FOR PROGRAM LEADERS & EDUCATORS

Your Class is Invited!

A Fully Funded Global Experience, Built for the Classroom

Our flagship event, the Global Citizens Challenge is a fully funded, four-day virtual event held every February. This program is ideal for classroom projects, homework assignments, or independent student enrichment. Since 2020, the GCC has brought global cultures directly to students' desks through live panels, interactive sessions, PenPal exchanges, the International Action Hub, and professional workshops.

With students from 106 countries already engaged across eight challenges, the GCC helps your students form lasting cross-cultural friendships, strengthen digital collaboration and social-impact skills, and hear directly from global professionals about future career paths.

Our full year-round programming includes:

Flyer for the Global Citizens Challenge, an online event held every February with live panels, interactive sessions, and professional workshops.
Flyer for PENPAL Virtual Exchange, an ongoing series held year-round and virtual, connecting small groups of students abroad for ongoing cross-cultural dialogue.
Information about on-location workshops every August in one city for the Student Youth Travel Conference.
Step 1: Sign up your group. Register for a fully funded experience accessed from your classroom.
Slide with blue circle containing number 2 and text 'Meet Your Director'. Subtext about setting up time with Rachel Head to plan schedule and get content, workshops, and panels.
Section number 3 with a blue circle, title 'Download the Guide', and description about obtaining a Teacher's Guide after registration, including activities, scripts, and support.
Text promoting a 4-day February challenge with instructions to stay connected through PenPal Sessions throughout the year.
Start Now
A woman smiling and holding a sign that says 'Your Big Year' with a hashtag #makethisyourbigyear, standing in a busy, brightly lit city area with crowds and tall buildings, possibly Times Square at night.

WHY IT MATTERS

Travel is often out of reach for many students: school budget cuts, awareness gaps, and economic barriers keep meaningful cultural exchange from too many young people.

The GCC removes those barriers. It gives students a safe space to explore cultural connections, build confidence, strengthen employability, and grow empathy, all without leaving the classroom.

Program results show the GCC increases students' interest in other cultures and their overall motivation to learn.

A man sitting cross-legged on a running track, holding a small cup in one hand and a laptop in the other, with a palm tree-lined background. The laptop screen displays the words 'YOUR BIG YEAR', and there is a water bottle and a bag nearby.

WHAT YOU GET AS A PARTICIPATING EDUCATOR

✓ Teacher’s Guide
Activities, scripts, and facilitation support, ready to use.

✓ Orientation Session
Live or pre-recorded introduction for your students, on your schedule.

✓ Access to Reflections
Read the reflections your students submit upon completion.

✓ Dedicated Point of Contact
A team member supporting you before, during, and after the challenge.

✓ Participation Tracking
Daily tracking of attendance and progress, so you know who needs a nudge.

✓ Schedule Alignment
We’ll work to align at least one live session with your class period.

A woman standing in a narrow European-style street with old buildings on either side. Text overlay says 'YOUR BIG YEAR' in large, neon-style letters.

EXAMPLES OF HOW EDUCATORS USE THE GCC

Logo with a geometric red paper airplane icon and the text 'World Languages' in red, and 'Students practice speaking with peers from the language's home countries.' in blue.
Graphic with a red paper airplane icon labeled 'Global Studies,' and blue text stating 'Used as the hands-on requirement for a cultural connections unit.'
Logo with a red geometric emblem above the word "HUMANITIES" in red, and a blue text below that reads "A reflection topic for a essay about experiencing other cultures."
A graphic with a red geometric symbol and the word 'GEOGRAPHY' in red capital letters, followed by the blue text: 'Extra-credit points awarded for reporting back on the experience.'
Teachers recommend seal in white, blue, and red colors with bold text.

“Our students come from many communities across Northern and Central New Jersey. We have a mix of students from various socioeconomic backgrounds and cannot afford cultural exchange programs. This is why the Your Big Year Global Citizens Challenge is a life-changing experience for our youth.”

- The Craig School, New Jersey

COMMON QUESTIONS

Read our FAQ sheet for a complete list of questions/answers.

Who can sign up for classes?
Educators, program leaders, organizations and parents! Youth should be 15-20 years old. There are some exceptions to this age group where we have had groups of 14 year olds participate. Please speak to Rachel Head with your inquiries. 

How do you ensure the classroom is prepared?
We work closely with each educator, including a dedicated orientation for your class and a GCC point of contact available throughout the entire program.

When should I apply?
We suggest applying at least one month before the challenge so we can coordinate timing with your classroom.

Three smiling girls at a retail store, making peace signs with their hands. They are wearing red shirts that say "Your Big Year" and are surrounded by other shoppers and store displays.
A series of five calendar pages showing important dates: May 5, September 16, October 15, November 18, and December 2.

UPCOMING PENPAL SESSIONS:

Four calendar pages showing dates February 25, 26, 27, and 28.

UPCOMING GLOBAL CITIZENS CHALLENGE

APPLICATION DEADLINE

For better classroom experience, we suggest you apply at least one month prior to the challenge so we can coordinate time with your classroom. Read our FAQ sheet of commonly asked questions. If you have further queries, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

CONTACT US