Becoming a Global Youth Ambassador
To ensure the highest level of impact, GYAP places a strong emphasis on student leadership, making the program student-driven. Here’s how students can become a Global Youth Ambassador:

‍Training and Orientation Students selected for the GYA program undergo a comprehensive training session. During this training, they learn about:

The core principles of global citizenship.
The importance of cultural sensitivity and global awareness.
Leadership and mentoring skills, to prepare them for their role as peer mentors.

The training is designed to ensure that students not only understand the value of cultural exchange but also know how to make a meaningful impact within their school and broader community.
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‍Ongoing Ambassadorship Once students complete the GYA training, they assume their role as an official Global Youth Ambassador. Their duties include:

Acting as a cultural liaison for international students visiting their school.
Facilitating the exchange of ideas, practices, and traditions between students.
Organizing and participating in cultural activities, workshops, and excursions that help international students learn about the host country.
Serving as the face of the program during school events and exchanges, where they will represent their school in a leadership capacity.

‍Cultural Interaction and Exchange Activities As a GYA, students are deeply involved in planning and participating in cultural exchange events such as:

‍Cultural workshops where they teach visiting students about local customs and traditions.
‍Language exchanges where they practice foreign languages and teach their own.
‍Creative arts projects where they work with their international peers on collaborative art pieces that reflect each student’s cultural background.
‍Sports and team-building activities that foster camaraderie and communication between students from different cultural backgrounds.
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‍Host Families Program Host families play an integral part in GYAP. Students from participating schools and their families are given the opportunity to host international students for the duration of their visit, usually ranging from one week to four weeks. Being a host family allows students to further immerse themselves in the cultural exchange process, building lifelong friendships and fostering a deeper understanding of their peers from around the world. Host families are financially compensated for their involvement, making the experience both rewarding and accessible.

The Host Family Program helps create a welcoming environment for international students while allowing local students to experience foreign cultures in their own home. All families undergo thorough safety checks to ensure the well-being and security of all participants.

The Lasting Impact of GYAP
GYAP provides students with more than just cultural awareness; it gives them the tools to make a real difference in their schools and communities. By learning to navigate global issues, develop leadership skills, and build meaningful relationships across cultures, GYA students emerge as well-rounded, globally-minded citizens ready to contribute to a diverse world.

Schools that participate in GYAP also benefit from the program’s comprehensive approach to global learning. Teachers and staff are given access to international professional development opportunities through workshops, conferences, and exchanges, while schools gain valuable resources and credits to further support their educational goals.

By empowering students to become Global Youth Ambassadors, the GYAP not only broadens students’ horizons but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility and community, ensuring that students are prepared to succeed in a globally connected world.

Benefits of the Global Youth Ambassador Project (GYAP)Being a member of the Global Youth Ambassador Project (GYAP) provides a wealth of benefits for students, teachers, schools, and the wider community. These advantages are designed to support cultural exchange, enhance educational opportunities, and foster a global mindset in students.

Key Benefits for Your School Community

‍Free Membership Participation in GYAP is free for schools, making it accessible to a wide range of institutions.

‍Fully Covered Costs for GYAs and Guests All costs for Global Youth Ambassadors and visiting international students are covered through the GYAP network, ensuring an equitable experience for all participants.

‍Opportunities for Lower-Income Families GYAP offers free educational trips abroad for students from lower-income families, providing life-changing global experiences that may not otherwise be accessible.

‍Engaging Opportunities for Targeted Pupils The program opens up new and exciting learning opportunities, especially for targeted or Pupil Premium (PP) students, who benefit from personalized educational and cultural exchanges.

‍Global Network Participation Schools become part of a global network of educational institutions, sharing best practices and creating a rich learning environment for students and staff alike.

‍Immersion Programs GYAP offers term-time immersion programs, holiday clubs, and summer programs, all of which are run within your school. These initiatives cater to both students and members of the community, creating a fully immersive educational experience.

‍Professional Development for Teachers Teachers benefit from Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, including international visits to partner schools, teacher exchanges, and global conferences that enhance professional growth and leadership.

‍Credits for Hosting International Students Schools hosting international students earn credits that can be used for:
Sending local students or teachers on international trips
Purchasing educational equipment
Funding additional educational projects and initiatives

Our Promise to Your School
We understand that schools may have concerns about the potential impact of hosting international students on their regular staff and students. To address this, we provide a bespoke package that caters to your school’s specific needs:

‍Flexible Scheduling: You choose the dates that best suit your school’s calendar.
‍Customizable Group Size and Duration: You determine the number of international students your school can accommodate and for how long.
‍Collaborative Programming: We work with your team to develop a customized and enriching program for both local and international students.
‍On-Hand Support: GYAP staff are available to assist and provide support whenever needed.
‍Screening and Safety: All staff and host families undergo rigorous safety checks, including DBS screenings, to ensure the safety and welfare of every student.

Financial Benefits
Schools are compensated for hosting international students, with payments ranging between $28 and $33 per student per day. For example:
‍1 Week Hosting: 5 days x number of international students x $28 per day
‍2 Week Hosting: 10 days x number of international students x $28 per day
‍3–4 Week Hosting: 15–20 days x number of international students x $33 per day
This compensation helps schools offset costs and allows them to reinvest in educational resources or fund additional projects.

This is the beginning of your student’s journey in becoming a Global Youth Ambassador.

Once your school has confirmed the dates and group size suitable for your school. We will run a short work shop introducing the project and educating students more about China.

Workshops will begin with by teaching student’s basic phases such as ‘hello”, “goodbye”, and “thank you”. The workshop leader will then make sure the student knows where China is located. We will talk briefly about China’s size, population, culture and some famous places for example, The Great Wall of China, The Himalayas, Beijing and Shanghai.

We will run fun practical sessions giving students the chance to practice using chopsticks and creating Chinese lanterns.

Closer to the time of your Chinese students arrive, we will meet with the student you have chosen to become Global Youth Ambassadors. During this session we will discuss what it means to be a Global Ambassador; the benefits, expectations and what is expected during their visitors visit. Students will be given their GYA badges and booklets. When your Chinese students arrive, we will be on hand to help welcome them to your school and students. GYA’s will be involved within this process. A welcome assembly or ceremony will introduce your school and students in more detail with GYA’s giving your guests a tour of your school. Foreign students are then welcomed into their class(es) where they participate in lessons with the rest of your students.

Educational Trips to China
Through the GYAP program schools are able to take part in a number of educational trips abroad, where in most cases funding is fully provided.

Many schools have taken this opportunity to expand their staff CPD opportunities, reward or inspire their staff members. More importantly schools are offering their students the opportunity to gain an unforgettable and inspiring experience, which has shown to have a lasting impact back in the classroom.

Fully Funded Trips to China
The Global Youth Ambassador Project (GYAP) offers unique, fully funded educational trips to China for both staff and students. These experiences provide opportunities for cultural exchange, professional development, and hands-on learning.

Educational Summit for Staff
‍Duration: Fully funded 7–10 day trip.
‍School Visits: Opportunities to visit Chinese schools and learn from their educational practices.
‍Summit Participation: Attend a 1-2 day Educational Summit with over 200 attendees from around the world, focusing on global educational trends, leadership, and collaboration.

Educational Trips for Students
‍Sister School Visits: Students engage in term-time visits to sister schools in China, allowing for immersive cultural exchange and learning.
‍Winter and Summer Panda Camps: Students participate in specialized camps, learning about Chinese wildlife, conservation, and culture.
‍Local Tours: Students explore famous landmarks, such as:
The Great Wall of China
‍The Terracotta Army
‍Other significant cultural sites that provide a deep understanding of China's history and heritage.

Teaching Opportunities for Staff
‍Demo Classes: Teachers have the chance to lead demonstration classes, sharing best practices with Chinese educators.
‍Summer Teaching at Panda Camps: Participate in summer teaching opportunities at the Panda Camps, with an option for an extended cultural tour.
‍Online Teaching: Engage in virtual teaching opportunities to connect with Chinese students from afar.
‍Short and Long-Term Placements: Teachers can apply for short or long-term teaching placements in China, providing valuable international teaching experience.

Note
‍Fully Funded Includes: Flights, accommodation, meals, internal transfers, and tours within China.
‍Visa Costs and Transfers: Visa fees and transfers to/from a US airport are not included in the funding.