after you complete the form! You will also receive an all-access pass to the latest GLA program updates and our newsletter.
FRONT COVER
