Global Scholar is a two-week academic seminar for high school juniors and seniors with an interest in international affairs and global issues. The program features college-level classroom lectures taught by professors, authors and other experts, as well as workshops on leadership development and college preparation. Other program activities include a two-day visit to Washington, DC, an interactive Global Governance simulation in which students take on the roles of international leaders to address global challenges, and the “Campaign Idol” competition, in which students learn how to craft a campaign to create change in their schools and communities.

Global Scholar is a project of Americans for Informed Democracy, a non-profit organization that empowers and equips young people in the United States to address global issues such as poverty, disease, climate change, and conflict through awareness and action. AID promotes just and sustainable solutions at the campus, community, and national level. AID’s program directors and staff contribute their expertise to students’ experience at Global Scholar, and continue to support graduates in their continuing academic and professional endeavors.

Global Scholar is hosted on the beautiful campus of Washington and Lee University in historic Lexington, Virginia, and offers students a great introduction to campus life. Students can engage in extra-curricular activities including community volunteering, sports, movies nights, and ever-popular visits to Sweet Things Ice Cream Shoppe.

Past Global Scholars have gone on to top universities including Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University. Every class graduates not only with a new knowledge and awareness of international affairs but with great memories and a group of life-long friends.

Global Scholar 2009 will take place July 11-25, 2009 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. The cost for the 15-day program is $2,000, which covers room, board, classroom materials, extra-curricular activities and a two-day visit to Washington, DC. Travel to and from the program is not included in this price.

Need- and merit-based scholarships are available.