GLSS – International is a residential event that takes place in an international location – typically traveling to more than one country - over a two week period. The event is run every September, to coincide with the mid-semester break.
Whilst the Australian event is more of a short field trip, the international events are much more intensive. As well as taking in the excitement and learning experiences of the trip, delegates have to deal with living and working together in a foreign country and with eachother, when many delegates will come from different cultural backgrounds themselves.
This page provides information on the key features of our international symposia. For specific information and application details of the next Australian event, download the latest brochure.
Though the event is not for academic credit, the program is a learning experience. All delegates must set for themselves learning goals to be achieved on the trip, analysing the issues covered by the briefings and visits and how what they have learnt from these organisations relates back to their own field of work and study. In addition, each day selected delegates will be nominated to record the group’s experiences.
GLSS - International has the professional atmosphere of conference, with briefings by experts from industry and the non-profit sectors; but rather than sit in a classroom, delegates visit the places and projects where these professionals actually work. This exposure to companies, NGO projects and government provides insight into different organisations, their leadership and challenges.
Examples include:
Issue: Diplomacy - Delegates host a luncheon with Australian diplomats and officials in Thailand. The event includes a presentation by the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, on international relations and education. Delegates enjoy a banquet lunch with staff of the Australian embassy, local Thai students, and members of the Thai media. The event provides insight into public diplomacy and the workings of foreign embassies.
Issue: Maritime Piracy – Delegates visit the Port of Singapore, one of the largest in the world and in a strategic location at the gateway to the Asia Pacific. The port daily deals with cargo worth millions of dollars. At the Port, delegates observe the Port from the observation deck, receive a tour, and are run through its daily operations. Later in the day, a professional employed by a security firm – a private army of ex-soldiers hired to protect container ships – talks about strategies for reducing piracy and terrorism in and around the waters of Singapore, including the infamous Malacca Straits.
GLSS also has aspects of a study tour. Whilst not a program for academic credit, Macquarie believes it is important to contextualise the experiences delegates have, by setting time aside for academic discussions. Each Global Leadership Symposium includes several ‘Discussion Cafes’ – informal opportunities for delegates to meet and put their experiences into a historical and cultural context. This also helps delegates obtain added knowledge to meet their own learning goals.
The international GLSS event includes a service learning, or volunteering, component. This is an opportunity for delegates to get some hands on international experience on a local project. Typically, the work is with an NGO or community organisation addressing a challenge that is facing a developing country or community. The benefits of this part of the program are that the local region benefits from the symposium, and that delegates and Macquarie have the opportunity to learn from local people.
Example:
Issue: Conservation - Delegates spend two days (and an overnight stay) working full-time as ‘elephant helpers’ in an elephant conservation park in Northern Thailand. Delegates feed, clean and assist with the daily care of the elephants, giving them a unique opportunity to get so close to these amazing animals. The park’s staff instruct the delegates on conservation. Delegates spend the night in the park in basic accommodations. The experience is a unique insight into practical conservation efforts and a truly memorable and bonding one for the group.
Travel is nothing without the opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the destination, to try the local food, meet the local people, and explore for yourself the local culture. GLSS integrates a number of cultural experiences into each trip.
Example:
Cultural Experience: Thai cooking. Delegates participate in a local cooking school for half a day. In the morning they travel to the local market, to learn about the produce and ingredients typically used in local dishes. They browse the many fresh foods for sale. Back at the school, delegates are instructed in how to prepare local dishes, getting hands-on experience and many delicious recipes. The group then sits down to lunch to enjoy the results of their cooking efforts. Later in the trip, the group takes a cruise on the river on a former rice barge converted to a beautiful restaurant.
There is also the opportunity for free time for delegates to make their own cultural explorations. These may include shopping for local products, enjoying local restaurants, visiting sites of national significance, trying local sports, and other activities.
"I grew as a person on this trip. Experiencing new things and pushing myself to participate in things I normally wouldn't. I learned a lot about another culture." - Victoria, USA