GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ADVENTURES
SAFETY & RISK MANAGEMENT
Safety is at the Heart of Every Global Leadership Adventures Program & Internship.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY
Since our founding in 2005, GLA has built its reputation on one promise: to care for every student as we would our own. Safety and well-being guide every part of our work, from program design to daily operations in the field. With decades of experience and the guidance of leading risk management experts, our Duty of Care is more than a policy, it’s a practice we live every day.
OUR APPROACH TO SAFETY
GLA’s approach to risk management is rooted in prevention, preparedness and continuous improvement. We actively identify, assess and mitigate risks before, during and after every program to ensure peace of mind.
EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP YOU CAN TRUST
Behind every GLA program is a team of leaders with experience in student travel, youth development and risk management. Our senior leadership team collectively holds decades of expertise, providing stability, consistency and deep institutional knowledge that guide our global operations.
- Our Executive Director has been with GLA for nearly two decades, shaping our safety systems from the ground up.
- Our Director of Risk Management and Admissions Director each bring extensive experience for over a decade supporting students, families and field teams, ensuring continuity of care from enrollment through program completion.
- Our Regional Directors offer years of on-the-ground leadership, cultural fluency and operational insight that guide teams and support students worldwide.
This degree of long-term, specialized leadership is rare in the student travel industry and it’s one of the reasons families trust GLA to care for their students with the highest level of professionalism and compassion.
To make our approach clear and consistent, we’ve developed a 5-Point Safety System™, a set of rigorous standards that guide every aspect of how we operate around the world.
“Safety is not the job of one department – it is a culture” – Carly Sullivan, Director of Risk Management
5-POINT SAFETY SYSTEM
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.
GLA policy is for no student to ever be by themselves at any point in time outside the established Home Base. Students may be with staff members, in groups or assigned to a buddy.
Our average student-to-staff ratio on our travel programs is a maximum 6:1.
Our local partners and on-site staff have intimate knowledge of the host community and region, are familiar with the area’s medical facilities and are uniquely equipped to handle itinerary adjustments and emergencies.
From the moment students arrive, they are greeted by GLA staff and transported to Home Base in approved transportation by experienced and licensed drivers. In the case of a flight delay, staff will wait for their arrival or return to collect the student at the updated arrival time.
Transportation between Home Base(s) and activities is always in GLA-approved vehicles or via the mode of transport most appropriate for each specific location.
Meals are prepared fresh daily by Home Base staff or vetted restaurants, and include a healthy mix of grains, protein, fruit and vegetables. Students will enjoy a mix of local cuisine and common staples.
GLA provides 24/7 support and a hotline while programs are in session.
While incredibly rare in occurrence, GLA has a plan in place for all types of emergencies and situations that could arise. We proactively manage risk by identifying proper health and support facilities within the vicinity of our programs.
We provide secondary medical and evacuation insurance to all students traveling internationally outside the United States, and professional medical support is also available to our teams 24/7 should specialized guidance be needed.
STUDENT SAFETY ON PROGRAM
Student Safety starts with Strong Supervision
GLA maintains one of the lowest student-to-staff ratios in the industry when you look at youth program providers; this is to ensure each student receives close attention and support. GLA also boasts one of the highest seasonal staff retention rates in the industry, with around 60% of staff returning to work with us year after year.
All staff have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in experiential education, at least two years of experience working with teens and extensive travel experience. They have passed a background check and have a minimum of a CPR/First Aid certification, with additional certifications as needed for the destination. All staff undergo a rigorous training program associated with their role. All International Directors, Mentors and Local Directors go through our Online Learning Module program, our International Directors also attend a 5 day intensive in-person training in addition, and lastly, the entire team goes through their In Country Training 5-7 days as a team prior to students arrival.
Parent Testimonial: “My daughter had an amazing experience. She felt extremely safe, connected to the group, and gained a ton of confidence and self-esteem. This was an incredible opportunity for personal growth and giving back. Thank you GLA!”
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
Safety is created in partnership between GLA, our students and their families. Parents and students help us create a safe environment by providing accurate health information, following the Code of Conduct and participating in pre-departure orientation.
PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Each GLA program operates under a detailed Emergency Action Plan with protocols for communication, evacuation and medical response. Our global on-call team provides 24/7 coverage throughout the summer to coordinate care and support in any situation. Every student is included in our emergency and medical evacuation coverage.
Highlights:
- Evacuation routes and assembly points
- Local medical and government contacts
- Back-up communication plans
- Emergency and medical evacuation insurance coverage included for all participants
OUR GLOBAL NETWORK OF SAFETY PARTNERS
GLA’s safety systems are strengthened by a broad and highly experienced network of experts, organizations and on-the-ground partners who help us maintain best-in-class standards across every destination we operate in. These relationships ensure that our Duty of Care is informed, current and supported by global intelligence every single day.
- Our risk management practices have been evaluated by NOLS, a leader in outdoor education and risk management, through a year-long review. Their assessment ensures that our systems align with and often exceed global industry standards.
- We currently partner with Cornerstone Safety Group, a network of medical directors, mental health professionals, and field safety specialists who provide ongoing consultation and real-time support to our global staff teams.
- In each country where GLA operates, we work closely with local partners and in-country leadership teams who offer deep community knowledge, cultural insight, and real-time awareness of local conditions. Their expertise helps us make location-specific decisions with confidence, safety, and cultural sensitivity.
- Medical & Evacuation: Our comprehensive medical and emergency evacuation insurance provides access to international safety intelligence, risk alerts, and global coordination services available to our staff 24/7.
- Government & Embassy Monitoring: We actively monitor the U.S. State Department and CDC guidance, along with regional government updates and health advisories. GLA also established connections with local embassies and consulates in the regions where we work, ensuring fast and direct communication should additional support ever be needed.