When you think about preparing students for success on the global stage, the first thing that likely comes to mind is the competition itself. But at the Global Youth Congress (GYC) International Forum, the journey toward leadership begins well before the event in Orlando. The real transformation happens in the pre-travel preparation phase—where students acquire the vital skills that truly matter, setting them up for success not only at the Forum but in their future careers.
This isn’t just about logistics or paperwork; it’s about shaping future leaders through hands-on experiences, rigorous projects, and tailored training. Read on to discover how this preparation primes students for the demands of global leadership, innovation, and real-world problem-solving.
Why Pre-Travel Preparation is the Key to Success
The Global Youth Congress International Forum is a world-class event that places students in the spotlight of global challenges and opportunities. However, the foundation for their success is laid months before they arrive. Through our carefully crafted pre-travel curriculum, students engage in activities that go beyond academics. This preparation is designed to build skills that top employers—such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Intel—are seeking: leadership, negotiation, public speaking, critical thinking, and project management.
From implementing community projects that push local sustainability initiatives to practicing persuasive presentations, students are equipped with practical experience that hones their ability to think globally and act locally. By the time they board their flights to Orlando, students are ready to tackle the complex issues of our world, armed with both the knowledge and the confidence to make an impact.
Building the Skills That Employers Crave
We interviewed leading professionals from talent acquisition teams at some of the world’s most innovative companies to pinpoint what they are looking for in early-career applicants. Their feedback was unanimous: the key skills that students often lack include leadership, negotiation, time management, public speaking, and project management.
In response, we designed our pre-travel preparation to address these gaps. Students dive into three key projects aimed at improving sustainability in their local communities. These projects not only prepare students to solve real-world problems, but they also align perfectly with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme’s CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) component. This ensures that students are not just fulfilling academic requirements but developing skills that will set them apart in their future careers.
From Local Projects to Global Pitches: Taking Creativity to the Next Level
The heart of the pre-travel preparation lies in the execution of three sustainability-focused projects. Students work on these projects over several months, applying their critical thinking and leadership skills to drive meaningful change within their communities. But it doesn’t end there.
Once these projects are complete, students prepare for the Global Pitches event in Orlando, where they present their ideas on a global stage. However, these aren’t your average presentations. Students use artistic platforms—like musical theater, short films, and dramatic performances—to answer the question: Why should my projects be replicated around the world?
This unique format not only helps students hone their public speaking skills but also pushes them to use English fluently and persuasively, even under pressure. The result? Students who are not only more confident in their language skills but who also understand how to engage and inspire a diverse audience.
From Creativity to Data: The Global Impact Showcase
Creativity is just one part of the puzzle. After their artistic pitches, students must shift gears for the Global Impact Showcase, where they present hard data and measurable results from their projects. This event challenges students to deliver business-like presentations, using statistics and evidence to support their claims.
Here, students sharpen their analytical and project management skills, learning to communicate not only the value of their projects but also how to scale these solutions globally. This exercise prepares them for future roles where they will need to justify their ideas with numbers—whether they’re presenting to stakeholders, pitching a startup, or managing a project in a multinational organization.
Seamless Integration with the IB Diploma Programme
One of the greatest advantages of the GYC pre-travel preparation is how seamlessly it integrates with the IB Diploma Programme. The projects students work on during this phase directly contribute to their CAS portfolio, making it easier to tackle the challenges of the IB DP.
Additionally, the GYC program introduces elements of the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class by encouraging students to deeply analyze the topics at hand. By questioning the ways we know things—through reason, emotion, language, and perception—students develop a more profound understanding of global issues. They critically assess the impact of their projects, exploring questions like How do we know this solution will work across different contexts? and What are the ethical implications of implementing this idea globally? This TOK-inspired analysis helps students connect theory with practice, enriching their academic journey.
More importantly, the skills developed during the GYC pre-travel phase set students up for long-term success. From leadership to time management, students gain confidence in areas that are crucial not only for academic success but for navigating the complexities of their future careers.
The Road to Orlando—and Beyond
By the time students arrive in Orlando for the Global Youth Congress International Forum, they’re more than just participants—they’re prepared leaders. They’ve undergone months of rigorous preparation, fine-tuning their ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and lead with impact. These are the skills that matter, not just in the competition but in life beyond the classroom.
The pre-travel preparation ensures that every student steps into Orlando ready to make their mark—not just in the competition but as a future leader in their field. The journey may start with the Forum, but the skills learned here last a lifetime.
