We are the world; all of us together occupying the same space with undeniable commonalities, divided by region yet more connected than ever through advances in technology and increased mobility. We have before us the unprecedented opportunity for unity and advancement with education as our platform. Imperative to our future in areas such as environmental sustainability, economic development, and diplomatic relations between nations is preparing students to be globally competent individuals who understand our interconnected world. The youth of today will need to be able to address real-world problems through research and innovation, weigh perspectives, and communicate ideas cross-culturally. Their success will depend on it.

Global School Access (GSA) was formed to address the growing educational needs of students worldwide. Founded in 2015, GSA is an educational organization that specializes in placing students in private schools across North America. Equipped with an experienced team of educators and international-business professionals, GSA prides itself on family-and-student-centered care including but not limited to: school selection for children in middle and high school, school and visa application processes as well as interview preparation and document handling, host-family or boarding-school selection and placement, academic support, individualized college planning, and cross-cultural training. What distinguishes GSA from its competitors is its commitment to and implementation of student support.

Because student support is essential to the success, growth, and welfare of students who are living abroad, GSA staffs Student Managers and Host Family Managers or Residential Directors (for boarding schools) in every region where students are placed in North America. Parents can rest assured that their children are being well looked after and have people to turn to and who understand the needs of students transitioning to life in a new country. Student Managers are in contact with students and parents on a regular basis and are required to visit students every month at the host family home or boarding school. Parents or guardians receive monthly reports detailing their child’s academic progress, involvement in school activities, host family or boarding school life, social engagement, etc.

Within the last few years there has been a significant shift in attitudes towards international agencies. Trust has been lost due to lack of follow through and broken promises, only to leave students in distressing situations or without an infrastructure of support thousands of miles away from home. Families have been taken advantage of financially or weren’t provided the proper tools and information to ensure the success and welfare of their children while away from home. GSA knows that every family and child needs nurture and support from the moment they make the decision to explore educational opportunities outside of their home country and from that point forward. Recognizing the disparities in student management and specialized services for international students and their parents, GSA leadership joined together committed to change the face of the industry by operating with the utmost integrity and providing quality care that families can rely on. We are parents, former teachers and school principals, and business professionals who understand that relationships are built on trust and fulfilling commitments. We are as invested as our families are in their children’s welfare and success as it impacts all of us now and in the future.
Studies indicate that the skills that students amass through their studies abroad and specifically in North America such as foreign-language acquisition, cultural awareness and sensitivity, critical and creative thinking, and the ability to communicate effectively in intercultural settings as well as to adapt to unfamiliar situations, meet the needs of multi-national companies and give students the ability to compete in the worldwide marketplace. In order to be successful, students need high-level thinking skills as well as extensive knowledge of international issues. Even more impactful are those who continue their studies abroad through the university level.

Middle and high school education serve as the entryway into the North American university system, and students who attend middle and/or high school in North America have a much higher rate of acceptance into the university system. Additionally, they are much more prepared than their classmates who remained in their home countries and applied to university from outside of North America. GSA is dedicated to helping its students build a strong educational foundation leading them to become future leaders and global citizens. At GSA we understand that nurturing the global competence of our youth will give them the capacity to thrive in diverse settings and prepare them to live, compete, and relate to others in a complex and interconnected and interdependent world.

While parents and caregivers the world over recognize the value of pursuing education outside one’s home country, with the added uncertainty of an ongoing pandemic, navigating educational options for our children is more daunting than ever; however, with planning and the right support put in place before they arrive, families can ensure that their children are set up for a safe and successful overseas experience.

There are a multitude of options and a sea of international agencies from which to choose, all of which promise what any parent would hope for, including high-touch service, warm and welcoming host families, and top schools. As parents, we are also very aware that there are agencies that don’t fulfill their promises, which may mean that our child doesn’t get the care and support we expect. There is one international-education agency that is known for its integrity, accountability, and transparency, and that is trusted by families, students, and schools alike. It’s called Global School Access (GSA).

What makes GSA unique? Yes, we do promise end-to-end service and a high-level of care, but we follow through on that promise by vetting and hiring a dedicated staff of locally based professionals who specialize in international student care, and who genuinely want students to be happy, grow personally, and succeed academically. We understand the sacrifices families make to secure the best possible opportunities for their child. We also understand that your child is coming alone across the world and will need a home away from home. It’s a lot to take in and adjust to, and we know that. New school, new home, new culture, new language, new food, etc. It’s both exciting and overwhelming. We consider our students part of our extended family and treat them accordingly. Trust, care, and communication are essential throughout your child’s overseas stay.

No stone is left unturned at GSA, meaning we’ve got everything covered from application assistance to top private high schools, to processing school applications, preparation of visa documentation, host family or boarding school arrangements, banking, legal services, college counseling, specialized tutors, ACT/SAT/TOEFL courses, English language support, well-being support, help applying for summer courses at top universities, and local support for college students. We are dedicated professionals who live up to our commitments and we are honored to be trusted by the families and students who come to us.

If you still have questions or concerns about sending your child overseas for their education, please allow a GSA staff member to help you navigate and weigh options. We are here to help, and it would be a privilege for the opportunity to assist you!

 

GSA MISSION STATEMENT

At Global School Access, our mission is to provide a dynamic growth experience—personally, academically, socially, and cross-culturally—for students, families, schools, and communities through exceptional care and strong partnerships, with the utmost integrity and respect, and with the goal of excellence. We aim to inspire young people to be happy, successful, and good global citizens, and to be viewed as the premier organization for international education by the families we work with, our partners, and our employees.