GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ADVENTURES
PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR TEENS
Are you looking to combine college major and career path discovery with an unforgettable overseas travel experience this summer? If so, Global Leadership Adventures has travel internships and programs in an array of academic program themes for you to explore!
Request Your Free GLA Program Catalog
Global Leadership Adventures offers transformative travel internships for high school students ages 14-18.
Spend 21 days this summer in Costa Rica, Peru, Thailand or beyond, working alongside a global nonprofit or social enterprise. Gain real-world experience while making a lasting impact.
Choose a thematic focus that excites you, from STEM and Engineering to Medicine and Wildlife Conservation. Then, dive even deeper with a specialized concentration like Pre-Med, Veterinary Science, Robotics, or Engineering. This is your chance to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals while building critical leadership and career skills.
Build College-Ready Skills on GLA’s Academic Travel Internships for Teens
More than just an internship, this experience is designed for hands-on learning, adventure and personal growth. Earn optional college credit, gain a standout achievement for university applications, and rely on GLA for expert guidance every step of the way.
GLA also runs pre-college travel programs for teens looking to dive deeper into a future college major or career path.
Choose from destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Pick a program theme that matches your future ambitions, from Medicine & Public Health to Sciences & STEM and beyond. And get ready for an adventure you will never forget.
Whether you’re helping to conserve the endangered giant tortoises of the Galapagos Islands, shadowing medical professionals as they deliver holistic health campaigns in Peru, or teaching English to local children at schools in Thailand, this is the kind of experience that’s tough to match anywhere else.
Are you ready to learn more? 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. Your pre-college abroad adventure awaits!
Explore Pre-College Travel with Support: 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
PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
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
