“How do you know if your programs are successful?” A question often directed to me.

Previously, I’ve written about the unexpected outcomes of study abroad programs. Along the same lines, I would say that I would consider our programs a success if our alumni become “activated”. Whether our programs spark a student to learn a new language, pursue a new course of study, start a non-profit, fall in love with a country, or take up a cause. If we can facilitate a spark, an activating event, I think we’ve done well.

A spark in the teenage years can be especially powerful because high school students are still open to the possibilities that life holds before them. Whereas, my work with college students often found that they already knew (or thought they knew) what they were going to do in life and were simply looking for a way to reinforce what they already wanted to do.

One of the reasons I enjoy working with high school students is that they have not necessarily decided on which college to apply to, what to major in, or even thought about their own self-identity.

Educators often ask me, “What outcomes do you expect to achieve through your programs at Global Leadership Adventures?”

In today’s educational world, everyone has been trained to focus on outcomes and build curricula to ensure that student can achieve them.

However, with independent experiential learning programs such as GLA, we have the luxury of being able to focus on a wider set of outcomes, including intangible concepts such as self-discovery and personal growth.Since we don’t depend on government funding, we’re not tied to achievement tests and programs such as No Child Left Behind.

I usually reply with some factual information about how we want students to get a deeper understanding of social issues, human rights and personal leadership.But quickly I transition to a more unorthodox answer – “I don’t know”.

International educational programs are one of the best ways to literally lift a person out of one social context and drop them into a completely different one.This exposes the individual to massive amounts of potential learning opportunities and potential networking opportunities.In fact, the potential for a student to connect with a person, place or idea is so great, that almost every person I know who works on an international level can point to a specific moment in their personal history as an “activating event” that set them on a new life course towards a career in international affairs.

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