What is GYLS? Sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC), the 2008 Global Young Leaders Summit (GYLS) takes place in China, and is designed to motivate and inspire top college-bound students from across the globe. Inspired by speakers, faculty advisors and its Pacific Ocean-based simulation, scholars discuss and debate various issues, providing the opportunity to practice and hone leadership, communication, networking and persuasion skills. Current topics and issues that directly correlate to changes in the region will be explored including security, human rights, trade, labor and democratization. Through these hands-on experiences, scholars learn to evaluate critical information, form and advocate positions and make decisions.

Who participates in GYLS? GYLS accepts alumni from the Global Young Leaders Summit, Global Young Leaders Conference, National Young Leaders Conference, National Young Leaders State Conference or the Junior National Young Leaders Conference.

What does GYLS tuition cover? Tuition covers the expenses incurred by CYLC in planning and implementing the program. Included in the tuition costs are housing, transportation while at the Summit, two meals a day, curriculum materials and compensation for the faculty advisors. The only costs not covered by the tuition are any personal spending money used for souvenirs, snacks and other incidentals. For U.S. students, air transportation from the designated U.S. departure gateway city is provided. Scholars not using air transportation from the designated U.S. gateway departure city are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Summit site.

Where will I stay while at GYLS? Students and staff reside at city center accessible 4-star hotels in Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai.

How are students supervised? Our staff includes faculty advisors, who serve as educational facilitators and chaperones, in-country guides and operations personnel, as well as the program director. The student-to-staff ratio is 20-to-1.

Once I submit an Enrollment Application and tuition payment, what happens? Is a space guaranteed? Once you have been invited to attend GYLS, you should follow the guidelines below to ensure that you are enrolled in the Summit. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to apply early.

• To secure your space right away, enroll directly online using your Student ID, or complete the personalized Enrollment Application located in the invitation and return it along with full tuition or deposit payment to our Office of Admissions. Please note, incomplete applications may delay enrollment.
• Once your Enrollment Application and tuition are complete, we will review availability. Should GYLS be full, you will be placed on a waitlist and payment will not be processed.
• If you are accepted, we will send an acceptance package with more detailed information.

Can special dietary needs be met? All dietary needs (vegetarian, kosher, etc.) must be indicated on the special needs section of your Enrollment Application, and, if necessary, a staff member will contact you to discuss any special arrangements that need to be made for you. Depending on the location of GYLS, not all dietary needs or options may be available.

What safety measures does GYLS follow?

• We greet scholars at the airport and provide transportation to the conference site.
• The student-to-staff ratio is 20-to-1.
• Our staff is comprised of highly trained and experienced faculty advisors.
• Students travel by licensed, private motor coach.
• We adhere to international travel advisories issued by the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassies in all countries.