Global Scholars FAQs
Who is eligible to apply for the Global Scholars Program?
African Leadership Academy seeks dynamic, motivated high school sophomores and juniors from around the world – North America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa – who are thrilled at the prospect of an intense, 3-week summer program in which they would develop as global leaders, build lasting friendships, engage in deep study of the African continent, and contribute value to a social venture that will have a lasting impact on a community in need.
What sets GSP apart from other summer programs in the world?
The Global Scholars Program differs in the depth of experience we provide. African Leadership Academy is the leading pan-African educational institution in the world, with a track record of connecting the African continent's most outstanding young leaders. We carefully constructed our GSP program from the ground up, with safety as our foundation. Our unique leadership program sets us apart through direct interactions with leaders from the grassroots level to high ranking figures in African politics and business. Our focus on community based service-learning engagements allows students to really become immersed in the local culture and community while also providing a foundation on which students learn the skills necessary to design an initiative aimed to help an underserved community.
Why did African Leadership Academy launch the GSP?
As business, politics, and society become increasingly global, Africa cannot afford to exist in a vacuum separate from the rest of the world. Africa's development will be driven not only by Africans living on the continent, but also by committed leaders from all over the world. The Global Scholars Program will connect global leaders and challenge them to explore Africa's future as it is relevant to both the success of the African continent and the world.
Will attending the Global Scholars Program help me gain acceptance into a university?
African Leadership Academy's academic reputation is unequivocally exceptional. Students who have completed our unique full-time curriculum are now attending schools such as Harvard, Stanford, Dartmouth, Columbia, and Princeton. Our Global Scholars Program will bring similarly bright minds together for a rigorous exploration of Africa and leadership. But, it's not simply attending the GSP that will help you get into college.
Rather, it's what you learn at GSP that will set you apart in the college admissions process. The program will open your eyes to new possibilities and unlock your passions. You will do community service in a developing country and experience a culture and lifestyle very different from your own. And in that environment, the GSP will teach you to reflect on your experience: how is this country different from yours?, who are you?, who do you want to be?, and, what's your leadership role in the world?
By the end, you'll know yourself better. You'll understand the world around you better and the role you will play in its future. And you will have lots to talk about in your college admissions essays. That's what colleges look for in a successful applicant.
When does the Global Scholars Program begin and end? What is the cost?
The GSP runs July 15th-August 3rd, 2012. The cost is $3,995 USD, which includes tuition, room and board, extracurricular activities, and entry fees for all museums and trips. Limited financial assistance is available.
Do the program fees include health insurance?
Yes, the program fees include insurance coverage. The insurance policy covers each student from the moment he/she joins the group at the Johannesburg airport or arrives on our campus, whichever comes first, and continues until the end of the program. The insurance policy includes medical, travel, and accident insurance. Full policy details will be sent to students as part of their acceptance packet. If you would like more information about the insurance policy before applying, please email us at summer@africanleadershipacademy.org.
What if a student takes medication regularly or has a pre-existing medical condition requiring special care?
Students are asked to bring an adequate supply of any prescription medication with them to campus. They are also asked to bring a copy of the original prescription and must include their physician's contact information on the GSP medical form. A medical form is included in each student's acceptance packet, and it is important that these forms are filled out accurately so that the staff is best prepared to deal with any medical issues that arise during the program.
If a medical issue arises during the trip, will the GSP staff keep parents informed?
Yes. Parents will be notified immediately of any medical issues that arise during the trip. If a serious medical problem prevents a student from completing the program, the GSP staff will work with the student's parents to determine the best course of action in sending the student home.
What safety and security measures are in effect during the program?
African Leadership Academy is dedicated to providing the safest international service-learning program possible. We take great care in providing a safe, comfortable environment for our students. Our staff, with many years of combined experience working on successful international student programs, is equipped to make sure that every student is secure.
Before students land, our staff has already taken precautions to ensure student safety. Specifically, we do the following:
- Develop extensive emergency procedures to handle any unforeseen circumstances
- Employ individuals that hold Red Cross certifications in First Aid and CPR
- Conduct background checks on all staff
- Have access to the best hospitals in the area
- Maintain 24-hour security personnel to ensure maximum safety of our campus
With a low student-to-teacher ratio, our staff gets to know each student and provide close supervision and support during community service, cultural activities, and excursions.
Students are under staff supervision almost always, unless they are explicitly granted time to explore independently within a pre-defined area - for example, when visiting a market or engaged in a village ceremony. In these situations, students are always instructed to use the buddy system. In addition, students are briefed on what to look out for and what to avoid. We make sure that participants are ready to explore any place without feeling overburdened. Our main objective is to provide every Global Scholar a safe and wonderful experience.
What are the lodging and dietary accommodations during the Global Scholars Program?
During the entire program, the students will live together in a single dormitory building on the campus of African Leadership Academy, which is an international boarding school located in the quiet, peaceful outskirts of Johannesburg, in an area called Honeydew. The campus has all of the security features and amenities of any world-class international boarding high school.
Two students will share a room with a private bathroom. Students will have access to computer labs, classrooms, athletic fields and a cafeteria. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated.
Will student-athletes be able to prepare for fall sports?
We recognize the importance of athletic training for many students, particularly for those who are preparing for fall sports and for those whose sports contribute to their college admission prospects. Although the GSP experience will greatly contribute to students' development in many ways, it is not a sports program and does not allow for serious training. Our schedule includes a modest amount of free time most days and the option for group sports several times per week. We generally use this time to expose interested students to popular local sports such as cricket and rugby in South Africa. In addition, our campus has fields and courts on which students can play basketball, tennis, soccer, and volleyball.
What does a typical day look like for a Global Scholar?
The Global Scholar Program was deliberately constructed to offer student participants an enriching, highly intense academic and social experience. Any given day, students will attend 2 courses - in Leadership, Entrepreneurship or African Studies. In between classes, students will have the opportunity to attend guest lectures on campus given by African Educators, Businessmen, and Environmentalists, meet with company leaders, or engage with social activists during dinner. Additional program highlights include a day-long ropes course, which will offer students an in-depth immersion into team-building; a trip to the Cradle of Humankind, one of the first identifiable sites of humanity; a trip to Soweto, the home of Nelson Mandela; and, a trip to the Pilanesberg National Park, a beautiful game reserve.