Travelling opens our students up to the vast and diverse world in which they live. They grow and learn from planned field trips, excursions and on-location classes as they interact with people in different cultural settings. Specially selected teachers bring the textbooks to life with experiential instruction that satisfies and yet creates curiosity. This type of learning takes students beyond the regular course curriculum leading to increased awareness. In addition, students benefit from a personalized approach in small classes where teachers can match instruction to individual learning styles and student expectations.
Our group leaders and teachers provide a safe and structured environment that fosters personal growth. While travelling with family is often fun, travelling without parents or other people that are known to students allows them to develop independence. Travelling as part of a student group provides a “comfort zone” while experiencing new and different things. Students can try new foods, attempt new languages, and experience new activities all while feeling supported and encouraged Students will learn to budget their money, manage their time and make smart choices. Part of the growing process also means sometimes making mistakes or finding yourself in a challenging situation, like travel hick-ups. Students will be able to navigate these challenges together with caring staff and all within a structured group setting.
Our teachers come from public and private schools and are deeply committed to supporting our students. They are selected for their teaching excellence and their enthusiasm for teaching Ontario curriculum in an experiential manner while traveling. Teachers are available to students throughout the program for extra help and assistance. They provide support and encouragement for each student based on the student’s academic needs.
All of our students are between the ages of 13 and 19 years old and range from grade 9 to 12. They come from public, separate, and private schools across Canada and beyond. They bring a wonderful mix of ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds to our programs. Most students who will take a course with us over the summer will select a course that they would normally take the following school year. In other words, they are “reaching ahead”. Others will choose to complete a course they have a personal interest in and would like to study it in a unique setting.
Grade 9 & 10 students travel together and are always with staff. Grade 11 & 12 students travel together as well and have scheduled free time while staying in minimum groups of 4.
While the grade 9 & 10, and grade 11 & 12 programs do travel to some of the same locations, they are separate programs and are almost never in the same location at the same time.
Pre-departure Orientations will be held in May where students will hear valuable information about their Program. Students will get a chance to meet their program staff, including their teacher and group leader, as well as their fellow students. Pre-departure work will be introduced by teachers as well as information on any required textbooks that students will need to purchase.
Students must show proof of having earned the necessary prerequisite for their chosen summer course by submitting their transcript to Global Summers Academy. If the course is currently being taken, a copy of the timetable will suffice until a transcript can be sent. If you are a Grade 8 student wishing to reach ahead into Grade 9, please contact us in advance of registration for instructions on how to work with your home school to gain permission to complete a Grade 9 course while abroad.
An official report card will be sent to the student’s residence as well as to the home school upon completion of the course.
Note: Students from outside the Province of Ontario should speak with their Principal or Guidance Department before registering to confirm that the Global Summers Academy course will be accepted by their home school and the appropriate equivalency granted. We are happy to assist with any documentation your school requires in this process.
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Mark Ives is Academic Director of Global Summers Academy
An Ontario Secondary School educator since 2007 and founding Academic Director and designing architect of Blyth Academy Online, Mr. Ives has also been Academic Director, Program Manager, Photography Teacher or Activity Coordinator on over 25 month-long international student summer school programs. His passion for experiential and life-long learning has led him on many adventures around the globe including Europe, Central America, Caribbean, Oceana and Asia. As Academic Director since 2015, he has mentored over 100 teachers a year and allocated them to student programs in countries in almost every continent in the world. While leading these student programs, he has seen first-hand how beneficial such culturally enriching experiences can be for the development, growth and learning of students. He knows that when students have the opportunity to travel while learning, life skills and strong bonds are developed, and as a result, life-long friendships are formed.
Mr. Ives is a new father and looks forward to international travel in the coming years with his daughter and wife, who is also a teacher.
MARK IVES,
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
Carolyn Lahoud is the Admissions & Operations Manager of Global Summers Academy.
Carolyn is very passionate about travelling and believes that the core of experiencing the world is to indulge yourself in the sights, smells and feelings of the people and the cultures. She spent four years living in Europe and Southeast Asia, where she was able to realize her passion for travel guidance and education.
With five + years of experience developing her skills and knowledge in the travel industry both locally and abroad, Carolyn has become extremely confident in her ability to successfully coordinate programs for students wishing to study internationally while earning their high school credits.
She is always looking for new and exciting opportunities to enhance her cultural knowledge every day, and wherever her path takes her, she will continue to nourish her soul with all of the beauty that the world has to offer.
CAROLYN LAHOUD,
ADMISSIONS & OPERATIONS MANAGER
Chris Fuller is Principal of Global Summers Academy.
He has 4 degrees from 3 institutions of higher learning and is the first to tell students that “education has no end date”.
An Ontario Secondary School educator since 1989, Mr. Fuller has also been an Academic Director, Program Manager or English Teacher on over 20, month long, international summer school programs. He has expertise and extensive knowledge of “on-location”, experiential teaching practices. Mr. Fuller has traveled with teachers and classes to a great many European and Central American countries where on site teaching took students out of the regular classroom to enrich and “bring to life” the standard course curriculum. He knows this often leads to life changing educational excitement. Continuing to make these international learning opportunities available to as many students as possible is an important priority for him.
Mr. Fuller’s wife and daughter are also teachers with international teaching experience on their resumes. A true family affair.
CHRIS FULLER,
PRINCIPAL
Dina Poulopoulou is the Managing Director of Global Summers Academy.
With nearly two decades of experience managing student travel programs, Dina firmly believes that international travel gives students the opportunity to learn and grow.
Dina has extensive leadership experience in travel operations and logistics management. She keeps her sleeves rolled up and is involved daily in air and land arrangements, hiring and managing onsite program staff, and maintaining supplier relationships around the world.
Dina and her team pride themselves on providing safe, supported, and fun programs for students.
Dina is the proud mom of her teenage son and spends her free time taking courses in a variety of subject areas to always continue learning.
DINA POULOPOULOU,
MANAGING DIRECTOR
