The Academy
Connect with motivated young changemakers worldwide and together build the skills to help solve global challenges. Level up your leadership by learning from world-class speakers, instructors, and mentors.
YOUR EDUCATION ON PURPOSE
For young changemakers who care deeply about our world and its challenges, the Academy is an empowering opportunity to find your people, your purpose, and your power to make an impact. Over the 12 week semester, you’ll gain clarity, confidence and concrete skills to connect the values that drive you with the change you want to see in the world.
Want to learn more about what to expect during the Academy?
The Academy ExperienceEligibility
Students worldwide
post high-school to 21
Timing
12 weeks
4 hours per week
Tuition
$5,000 USD
Need-based scholarships available
Application
To be Announced
Why The Academy
Build leadership skills to help solve global challenges
Learn about yourself, the world, and your role at the intersection. Guided by expert instructors and alongside like-minded students worldwide, you’ll dig into essential questions like: What is my purpose? How can I have a positive and sustainable impact? Not only will the Academy help you develop a deeper understanding of your strengths, purpose, and identity, you’ll also gain concrete leadership skills in public speaking, asset-based community development, conducting root cause analysis, writing a project proposal, and pitching your ideas. After the Academy, 88% of students feel more prepared to create a meaningful life. Find what drives you, and get after it!
Connect with young leaders from +80 countries
Find your people here. Our selective admissions, brings together a diverse cohort that’s motivated, open-minded, and driven to make an impact. Your new classmates represent 80+ countries and bring an even greater number of diverse perspectives and lived experiences. Here you’ll find feminist podcasters, environmental-app creators, artists, optimists, and activists of all kinds. Together, you’ll deepen your understanding of the world, forge long-term friendships, and develop the cross-cultural skills necessary to address our shared global challenges.
Learn from world-class speakers, instructors, and mentors
Ask Melinda Gates about philanthropy. Discuss mindfulness with Jay Shetty. You’ll join conversations like these in the Academy’s speaker series featuring impactful leaders like DeRay McKesson and Shawn Mendes. In your leadership course, you’ll learn from expert instructors routinely rated with 99% satisfaction by students. Our instructors bring inspiring and diverse expertise including PhDs in educational neuroscience, positions at the U.S. Department of State, and experience teaching at top universities. You’ll also receive one-on-one support from a personal mentor. Our network of nearly 200 mentors includes CEOs, conservation biologists, experts in design thinking and much more — all eager to support your leadership journey.
JOIN A LIFELONG GLOBAL NETWORK THAT’S CHANGING THE WORLD — FOR GOOD
History demonstrates that ideas don’t change the world — leaders do. Global Citizen Year is transforming the trajectory and impact of future leaders. By joining Global Citizen Year, you’ll get access to the most influential changemakers of our time, and join a network of young leaders dedicated to solving the world’s most complex challenges.
With an alumni network of 1,200 and growing, the Global Citizen Year community is a source of collaboration, opportunity, and support — for life. Our alumni are thriving in colleges and careers in over 60 countries; they’re being honored with Fulbrights, Davis Peace Prizes, and Gates Millennium Scholarships; they’re working at The New York Times, Airbnb, Teach For America, and Tesla. Global Citizen Year alumni are already having an outsized impact on society; and they’re just getting started!
Rara enhanced her college experience with the Academy.
“It's so worth it to spend time with people who have the same vision as you to create real change, build global connections, and open minds.”
See Rara's Story
Experience a day in the
life of Academy students
DAY IN THE LIFE / ACADEMY
— Ziko Petse
The thought-provoking conversations with students from all walks of life challenge and expand my worldview.…
See Ziko's Story
DAY IN THE LIFE / ACADEMY
— Camila Leão Sabará
During my gap year I'm attending the Academy and running a youth activism podcast.…
See Camila's Story
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT / ACADEMY
Meet four Academy students from around the world!…
Meet 4 Students
DAY IN THE LIFE / ACADEMY
— Ulviya Chisty
Before starting college, I decided to join the Academy to challenge my understanding of what education looks like.…
See Ulviya's Story
DAY IN THE LIFE / ACADEMY
— Mel Richardson
Our class is so open to new ideas and discussing all sorts of interesting topics on self, community, society, and how we all intertwine! …
See Mel's Story
DAY IN THE LIFE / ACADEMY
— Rara Istifadah
I'm enrolled as a full-time college student and the Academy's been an amazing addition!…
See Rara's Story
DAY IN THE LIFE / ACADEMY
— Montserrat Ruiz
The Academy's been the best part of my gap year in Chile.…
See Montserrat's Story
DAY IN THE LIFE / ACADEMY
— Ana Isabel Amado
The Academy has been an amazing way to connect with people from all around the world and find people who share a love for making an impact. …
See Ana Isabel's Story