FAQ

What exactly is the purpose of the Global Next?

The purpose of Global Next is to collect unique research and insights from around the world and to use that information in domestic educational conferences and international leadership conferences. Global Next focuses on issues of interpersonal relationships, communication skills, leadership development, trends, cultural shifts and geo-political shifts.

Global Next's Leadership Institute provides students and adults with opportunities for international travel, practical leadership training, networking and humanitarian service opportunities. Its purpose is to allow students to see the world in context, to understand the needs of the world and to prepare for leadership roles and a life of purpose.

Is Global Next a Travel Organization?

Global Next is a research group and leadership institute. We are not a travel organization. Global Next hosts high quality educational/leadership conferences in unique locations around the world that are open to select high school and college students as well as adults. While we are not a travel company, Global Next does provide tours and site visits for each conference that support the educational/leadership purposes of each conference. (Please visit www.globalnext.org for complete itineraries of conferences) We also network with travel solution providers to assist you in arranging your flights for each conference.

Who is allowed to participate in the International Leadership Institute Conferences?

Different international conferences are designed for different groups including high school students, college students and adults.

Global Next works with 9th -12th grade students who receive recommendations from their school administrator, teacher or youth worker. Students do not have to be straight "A" students, or honor students, though they might be. We are looking for students who possess leadership skills or potential and a heart for the world and for others.

Global Next also offers conferences for college students as well as adults. These are offered in the summer or at the special request of a group. College students have been permitted to attend select high school leadership conferences that are offered throughout the school year. There are however, "college-specific" conferences as well.

Currently, high school and college students may attend the "How to Build a Life" conference in Cairo, Egypt and college students and young adults are eligible to attend the "Middle East Effect" conference in Jerusalem. Both of these programs are offered in June of each year. College and adult groups of more than 20 paying participants can request any conference of their choice for a private conference on the dates of their choice.

What does a school recommendation consist of?

The school administrator, teacher or youth worker of any prospective participant simply needs to sign off on the student's application. The signature indicates the recommendation of the student.

What does the price of the conference cover?

The price of the conference covers hotel accommodations and taxes, ground transportation, two meals a day, entrance into all sites/activities (per itinerary), local guides (per itinerary), leadership training materials and leadership trainer.

Airfare is not included in the price, but Global Next works with travel agents to help set up students' flights. Students will need additional money only for lunch, snacks, souvenirs and an optional tip for bus drivers and/or local guides.

Who provides the leadership training and materials?

Dr. Phil Johnson, founder and president of Global Next is the writer, designer and presenter of these unique study abroad leadership programs. All materials are crafted to be practical, humorous and life changing and are integrated into the cultural experience. In addition, the Global Next Research Group and Educational Advisory Committees help shape the quality of all conference materials.

Where do I send applications and payments?

Participants can fill out and submit applications for study abroad conferences directly online at: www.globalnext.org. If you prefer, you may also print out the application and mail it along with payments to: Global Next, PO Box 2215, Frisco, Texas 75034. Make all checks payable to Global Next.

How do students raise the funds for trips?

Some families have the resources to simply pay for the trip/conference. Other students send out letters to raise support from friends and family who are interested in student development. Some students participate in fund-raising activities. Still other students have obtained jobs to help finance this opportunity. And of course, there are many who do a combination of all these things! Global Next is not non-profit, but payment for this educational experience may be tax deductible. Please check with your accountant for details.

What happens if a student signs up for a trip and then chooses to cancel?

Please refer to the Global Next web site for all policies regarding cancellations, refunds and optional trip cancellation insurance.

Is it safe to participate in international conferences since 9/11 and the War in Iraq?

Global Next monitors the State Department Travel Advisories. Groups have continued their travel plans successfully prior to, during and after the events of 9/11, the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other related global events. All have reported safe airport conditions and favorable response to Americans studying abroad. Safety measures have been so drastically improved for airports, that travelers are probably safer now than they ever have been.

Ultimately, safety rests only in the hands of God. If a warning is issued for the location of one of our conferences, we would simply reroute that conference to a safer location if possible. If you feel uncomfortable about the risk of losing money due to a change in events that is beyond the control of Global Next, please consider purchasing trip cancellation insurance through the third-party provider, Travel Guard. (www.travelguard.com) Global Next is not responsible for trip cancellations that are beyond our control.

What supervision is provided for each trip?

Dr. Phil Johnson acts as the group leader and leadership trainer for each conference. Student groups traveling from different schools or regions of the country may choose their own chaperone. A chaperone who recruits 7 paying students may attend the conference for free. (This does not include airfare for the chaperone.) Ultimately, there is approximately one adult chaperone per seven to ten student travelers.

Is any health/accident insurance included in the price of the trip?

It is first important to note that one of Global Next’s top priorities is conference participant safety. Each conference is structured to minimize opportunities for any mishaps. Global Next provides emergency medical coverage for each student that is designed to act as a secondary coverage to cover anything your primary policy would not cover. This coverage is included in the price of your trip and includes $100,000 of emergency medical expense coverage. You are also covered for emergency medical evacuation (up to $500,000 lifetime) political evacuation (up to $10,000) and terrorism (up to $50,000 maximum lifetime) as well as a variety of other issues. Global Next recommends Travel Guard Insurance for participants wishing to obtain additional insurance coverage or trip cancellation insurance. You can find out more about Travel Guard at: www.travelguard.com.

Will students need a passport for travel?

Yes, all students will need passports for travel. Passports need to be valid for at least six months past the dates of the conference. Currently, VISAS are not necessary for US citizens for the locations of our leadership conferences with the exception of Egypt where visas can be purchased when you enter the country. Foreign students need to check for their own visa requirements and are responsible for acquiring their appropriate VISA before traveling.

Where will students stay while traveling?

Generally, students stay in hotels when traveling. All hotels are at least 3 stars and are centrally located. We will provide participants with the phone numbers and addresses for each hotel for each night of the conference. The only time students do not stay in hotels is when they are studying at Oxford University. In this case, students stay in student housing on campus.

From which airport do students fly?

Students and student groups have the opportunity to choose their own departure airport. Global Next partners with Group Travel Specialists which helps set up participants’ flights. Once you’ve registered for a conference, simply contact Group Travel Specialists's airline experts (k2@atrmissions.com)and they will provide you (or your group) with all of your flight options. (Phone: 866.439.9457) All contact information and details for flight scheduling is available at: www.globalnext.org under the registration process link.

Who sets up the flights for individual and group participants?

While Global Next is not a travel organization, we do partner with Group Travel Specialists to help participants set up their flights for each conference. (Contact Person: Kimberly Kroll - k2@atrmissions.com) Individuals and groups do not have to use Group Travel Specialists, you are more than welcome to use another travel agent or book the flights yourself online. When booking individually, or with another travel agent, please check with Global Next first so that you are aware of the arrival window of the conference to insure that you arrive in a time frame to receive transportation from the airport to the hotel with the rest of the conference participants.

Are any free trips allotted for these programs?

One adult chaperone may attend the conference for free for every seven fully paid students. (This is an $1000-$1400 value, depending upon which conference you are attending.) This does not include the chaperone’s airfare. There are generally no free chaperone spots available for college student and adult travel.

Can students earn high school or college credit for travel?

Each International Leadership Study Abroad Conference is educational in nature. Global Next works with an Educational Advisory Committee, consisting of quality educators from around the US to ensure that each course meets or surpasses state educational requirements. Global Next's educational requirements include pre-trip reading and writing, on-trip participation in daily training, workbook completion, daily journaling, an interview project and a follow up post-trip project. Global Next provides a transcript of study to the student or school following the conference and the student's completion of all assignments. If a student does not complete the high school credit requirements, he still receives a transcript stating that he "audited" the course. Colleges look favorably upon students who have already studied abroad in high school

We also provide college students with a learning contract to present to their college advisor. In our experience, colleges are anxious for their students to participate in accelerated study abroad programs and generally 3 credits are awarded. Colleges may add additional requirements in order for students to receive college credit.

Can students bring cell phones, computers or iPods on conferences?