Hands-On International Business Experience for Faculty and Students
“Helping Small Businesses Succeed Since 2008”
The Global Business Academy provides high school students and faculty with the unique opportunity to gain hands-on international business experience while helping small businesses in under-resourced communities grow, improving the local economy and providing opportunities to families where they need it most.
On each program, students gain 30+ hours of hands-on business experience working directly small businesses and entrepreneurs in Belize, Panama, or Greece. Alongside our professional business team, students meet with clients, conduct assessments, create deliverables and present actionable solutions that will help that business grow. Each Business Academy also includes fun and engaging cultural and enrichment activities each day that allow the students to immerse in the local country.
Global Brigades professional and experienced in-country team will meet the students at the airport and organize all food, lodging, transportation, and logistics during their stay. Faculty travel for free and support students on their learning journey.
We invite you to join a Summer Academy or organize your own Custom Date Academy for your students!
Organize Your Own Business Academy
Create your perfect Business Academy!
For faculty-led groups of 12+ students, Global Brigades can work with you to build a custom Business Academy of 7-10 days designed to meet your goals and objectives, including customized itineraries and optional enrichment activity add-ons. For these programs, you can choose custom dates, any time of the year.
Our amazing international team will work with you to build and implement the Business Academy that fits your needs and provides you and your student group with the experience of a lifetime. Two faculty travel at NO COST with 12+ students.
2027 Business Academy Programs
2027
Belize – June 6-13
Greece – June 13-20
Panama – June 20-27
Greece – June 27 – July 4
Belize – July 4-11
Where We Work
Program Learning Outcomes
By the end of Global Business Academy, students will have strengthened their ability to:
- Utilize business consulting frameworks to identify opportunities for increased income and resolve financial challenges of small rural businesses
- Provide capacity building workshops to the community business leaders to improve their business strategies and inspire proper marketing and management practices.
- Work alongside international business professionals who will mentor you through the consulting process and support you to create relevant and impactful deliverables.
- Explore local historical sites, including the Panama Canal in Panama, the Acropolis in Greece and Mayan ruins in Belize, as well as engage in cultural activities to deepen your understanding of the local culture, history and economy.
Students don’t just observe in the client meetings — they get hands-on practice in a real-world business setting, helping bring impactful solutions to entrepreneurs while creating meaningful connections across cultures.
Global Business Academy also includes:
Cultural Learning
In each partner country, students and faculty will be immersed in the local culture and will be introduced to some of the region’s most beautiful traditions. For example, in Belize, students will learn from locals how to cook cassava pudding or practice “Cayetano” inspired artwork.
Enrichment Activities
All of our program countries offer optional add-on enrichment activities. In Panama, the options include an overnight trip to Soberania National Park excursion, a day trip to Monkey Island, or a Boat Tour of the Panama Canal.
Local Tourism
In addition to the optional enrichment activities, all groups will spend at least an afternoon or two enjoying local tourist sites as part of their trip.
This might include a guided visit to Maya ruins, a trip to a local beach, or a walk through the jungle.
Testimonials
“I will always lead high school programs with Global Brigades as it provides my students and I with an opportunity to do meaningful volunteer work that allows us to make genuine contact with the target community. It also allows for students to experience a country and its culture in an off the beaten path way. I love everything about their mission and the programs that they run and can’t wait for the next one!”
“This is our second program and I’m already planning trips three and four. Watching the growth and heart for service in my students is one of the most rewarding experiences. Every student went home with a more grateful attitude, sincere understanding of their daily blessings, and a true want to help others in need. I’ll be taking students on trips with Global Brigades for years to come.”
“Global Brigades is a program that all your students will remember for the rest of their lives. We keep going back to a new country, a new experience of the heart.”
“This was an invaluable experience for our students to not only learn about another culture but to realize the impact they can have on local communities.”