WHO WE ARE

Our team at Global Summers Academy is comprised of educators and travel providers all with expertise in student travel. We have all witnessed, and wholeheartedly believe in, the benefits students derive from travelling and we are committed to creating programs where that can happen.

A NOTE FROM SAM BLYTH, FOUNDER OF GLOBAL SUMMERS ACADEMY

As a 23 year old in 1977, I founded Blyth Travel and in my 42 year career that evolved and grew into Blyth Academy, which is the leading school group by enrollment in Canada with schools in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. When I sold the organization in 2018, I devoted my time to my own travel and the building of the Trans Bhutan Trail, a 425 km path that recreates the ancient pilgrimage route across the Himalayan country of Bhutan, and which open in the fall of 2022.

As Chair of Blyth Academy, I had the pleasure of watching the schools grow and flourish. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the travel division and the student summer programs did not operate for the first time in the organization’s history in the summer of 2020. When the pandemic closed down the travel world and travel companies alike, my former team and I weren’t about to quit. The support we received from parents, students and faculty was inspiring. When the opportunity arose to again own and operate an international summer programs organization with the three key people that built it with me, I knew it needed to be done.

Why? Because we are all deeply passionate about international experiential education for students and have legions of fantastic and equally devoted teachers and staff, who we’ve worked with for many years.

Sam Blyth Announces Return to Student Travel
Sam Blyth the CEO of Blyth Academy

Our leadership team at Global Summers Academy are all owners and operators. Together we have over 100 years of experience running student programs, having sent more than 40,000 students to more than 50 countries around the world. We have successfully managed programs through good times and challenging times as well, including political, climatic, and financial crises.

We have seen the transformative power of these programs. We have seen students return home with a lifelong love for travel, a newfound enthusiasm for learning, and friendships that have resulted in reunions that have endured for decades.

The first 42 years was incredible. Join us as we look forward to the next 42.


Sam Blyth is the founder and former Chair & CEO of Blyth Academy and Blyth Educational Travel. Educated at Cambridge University, where he holds an Honorary Fellowship, he is Honorary Consul General for the Kingdom of Bhutan to Canada and a lifelong traveler having visited more than 150 countries around the world. 

Dina Poulopoulou, Managing Director

DINA POULOPOULOU,
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Chris Fuller, Principal

CHRIS FULLER,
PRINCIPAL

Mark Ives, Academic Director

MARK IVES,
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR

CAROLYN LAHOUD,
ADMISSIONS & OPERATIONS MANAGER

ALICIA DELLA MAESTRA,
MARKETING
DIRECTOR