Summits blend an educational tour with a dynamic, multi-day leadership conference, and are open to rising ninth-graders through graduated seniors. Students from all over come together to build essential skills needed for their futures by tackling real global challenges in teams. Each year, Summit ends with a live pitch-off, where the winning student project is showcased at the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden.
EF Global Leadership Summits
Where students discover their power to lead, innovate, and make a difference
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What is an EF Global Leadership Summit?
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Hear from changemakers
Join workshops and discussions with Nobel laureates, UN leaders, and icons like Jane Goodall and Al Gore—pushing students to think bigger and lead change.
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Go on an educational tour
Every Summit experience is anchored to an educational tour where students dig into the leadership conference’s theme while also exploring new places and cultures.
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Tackle global challenges
Students team up for a project-based challenge on the Summit theme. They’ll identify a global issue, ideate solutions, and develop a final prototype over three days.
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Compete in a pitch-off
Groups learn about public-speaking, craft a project pitch, and present their work. The winning prototype earns a place of honor at the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm.
Student growth, super-charged
EF Global Leadership Summits are uniquely crafted using our educational method. Summits take learning beyond the classroom by engaging students in real-world experiences and project-based challenges. Through this approach, students develop essential future-ready skills that prepare them for success in college and their careers.
Students discover how small actions can drive meaningful global change. They’ll be inspired by thought leaders and peers while building confidence to bring their big ideas to life.
Summits accelerate college readiness by helping students develop important skills like critical thinking, communication, and cultural awareness. The experience also boosts college applications and makes for a standout entry essay. Plus, in 2027, students can earn actual college credit as part of their Summit experience.
Students work closely in small teams with peers from all around the world, naturally building more empathy, open-mindedness, and curiosity as they collaborate and share ideas.
By tackling global issues and prototyping solutions together, students discover that progress is rarely linear. This process builds flexibility, resilience, and comfort with uncertainty as they adapt and refine their final projects.
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Choose your EF Global Leadership Summit
Prague: Social Responsibility
Embark on a specially designed educational tour through Europe and come together on July 9–11, 2027 for our three-day leadership conference in Prague, Czech Republic. We’ll uncover ways to make meaningful change in the world we all share, and discover how the next generation of leaders can create a future rooted in empathy, engagement, and ethical action. Plus, students can earn 3 college credits as part of their Summit experience—at no extra cost.
Gdańsk, Warsaw & Leadership Conference
11 days
Czech Republic, Poland
July 6–16, 2027
Embark on a guided tour focused on the nonviolent Velvet Revolution
Explore the fight against communism at the European Solidarity Centre
Visit Stutthof Concentration Camp, one of the last camps to be liberated
Learn how to make pierogi, a traditional dumpling and national dish of Poland
Munich, Berlin & Leadership Conference
10 days
Germany, Czech Republic
July 5–14, 2027
Learn how communities respond to the refugee crisis at a local NGO
See the Lennon Wall, Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle on a guided tour
Take a cooking class led by refugees and uncover their personal stories
See Brandenburg Gate, remains of the Berlin Wall, and Checkpoint Charlie
Germany, Switzerland & Leadership Conference
11 days
Frankfurt, Heidelberg region, Lucerne region, Zurich, Prague
July 2–12, 2027
Cruise on a boat powered by solar energy
Learn how hydropower is used at a local power plant
Take an ethical chocolate tour
Discover Switzerland’s commitment to sustainable tourism and living
Vienna, Budapest & Leadership Conference
10 days
Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary
July 5–14, 2027
Learn how countries work together through international issues at the United Nations
Embark on a guided tour focused on the nonviolent Velvet Revolution
Explore democracy at the Hungarian Parliament Building
Meet local organizations working at the Auroa Community House
Scotland, England & Leadership Conference
12 days
Edinburgh, Cheshire region, Birmingham region, London, Prague
July 1–12, 2027
Partake in a Q&A with members of the Scottish Parliament
Learn about the history of crime at the Nottingham National Justice Museum
Take a tour of London led by those affected by homelessness
Explore the nonviolent Velvet Revolution
Budapest, Kraków & Leadership Conference
10 days / Add 2 extra days in Berlin
Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic
July 3–12, 2027
Learn about living through fascist and communist regimes in the 20th century at the House of Terror Museum
Take a guided tour of Auschwitz and Birkenau
Visit the Military History Institute to explore how societies respond to crisis
Partake in a street art workshop and see how communities express recovery
Paris & Leadership Conference
9 days / Add 3 extra days in Barcelona
Prague, France
July 7–15, 2027
Embark on a guided tour focused on the nonviolent Velvet Revolution
Learn about equality and justice at the Paris Human Rights Center
See the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, and Champs-Élysées
Visit the Conciergerie, a famous prison during the French Revolution
Brussels, Amsterdam & Leadership Conference
10 days
Belgium, Netherlands, Czech Republic
July 3–12, 2027
Explore responsible AI development at the European Commission
Learn about AI opportunities at the University of Amsterdam
Take part in an immersive scavenger hunt through Amsterdam
Connect with researchers at Vrije Universiteit
London & Leadership Conference
9 days
Czech Republic, England
July 7–15, 2027
Learn about centuries of Jewish life and persecution in Prague’s Jewish Quarter
See Big Ben, St. Paul’s Cathedral, The Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace.
Take a tour of London led by those affected by homelessness
Visit the London Supreme Court to see where human rights cases are decided
Italy & Leadership Conference
11 days
Rome, Naples, Prague
July 2–13, 2027
Explore sustainable farming practices at a family-run olive oil farm
Learn about traditional techniques at a pizza-making workshop
Interact with vendors and learn about seasonal products at a local market
Explore Prague’s Old Town on a food-themed tour
Leadership Conference, England & Scotland
12 days
Prague, London, Birmingham region, Cheshire region, Edinburgh
July 7–18, 2027
Explore the nonviolent Velvet Revolution
Take a tour of London led by those affected by homelessness
Learn about the history of crime at the Nottingham National Justice Museum
Partake in a Q&A with members of the Scottish Parliament
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what’s included
Everything that’s packed into an EF Global Leadership Summit
Your students’ price covers it all—round-trip flights, transportation, guided tours, and every detail you haven’t even thought of yet. All your students have to do? Show up ready to try new things, explore new places, discover new interests, and make new friends.
The EF tour experience
We’ll book it all for you—transportation, an expert Tour Director and local guides, hotels, select meals, guided tours, and more.
The Summit experience
Everything during the three-day conference is covered—workshops, keynote sessions, meals, and more.
Industry-leading safety measures
EF staff are on the ground in 114 countries, ready to support you 24/7. With 60+ years of experience, we’re prepared for anything.
A whole wide world of support
We’ll help you plan every detail, get your students and families excited, and make sure you feel confident and ready to go.
Frequently asked questions
Let’s unpack that
EF Global Leadership Summits are open to students who are rising ninth-graders through graduated seniors (roughly 14–18 year olds). Groups primarily travel from all across North America, with about 15% of attendees coming from all over the world.
For educators:
Get in touch! We’ll connect you to your personal Tour Consultant—an expert who works with teachers in your area and specializes in planning EF Global Leadership Summits. They’ll explain the Summit experience, help you choose the right itinerary, guide you through getting students and families excited to sign up, and provide your personalized price quote.
For students and parents:
You’ll need an educator to already be leading a group within your community. If your school doesn’t have a group yet, share this page (and our blog detailing what happens at Summit!) with a teacher who might be interested!
No, to attend the multi-day leadership conference, you must travel on an EF Global Leadership Summit tour. The leadership conference takes place once a year, so your tour dates need to match exactly. Summit tours are also specially designed to connect with the leadership conference’s theme and programming, unlike other EF tours.
No. When students enroll on an EF Global Leadership Summit, they’re expected to attend and take part in all leadership conference programming. This includes interactive workshops, discussions with global thought leaders, creative problem-solving with peers, and project presentations. We make sure the experience is engaging and fun from start to finish—with plenty of brain breaks, dance breaks, and snack breaks.
The leadership conference is held once a year on specific dates, and will happen before, after, or between your corresponding educational tour. Check out the exact dates for upcoming Summits and see available itineraries—we recommend planning ahead to secure your group’s spot.
Yes! You earn a free spot on tour as soon as six paying travelers enroll. For every additional six paying travelers, you earn another free spot for an adult chaperone. For example, if 30 students sign up, that’s four free chaperone spots.
Yes! As an accredited institution, EF offers academic courses for both students and educators traveling on a Summit. These courses follow our educational philosophy, the EF Method, and are designed to deepen travelers’ learning experience before, during, and after tour.
Once a teacher has started planning and students have signed up for a Summit tour, they can enroll in one of our courses. The deadline for registering and beginning coursework is 60 days before your Summit tour departs, as there are required pre-travel assignments in addition to ones that learners complete during and after tour.
As part of the 2027 Global Leadership Summit experience, students can earn 3 college credits at no extra cost! They’ll still need to enroll in the course 60 days before departure, but EF will waive their registration fee.
Every EF Global Leadership Summit offers a dedicated Professional Learning track for adult learners. Adults attend exclusive workshops, hear from global changemakers in small-group settings, and network with other educators from around the world. The programming is designed to challenge and inspire, with a variety of hands-on sessions and activities to choose from—all focused on the leadership conference theme and the future of education.
If you’re attending an upcoming Summit, you’ll receive the full list of speakers and partner organizations about two months before you depart. We’ll send all the details directly to you and your travelers’ emails, so keep an eye on your inbox!
Let’s save your spot
Whether you’re ready to start planning an EF Global Leadership Summit for your students or have additional questions, we’re here to help.