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In partnership with HGSE GELCHarvard Graduate School of Education · Global Education Leadership Collective

Harvard Global Youth Leadership Bootcamp

An intensive three-day leadership program for students in Grades 8 to 12, guided by mentors from the HGSE Global Education Leadership Collective (HGSE-GELC). Through hands-on modules, participants take on real-world challenges, sharpen a strategic mindset and pick up practical tools to drive meaningful change. Visit HGSE-GELC

Ages 13-18 Grades 8-12 Tsurumi
Enroll now

9:30 AM to 2:30 PM each day. Enroll now and we will confirm the details by email.

  • Grades 8-12High school students.
  • 5-7 January 2027Three consecutive days, one module a day.
  • 9:30 AM–2:30 PMEach of the three days. The detailed schedule is emailed to everyone who enrolls.
  • Horizon Japan International SchoolTsurumi, Yokohama. Held at the school.
  • Tuition¥88,000for the three days, incl. tax
HGSE GELCHarvard Graduate School of Education · Global Education Leadership CollectiveLearn to change the world

About HGSE GELC

The HGSE Global Education Leadership Collective (HGSE GELC), a formally recognised student organisation at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, is grounded in the commitment to “Learn to Change the World.”

HGSE GELC brings together master's and doctoral students who apply their academic learning to global and cross-cultural leadership.

Committed to the highest standards of professional conduct, academic integrity, and ethical representation, HGSE GELC ensures that every mentorship experience reflects the values of collaboration, inclusivity, and responsible leadership, creating a meaningful and globally informed learning environment for every participant.

Visit HGSE-GELC

What you take away

  • CommunicationPresenting ideas with confidence, in discussion and on stage.
  • Critical thinkingRoot-cause analysis and structured problem solving on real challenges.
  • Cross-cultural collaborationWorking in teams with peers from different backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Emotional intelligenceCharacter strengths, self-awareness and leading others well.
  • Strategic mindsetLeadership styles, adaptive leadership and leading change.
  • Networks and confidenceDriven peers and accomplished mentors, and a stronger portfolio for college admissions.

Three days, three modules

  1. Foundations of leadership

    • Mentor Introduction
    • Defining leadership
    • Intro to Character Strengths and their importance for life and survival
    • Input-Root Cause Analysis + Generating solutions
    • Team Pact Exercise
    • What makes a great leader?
    • Pulses, Deltas, and Takeaways (PDTs)

  2. Strategic and adaptive leadership

    • Strategic Leadership: An introduction to Leadership Styles
    • Problem Solving
    • YLC Mentors Leadership Panel
    • Adaptive Leadership
    • Project Work
    • Pulses, Deltas, and Takeaways (PDTs)

  3. Leadership in the digital age

    • Leadership in the digital age
    • Innovation
    • Digital Transformation & Digital Leadership
    • Netflix Case Study
    • Persuasion warmer + Negotiation + Role Plays
    • Finale

Our approach

  • Experiential LearningWe emphasise hands-on, interactive experiences that go beyond traditional classroom learning, engaging students in real-world scenarios that inspire curiosity and encourage practical application.
  • Collaborative ProjectsOur curriculum integrates team-based projects that foster collaboration, encourage diverse perspectives, and empower students to work together to solve meaningful challenges.
  • Developing Critical ThinkersThrough a learner-centric approach, we design engaging activities that strengthen critical thinking, nurture innovation, and equip students to analyse challenges and lead with confidence.

What you might do

  • Team pact exerciseThe group agrees how it will work together before the first challenge.
  • Root-cause analysisTake a real-world problem apart, find what drives it and generate solutions.
  • Mentors' leadership panelHGSE GELC mentors on their own leadership paths, with open questions.
  • Netflix case studyDigital transformation and digital leadership, worked through as a case.
  • Negotiation role playsA persuasion warm-up, then negotiations played out in pairs and teams.
  • Pulses, Deltas and TakeawaysEach day closes with what landed, what to change and what to keep.

You are a student who…

  • Wants to strengthen your portfolio for future college admissions.
  • Wants to develop a stronger leadership mindset.
  • Wants to hone your networking and collaboration skills.
  • Wants to become more confident in communicating and presenting ideas.
  • Wants to learn how to approach complex, real-world challenges.
  • Wants to work with peers from different backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Wants to develop practical skills that extend beyond the classroom.

The Global Education Leadership Collective (HGSE- GELC) connects students who share an interest in global education, leadership, and cross-cultural learning.

Grounded in GELS's mission to ‘Learn to Change the World,’ GELC seeks to build community through dialogue, shared learning, and reflective practice, creating space for students to explore international education opportunities, challenges, issues of equity and culture, and real-world applications of their academic work.

Through collaborative workshops, discussions, and preparation for potential international education opportunities, GELC members will strengthen their leadership capacity while enhancing their academic experience and preparing to engage thoughtfully in diverse educational contexts.

Chassity K. CostonFounding President of HGSE-GELCHGSE, Ed.L.D. Candidate (Doctoral Program)

Your mentors

Mentors from HGSE GELC

Harvard Graduate School of Education, Global Education Leadership Collective

Master's and doctoral students who blend academic excellence with real-world leadership experience. They work alongside students rather than lecturing, encouraging questions, idea-sharing, critical thinking and confidence through interactive discussions, hands-on activities and experiential learning.

Parents often ask

Students in Grades 8 to 12 who want to strengthen their portfolio for college admissions, build a leadership mindset, sharpen networking and collaboration skills, become more confident presenting ideas, learn to approach complex real-world challenges and work with peers from different backgrounds.

5 to 7 January 2027, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM each day, at Horizon Japan International School in Tsurumi, Yokohama.

Student mentors from the HGSE Global Education Leadership Collective (HGSE GELC), a community of master's and doctoral students at the Harvard Graduate School of Education dedicated to global education, international leadership and cross-cultural learning. They blend academic excellence with real-world leadership experience, and work alongside students rather than lecturing: questions, idea-sharing, critical thinking and confidence-building are encouraged throughout.

A formally recognised student organisation at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, grounded in the commitment to "Learn to Change the World". It brings together master's and doctoral students who apply their academic learning to global and cross-cultural leadership, and holds every mentorship to the highest standards of professional conduct, academic integrity and ethical representation.

Experiential learning: hands-on, interactive sessions built around real-world scenarios rather than classroom instruction. Collaborative projects: team-based work that brings in diverse perspectives. A learner-centric approach: activities that strengthen critical thinking, nurture innovation and equip students to analyse challenges and lead with confidence.

¥88,000 including tax, one payment for the three days, made when you register and before the course starts.

Reserve a place

Enroll in the program. We reply within 1 business day to confirm the details.

1When
Dates

5-7 January 2027

One registration covers all the days. There is no sign-up for single days.

2Who is coming

Your confirmation goes here.

Only if we need to reach you about the date.

No payment is taken unless the page says so above. We never share your details.

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