Squads Abroad is a 501c3 non-profit organization under our parent company Global Brigades, a Platinum Level Guidestar member for Financial Transparency. Since 2004, our organization has collectively mobilized more than 70,000 international volunteers to help resolve global health and economic disparities around the world.
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Join a Summer Business Academy!

We invite high school students and faculty to join an upcoming Global Business Academy, an 8-day business consulting program in Panama, Greece or Belize this summer. Faculty are encouraged to travel with 3 or more of their brightest students to provide them with hands-on international consulting experience and give them a step ahead for college applications. Students can also travel on their own as individual participants.

During each 8-day Business Academy, students will:

  • Consult Clients: Work directly with small businesses and entrepreneurs in Belize, Panama, or Greece.
  • Gain Experience: Get 30+ documented consulting hours — meeting clients, conducting assessments, creating deliverables, and presenting actionable solutions.
  • Make an Impact: Provide meaningful business and marketing deliverables and financial services to entrepreneurs abroad.

The program also includes fun and engaging cultural and enrichment activities each day. We will meet the students at the airport and organize all food, lodging, transportation, and logistics during their stay.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Open to high school students and faculty (Graduated high school freshmen through seniors)
  • No consulting experience is required as our team will train students in all best practices, but their skills and knowledge will certainly help elevate their impact and make the experience more meaningful.

Get more info

2026 - 2027 Business Academy Programs

2026

Greece – June 14-21

Belize – June 21-28

 

2027

Belize – June 6-13

Greece – June 13-20

Panama – June 20-27

Greece – June 27 – July 4

Belize – July 4-11

 

View the Program Handout
Fill Out The Interest Form

At the Business Academy, you will:

  1. Utilize business consulting frameworks to identify opportunities for increased income and resolve financial challenges of small rural businesses
  2. Provide capacity building workshops to the community business leaders to improve their business strategies and inspire proper marketing and management practices.
  3. Work alongside international business professionals who will mentor you through the consulting process and support you to create relevant and impactful deliverables.
  4. 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.

Fill out an interest form today to receive more information and begin your journey into international business and marketing! Once we receive your application, we will invite you for a short phone interview. Once you are selected, we will begin the travel planning process.

We are here to help you through it all!

View the program overview

Program Details

Program Fee

$2900* per student including airfare** for Belize and Panama

$3900* per student including airfare** for Greece

1 Faculty chaperone FREE (with 3+ students)

* includes all food, lodging, transport, staffing, travel insurance, advertised activities, and contributions to the local entrepreneurs
** includes airfare up to $1000 for Belize/Panama and $1800 for Greece. There may be additional costs of airfare depending on your final flight costs based on your specific departure city.

Day-to-Day Activities

Day 1:

Arrival and Orientation

Our staff will meet you and your fellow Academy program participants at the airport and provide transport to a hotel in the city for orientation and preparation. You will be introduced to our team and get to know everyone.

Day 2:

Training and First Client Meeting

Begin the day with a business training and then attend your first meeting with a local client.

Days 3-5:

Client Meetings, Preparation of Deliverables and Cultural Immersion

Each day, you will meet with your client and have the chance to understand their challenges. During this time, you will also begin developing the deliverables in preparation for your Final Presentation to the client.

In the afternoons, you will have a chance to explore the local region, experience the culture and learn more about the country.

Day 6:

Final Client Meeting + Presentation

In your final Client Meeting, you will present your recommendations to the client to help them address some of their business challenges.

After lunch, you will visit a local tourist site to relax and enjoy the beauty of the region.

Days 7-8:

Cultural Activities, Sightseeing and Departure

Students enjoy cultural activities and explore local tourist sites before returning to the city for final evening reflections, celebrations, and departure. Friends and family will be excited to hear the many amazing stories, friendships, and discoveries you made!

Schedule a call to Learn More

Start a Business Consulting Chapter!

Global Brigades can organize a business consulting program specifically for you and your classmates to travel abroad for 7-10 days to a country of your choice (Belize, Panama, Ghana, Greece). Each group requires a minimum of 10 students and at least one faculty advisor (faculty travels for free).

If you are a leader in an existing business club on campus, we can also support you to organize a consulting trip and share this trip with your members. This is a great way to bring real hands-on consulting experience to students interested in building their international business consulting skills.

Please schedule a call to learn more and begin the process of planning a trip for your university or college.

Take the Global Business Challenge!

Compete against students around the world to provide top consulting deliverables to businesses abroad.

APRADESFED, a community-based farming association in Santa Fe, Darién, Panama needs help to overcome challenges like high electricity costs and water scarcity while providing both food security and income opportunities for its members. Can you be the help they are seeking?”

This program can be done completely online, at your own pace. Feel free to fill out an interest form and we can send you more information.