• Enroll
  • Help center
    • All Destinations
      • Asia
      • Latin America
      • Europe
      • South Pacific
      • Africa
      • US & Canada
    • Europe
      • Spain
      • Italy
      • France
      • Greece
      • Switzerland
      • England
    • Latin America
      • Costa Rica
      • Panama
      • Peru
      • Ecuador
      • Belize
      • Dominican Republic
    • Asia
      • South Korea
      • Japan
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
      • Cambodia
      • China
    • Featured:
    • Popular tours
    • Black Friday deals
    • Subjects
      • Career & Technical Education Tours
      • STEM Tours
      • History Tours
      • Art, Music & Theater Tours
      • Language Tours
    • Collections
      • Starter Tours
      • Career Readiness Tours
      • Middle School Tours
      • Global Leadership Summit
      • Community Engagement Tours
      • Tours for Girls
      • View all
    • How it works
      • Plan your first tour
      • Pricing & inclusions
      • Request a free brochure
    • Why choose EF
      • Educational impact
      • Best-in-class safety
      • Personalized support
    • Teacher benefits
      • Teacher training
      • Global Rewards program
      • Credit & professional development
    • EF & Educational Travel
      • About EF
      • Educational travel 101
      • Find your teacher’s tour
      • Booking Conditions
    • Safety & Support
      • Our approach to safety
      • Peace of Mind Program
      • Travel protection
      • Meet your people
    • Pricing & Inclusions
      • Payments made easy
      • Everything that’s included
      • Fundraising & scholarships
    • Getting Ready to Go
      • Passports & visas
      • Flights & transportation
      • Trip packing list
      • Rooming & meals
      • Adult travelers
Contact usLog in
  1. Home
  2. Travel Blog
  3. Places and Perspectives
  4. 7 things that happen at an EF Summit

For students

7 things that happen at an EF Summit

Madeline Muller | April 24, 2024

You might have a lot of questions leading up to an EF Global Leadership Summit. What exactly is a Summit? Who will you get to meet? What topics will you cover? And of course, what will you be expected to DO at a Summit?

First thing’s first: Summits are extraordinary events that combine educational tours with an annual student leadership conference. They’re specially designed to help students tackle and present solutions to significant global challenges. And they've put attendees face-to-face with incredible thought leaders ranging from Jane Goodall to Sir Ken Robinson. Sound good? We’re only getting started.

Hear our 2023 Summit emcees, Adrienne and Bella, explain everything in more detail:

Want to learn even more about having an innovative Summit experience? Read on to discover seven things students get to do during an EF Summit.

01

Explore their hearts out

In addition to a three-day student leadership conference, the Summit experience includes a specially designed educational tour that’s built to bring the Summit theme to life and strengthen students’ understanding of the topic. And to keep the exploration theme going, students also get to visit eye-opening destinations, tour iconic sites, and fall in love with new foods.

02

Make friends, fast

Student leaders from around the world come together under one roof to collaborate and learn from one another, and friendships happen faster than they can say, “Best trip ever!”

"

I learned to believe in myself, and that I am a valuable part of my community. I learned that I can make a difference in the world, and my voice has power, and I can use that power for change.

Student at the 2019 Summit in Davos, Switzerland

03

Innovate like they mean it

Part of having an innovative Summit experience is getting to prototype real solutions for real global challenges. And the winning ideas earn a place in the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm, Sweden alongside generations of Nobel Laureates. (Yes, really.)

04

See what they’re made of

Summit attendees learn a lot about the world, and even more about themselves. They realize that things could be different and gain the courage to make their voices heard. Students don’t solve all the world’s problems at a Summit—but they learn how they could. Equipped with problem-solving skills, passion, and a belief in themselves, today’s students start becoming tomorrow’s leaders.

05

Break it down

Students come together to break down global challenges, and it doesn’t stop there. We’re talking snack breaks, brain breaks, and (most importantly) dance breaks.

"

How could you not love this? Give kids an inch, and they will inspire the world. This is what this conference is all about.

Teacher at the 2019 Summit in Davos, Switzerland

06

Get empowered

Like we said above, attendees are inspired by world-renowned speakers and organizations. Past Summits have included the likes of Al Gore, TED-Ed, and UNICEF. And of course, students are inspired by each other, too!

07

Go grow

From meeting new people, to public speaking, to innovative thinking, every moment at an EF Summit is designed to inspire growth. It might feel challenging, but that’s a good thing—because nothing grows in a comfort zone.

Madeline Muller

Madeline Muller

Madeline is a copywriter at EF tours. She loves sitcoms, tacos, re-reading books, and befriending dogs. Her favorite city is Budapest.

Ready to make the world your classroom?

Explore our unique tour collections that bring learning to life across inspiring destinations.

Browse tours
divider_desktop
divider_mobile

Related articles

Travel tips

Take a school trip to another school. (No, really.)

Vimy Ridge

Moments on tour

Vimy Ridge Memorial

For students

Student empowerment and why young voices matter at EF’s 2022 Summit

Footer

We're here to help

Contact us
Help Center

Learn more

How it works
About EF
Customer Reviews
Visit our blog
Careers at EF

Other EF brands

EF Explore America
EF Language Abroad
EF Tours for Girls
EF Educational Tours Canada
EF Adventures
EF Ultimate Break
EF Go Ahead Tours
EF Gap Year

Stay connected

Contact us
Help Center
How it works
About EF
Customer Reviews
Visit our blog
Careers at EF
EF Explore America
EF Language Abroad
EF Tours for Girls
EF Educational Tours Canada
EF Adventures
EF Ultimate Break
EF Go Ahead Tours
EF Gap Year

Stay connected

Privacy Policy and Legal Notices

© Signum International AG 2026. All rights reserved.