About Us

Who We Are

The worldwide team at Global Academic Ventures is committed to providing the highest quality academic programs to enhance each student’s experiential learning opportunities. Since 2005 the company has been pioneering innovative education programs to meet the changing needs of study abroad students. Global Academic Ventures’ flexible approach while working with new and existing university partners generates a creative melting pot for unique program development that keeps our clients at the forefront of academic programming and their students one step ahead of peers at competitor institutions.

Due to our professional backgrounds, GAV staff are unusually well-connected in the world of business and private industry and over the years have also developed strong relationships in the public and not-for-profit sectors.  This has enabled GAV from its inception to focus on real-world professional experience as a guiding principle in program development.  

Changing the Face of Experiential Learning

GAV’s signature programs have been short-term faculty-led study tours that boast numerous visits to private companies and NGOs, large and small, in a wide variety of industries in Pacific Rim locations, to meet the academic goals set by the faculty leader.  Our first such program ran with great success in 2005, and since then we have partnered with over 100 colleges and universities around the world to offer dozens of customized international academic programs to over 1,000 students annually. 

Over the years GAV deepened its industry networks to enable students to participate in full-time internships.  More recently, in response to our partners’ needs, we developed our unique signature Internship and Study Semester in Asia Pacific (ISSAP) program that combines a full load of concentrated academic coursework with a subsequent half semester of full-time internship.  

Our Ethos

At Global Academic Ventures we believe that every student deserves a chance to further their professional and personal development through experiential learning in a professional setting. Where better to learn than within their chosen industry or career path. Since our inception in 2005, our purpose has been to build programs that are attainable to the wider student population and rewarding both professionally and academically.

We also believe that every faculty member should be able to lead their study abroad program without having the administrative and oversight responsibilities impact their ability to teach or continue their research. Thus we provide full-service support during the program to allow faculty to do what they do best and focus on student learning.

Our university partners agree, and that has fueled Global Academic Ventures’ stance as a leader in overseas programs for undergraduate students and, more importantly, our commitment to enhancing academic programs.