Frequently Asked Questions

The Powerful Youth Global Leadership Academy is open to all youth from around the world.  Our only requirements for admission into this youth summer program is that you are between the ages of 12 to 18 years old by the time that you apply or the time that you attend the program.

All instruction is done in English, however, we do not have any English language requirements since we are an experiential learning program leadership training program.  We suggest that students do try to have at least a proficient level of English, or the ability to speak and understand short statements and questions in English, but this is not a requirement.  By far the most important requirement is to have a positive attitude and desire to develop your skills as a young leader.

What kind of visa do I need to attend the program?

International participants require a visitor/tourist visa to enter the country to attend the program. A student visa is NOT required to attend GLA, and we do not provide the documentation required for study applications in Canada or the UK.

Canada

Do I need a visa to enter Canada? https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp

What is required for minors applying for a visitor visa to Canada? https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/minor-children-travelling-canada.html

United Kingdom

Do I need a visa to enter the UK? https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

What is required for minors applying for a Standard Visitor Visa to the UK? https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor/if-youre-under-18

General

We provide the following documentation for international minors to apply for a visitor visa (if necessary) once we receive the deposit payment.

– Program Registration Confirmation

– Letter of Authorization and Custodianship

Click here for the full GLA 2023 Scholarship Information Guide

We are able to provide financial aid to 90% of youth who request assistance.  Financial aid comes in the form of tuition scholarships, so they do not cover airfare or travel expenses, and we award scholarships only for the 2-week GLA program (not the tour package).  Partial financial aid and leadership scholarships are given on a first-come, first-serve basis every year, while full tuition scholarships are decided in the spring after the scholarship application deadline (March 31, 2023).

*Please note: Unfortunately, we are currently only offering scholarships to students from Canadian visa-exempt countries or UK visa-exempt countries at the moment due to longer-than-average visa processing times.*

To be considered for financial aid or scholarships, you must first complete an online application and indicate that you require financial assistance to attend our youth summer program. 

In order to be considered for financial assistance or a scholarship, please submit a 1-2 page written essay or create a 2-3 minute video that answers these 3 important questions:

1. Why are you interested in attending the Global Leadership Academy?

2. What leadership or service activities are you currently involved in?

3. What is one strength that you have already as a leader?

Feel free to be creative and fun, but make sure to answer the questions as best you can.  Since videos are too large to upload, please send us a link to a YouTube, Vimeo, or some other video hosting site or attach your essay in a Word document and email it to info@powerfulyouth.com.

Once you have submitted your application online, you will receive an email letting you know if you have been accepted into your desired program. To accept your offer and guarantee your spot, you must pay a non-refundable $200 USD deposit, which applies towards your total tuition cost. This deposit allows us to officially register you in our program and to provide you with the documents necessary for you to apply for a visa to Canada or the UK, depending on your country of residence. 

REFUND POLICY:

If you would like to cancel for any reason, 

• Before May 31st, 2023: Full refund of tuition paid, excluding the non-refundable deposit

• After May 31st, 2023: Partial refund of tuition paid (depending on individual program costs already pre-paid), excluding the non-refundable deposit

• Within 4-weeks of program start date: No refund

*In the case of a denied visa, you are entitled to a full refund. Proper documentation must be provided.

*If the program you register for is canceled due to COVID-19, you are entitled to transfer your registration to the 2024 program or receive a refund in full (including your $200 deposit).

MAKING A PAYMENT:

Payments for Powerful Youth’s programs may be made securely and online through PayPal or through Bank Wire Transfer. 

For our Canada programs, participants will stay on the Brookes Westshore campus located at 1939 Sooke Rd, Victoria, BC V9B 1W2. The school dorm rooms are designed for 2 to 4 students, have ensuite bathrooms, and are large enough for each participant to have their own bed and closet space.

For our UK programs, participants will stay on the Brookes Cambridge campus located at Flempton Rd, Risby, Bury Saint Edmunds IP28 6QJ.  The school dorm rooms are designed for 3 to 6 students, have ensuite bathrooms, and are large enough for each participant to have their own bed and closet space.

We assign students to dorms according to gender, age, and to promote diversity. We reserve the right to decline all requests to stay in the same room with someone you may know.

     In order to help participants with the implementation of their projects or to work towards other leadership goals, we offer support from senior staff members via email. This can include giving feedback on documents (including grant funding applications, job applications, or project proposals), providing a reference letter, sharing information about their projects with our network, offering encouragement, etc.

     We also offer each participant a 1-hour virtual coaching session in order to provide them one-on-one support with their projects and/or goals. There is no set coaching schedule as we have participants worldwide in different time zone with different school calendars, so the coaching session can be organized by contacting our team directly by email to find a time that works for both a staff member and the participant.