Semester Programs
Global LAB semester applicants should be motivated to learn firsthand about unfamiliar cultures and geographies while simultaneously engaging in the process of self-discovery that comes with stepping into the unknown. Applicants should be 16-22 years old; in good physical and emotional health; possess a sincere desire to practice intercultural communication and leadership skills; and be eager to learn how to succeed in challenging international environments, both urban and remote.

We highly recommend speaking with alumni who have participated on our semester programs to learn more about the ways you can expect to be challenged and rewarded by the experience of living and learning in Asia and Africa. For a list of recent alumni contacts, please contact us today.

Global LAB's Admissions Committee reviews applications year-round on a rolling admissions basis, accepting qualified applicants until programs fill. Since programs are limited to a maximum of 12 participants, we encourage you to send in your application as soon as possible. To begin the application process, print out the preliminary application below.

Application form
Printable FAQ

If you do not have Adobe's Acrobat Reader, download it:

1. Can you please describe the application process, deadlines, and when I will know about participating on this program?

After we receive your preliminary application, Global LAB will review it and contact your references. Admission is on a rolling basis and we generally inform you of our preliminary decision within two to three weeks of receiving your application. Official admission is contingent on your physician's approval.

A $500 program deposit is due upon receipt of the preliminary application. The remainder of tuition is due before July 1st for the fall semester and before December 1st for the spring semester. For summer programs, the remainder of tuition is due 60 days before the program start date.

2. What will I need to pack? What about health concerns?

Global LAB will send out all relevant instructions to help prepare you for a learning adventure of a lifetime. This information pack will include clothing and equipment suggestions; diet, hygiene, and medical advice to ensure that you stay healthy; and a diverse collection of reading materials--from guidebooks to contemporary poetry--to make sure that you are well prepared to get the most possible out of the program.

3. What kind of insurance do I need?

As a Global LAB program participant, you are automatically covered by our emergency medical health care insurance policy. You will receive complete details upon your acceptance. In addition to this medical insurance coverage, we recommend that participants consider purchasing travel insurance to protect against financial loss in the case of personal emergency, or other unforeseen events requiring last minute program cancellation.

4. Can I use my own travel agent and meet the group overseas?

We strongly encourage all participants to travel as a group from the United States. We use an outstanding travel agent who secures unbeatable group rates. After we receive your application, we'll send detailed information about travel.

5. What kind of travel documents do I need?

You must have a passport for international travel that is valid for six months after your intended date of departure. You will also need visa(s) for many of the countries we will visit, but we will send you information on how to obtain that.

6. Does the trip's itinerary ever change in the course of the program?

We do everything possible to stick to the promised itinerary. Sometimes changes are required for group health or safety. In these cases, we create alternate, comparable itineraries.

7. How easy will it be for me to be in communication with family or friends back home?

Fortunately for all travelers, there are still some remote places where phones and email access are hard to come by. We love spending time in those rare spots and hope you will too. However, with the exception of certain program treks, most days will be spent in the vicinity of relatively modern telecommunications. In addition, Global LAB's US offices maintain regular contact with groups in the field and can provide friends and family information on participants' whereabouts if necessary.

7a. Can I bring a cell/smart phone on Global LAB Semester Programs? How about an iPod or similar device?

As Global LAB's semester programs emphasize cultural immersion, possession of personal cell phones or smart phones (e.g. iPhones) is strongly discouraged. Our experience has shown that personal cell/smart phones are often lead to distraction, detraction, and divisiveness: they distract from the cultural immersion experience by a perpetual connectivity to friends/family back home; they detract from appreciating the immediacy of the moment and hinder understanding/interaction with cultures lacking these technologies; and they can create divisiveness between students who possess them and those who do not, negatively affecting group dynamics. In addition, near-constant contact with family/friends often can have the unintended consequence of stirring significant home-sickness, detrimental to fulfilling your experience and maintaining the group's cohesion.

All Global LAB destinations will have periodic access to phone and Internet communications during the course of the semester, and these times will afford students an opportunity to check personal email, make personal phone calls, etc. Global LAB leaders carry cell phones in the field for use in the event of emergencies or other urgent needs to communicate directly with your family. If you believe you have an exceptional personal need to possess a personal cell/smart phone on your semester program, please discuss this with your Global LAB Program Leader in advance of departure.

As with cell/smart phones, iPods have the capacity to detract from the cultural immersion and human interaction experience by "tuning out"; however, we realize that there will be suitable times during the semester for such downtime (i.e. long flights and bus/train rides, at night when you're alone). As long as you are disciplined and respectful in its use, iPods can be packed. On the other hand, if you feel that it will be a constant companion, we strongly encourage you to leave yours at home.

If you have questions on appropriate usage during the course of the semester, please consult with your Global LAB Program Leader.

8. What if I get really sick or injured and need to come home early?

We don't expect you will, but nonetheless, Global LAB program directors are trained to handle medical emergencies and are supported by an organization-wide focus on risk managment and safety. Should any medical issues require an early departure, we will expedite your return trip and coordinate all logistics. Global LAB is not responsible for any costs associated with unplanned departures, whether for medical, emotional, or other reasons. Make sure you check your health insurance to verify that it covers you when outside the US; if not, you should purchase additional travel insurance.

9. How physically strenuous is this program going to be?

You will want to get the most out of your time and we cannot stress enough the importance of being in relatively good physical condition. You don't need to train for a marathon, but we pack the days pretty full and you will not regret having plenty of stamina. We do ask for a health form signed by your doctor prior to departure.

10. What Is Global LAB's cancellation and refund policy?

Unless the participant has purchased travel insurance, any costs incurred due to cancellation fees on air tickets, hotel reservations or other pre-paid expenses will be deducted. Then, the refund will be calculated as follows:

If Global LAB does not accept a student's application, the full deposit will be refunded less a $25 processing fee.

50% of the program deposit is refundable up to 90 days before departure. If a participant withdraws his/her application within 90 days of departure, the deposit is not refundable. The $500 deposit is fully credited toward program tuition.

50% of the tuition balance is refundable up to 30 days prior departure. If cancellation occurs within 30 days of departure, 20% of tuition is refundable.

11. Would it be possible to speak with some recent alumni about their experiences?

Absolutely. In fact, we strongly encourage all applicants to speak with a few alumni to make sure the experience feels like a good fit for you. Global LAB semesters are physically and emotionally intense and it is in your best interest to make sure you have as clear an understanding as possible about the challenges you will face before applying. Contact us at any time for a list of recent alumni and alumni parents who would be happy to speak with you or your parents.

12. How can I reach you if I have other questions?

For general questions, look around our web site. You can also call our office at 1.800.984.4522 or email admissions@global-lab.org. We are always happy to hear from you and will do our best to answer any specific concerns or questions you may have about participating in one of Global LAB's programs.

Expert program leaders working with highly experienced local guides create unforgettable encounters from the Himalayan Mountains to the Sahara Desert. All Get Global Expeditions maintain a focus on cross-cultural interaction and education, including opportunities for involvement in community service projects.

Get Global Expeditions' pre-designed programs include the below 2-3 week tours in our portfolio. Please contact us is you have a minimum group of 10 and are interested in any of these tours, if you would like to discuss a customized adaptation, or if you're contemplating a completely customized tour.

Join us on these unique encounters with global cultures:

Exotic Morocco: A Sweet & Savory Culinary Expedition
A Revelation of Food, Flavors, and Culture in Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, and Marrakech--offered in partnership with CookingVacations.com

From Brahma to Buddha
A Fortnight on the Indian Subcontinent

From Souq To Sufi
An Encounter with Morocco's Music & Medinas, Mountains & Shore

A Journey to the Roof of the World
Exploring Sacred Places of Ladakh & Delhi

From Souq To Sufi, Kasbah to Sahara
Exploring the Vibrant Colors and Cultures of Morocco

Insight on Indochina
Revealing Vietnam and Angkor Wat

International understanding is vital to a successful education today, but the gap is growing between privileged, globally competent students and the many millions more without access to such learning. The International Leadership Program (ILP) is helping to reverse this trend.

The ILP is a 10-month experiential educational program that equips underserved public high school students in New York City with the knowledge, skills, and support they need to advance their education - and to create positive change in a globalized world.

As an intensive, transformative learning experience, the ILP's integrated curriculum provides:

• Personal Development: The ILP begins with the individual student, recognizing the profound importance of enhancing personal strength and resilience through deepening self-awareness, strengthening social and emotional skills, and learning effective tools to manage how one chooses to respond to life's inevitable stresses and adversities.

• Leadership Development: Drawing upon Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government leadership curriculum, ILP students gain leadership skills to directly improve their communities. Developing effective mission statements underpinned by Theory of Change, students learn to fundraise, create work plans, and build stakeholder consensus to implement Leadership Projects in their schools.

• Intercultural Communication: Understanding and collaborating with people from different cultures is a fundamental necessity in the 21st Century. ILP students learn the essentials of intercultural communication and collaboration during a series of NYC cultural excursions, workshops, and a summer cultural immersion and service learning experience in the Indian Himalayas.

• College Readiness: The ILP increases access to higher education through supporting students with the college application process, understanding financial aid, SAT preparation, and training in essay writing.

The ILP welcomes nominations for the 2013 International Leadership Program, beginning this January. Learn more below, or apply now.

Watch students share how the ILP has changed their lives and their plans for the future;

Vimeo Player Embed (3:18 video):

International Leadership Program: Overview (2011) from Global LAB on Vimeo.

"lorem ipsum......" - Jane Smith, Brooklyn Latin
"lorem ipsum......" - Jane Smith, parent of Joe Smith
"lorem ipsum......" - Jane Smith, college admissions counselor

Experience each step of the ILP through students' reflections and photos on their program blogs:

Class of 2012
Class of 2011
Class of 2010

Get Involved
• Become a partner school in our expanding network - ILP works closely with schools to recruit and support ILP students. Request Information or contact us:
ilp@global-lab.org or 800.984.4522.
• Support ILP - Learn about opportunities to help make the ILP experience accessible to students with tremendous potential, but limited resources. Contribute as an individual or institution, volunteer, and/or attend an event (join us for a magical evening November 29th at New York City's renowned Rubin Museum of Art: Art of the Himalayas). Funders include: The Shelley and Donald Rubin Foundation, CollegeBound Initiative, Himalayan Progressive Education Fund, and hundreds of generous individual contributors.
• Learn more - Sign up for the Global LAB Newsletter, request information, download the ILP one-pager, connect with us on: Facebook, Vimeo, Twitter [icons/links to be added]

There has never been a more important time to explore and learn beyond our cultural and political borders and boundaries.

Global LAB programs are designed to cultivate in small groups of "global learners" a deep appreciation for the interconnected and interdependent nature of our world.

Global LAB Semester Programs

Dynamic programs every fall and spring in India, Morocco, Greece, and China for young people ages 17 - 22, particularly those deferring college to embark on an interim or "gap" year.

All semesters begin with a residential orientation in the US to prepare students for international cultural immersion via language study, homestays, community service projects, and independent study projects.

Global LAB programs facilitate cultural engagement through focusing on a range of themes and topics, including globalization; visual, performing, and literary arts; sustainable development; wisdom traditions; peace and conflict studies; and public health issues.

Student reflections and images from India are available here.

For additional details, download the following semester overviews (Adobe Reader required):

China & Tibet Semester
Greece Semester
India Semester
Morocco Semester

International Leadership Program

The International Leadership Program provides intercultural learning and leadership training for youth populations that have historically been under-represented in study-abroad programs. These programs focus on providing opportunities for young people to broaden their understanding of the world, learning of diverse people and cultures in their communities and city as well as the importance of having study abroad experiences during high school and college. Afterschool and weekend activities throughout the academic year culminate in an international travel and service experience to destinations in the developing world:

2012 - 2013: From NYC & Newark to India
2011 - 2012: From NYC to India
2010 - 2011: From NYC to India
2009 - 2010: From NYC to India

International Leadership Program: Overview.

Global LAB School & Partner Partnerships

In partnership with individual US high schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, Global LAB designs innovative 2-5 week cultural immersion programs in Africa and Asia for small groups of students and faculty. If you are a teacher or administrator interested in creating a customized program linking your curricula and student interests to global immersion and service learning, contact Global LAB today--we'd be glad to discuss program possibilities with you and to provide a list of schools and teachers with whom we have collaborated.

Fort Lewis College - Write Abroad in the High Himalayas
Pratt Institute - Artistic Traditions of Amdo/Tibet
The Institute for Civic Leadership - Indian Himalayas
National Cathedral School - Morocco
Westridge School for Girls - China
The Hotchkiss School - Morocco
The Masters School - China
The Nightingale-Bamford School - India
Georgetown University - Morocco

Global LAB Professional Development Programs

Open to teachers at all levels, these 2-3 week intensive programs in Africa and Asia offer opportunities to enrich one's ability to teach about diverse world cultures in US classrooms and communities. All Global LAB educator programs are interdisciplinary, focusing on globalization, education, arts, religion, public health, politics, and the environment. International immersion periods are preceded by intensive preparation and followed by required new curricula development and implementation.

Cultures of the Himalayas
Mosaic of Morocco

Get Global Expeditions (GGEx)

In the spirit of Global LAB's experiential education programs for students and educators, Get Global Expeditions
feature authentic introductions to fascinating cultures, peoples, and places well off the typical tourist track. These 2-4 week adult cultural excursions combine grassroots interaction, expert insights, and opportunities for hands-on community service. As with all Global LAB programs, commitment to, and education about, sustainable travel practices are a key feature of these tours. GGEx offers small group journeys to India, Morocco, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Tibet, and Bhutan.