Fostering peace by building bridges
between diverse cultures
Your Big Year is challenging young leaders across the world to build positive bridges between diverse cultures! In fact, young leaders from 106 countries have already participated in seven virtual challenges!
If you want to create long-lasting friendships, learn new skills and make a real impact - then the Your Big Year Global Citizens Challenge is for you! Our online dynamic program provides young people with a transformative, and collaborative way to meet and work with peers worldwide. By participating, you will gain skills in digital collaboration, social impact, and cultural understanding, and learn about future career-building opportunities directly from professionals.
Upcoming Challenge: February 6-9, 2025
Virtual Host City: SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
Applications are open for 15-20 year olds:
What happens?
Program activities include:
Penpal Sessions - interactive hangout video calls with other participants,
Virtual Tours - exclusive interactive tours from attractions in our host city,
Interactive Activities & Virtual Passports - team-based group work with your peers,
Industry Speakers - presentations and panel discussions from amazing speakers from the travel and tourism industry,
International Action Hub - immersive brainstorming and collaborative work through an interactive virtual space.
Our participants are in every time zone around the world. Therefore, the event has been designed with flexibility. Participants join at all hours between school, work, and other commitments - and some have so much fun that they stay on 24/7!
Watch our 2024 Challenge Wrap!
Learn more about the program
Everyone loves our program
“Building global competency skills in our students is an important responsibility of all of us educators no matter what subject we teach. The fact that the Global Citizens Challenge is a perfect resource to have so many students participate and communicate with youth throughout the world.”
- Amy Bonnici, Teacher, Wheeler School, Rhode Island, USA
“The Global Citizens Challenge reignited my passion for world cultures, solidified my belief that meaningful connections can still be nurtured in virtual environments, and finally, invited me to join a vast network of committed global citizens.”
- Shamma, Student, United Arab Emirates
"Participating in a virtual space with youth from around the world was a beautiful experience. The platform provides a fantastic opportunity for like-minded individuals to connect, support each other, and receive guidance in pursuing their dreams. The session was highly interactive, and I found it particularly gratifying to hear that themes such as discovering purpose in work and prioritizing mental wellness held such significance in the room. It's encouraging to see that we are making progress in the right direction!"
- Sabrina Seminaro, Senior Director, Sales & Market Strategy at LOGE Camps
Who Should Apply?
The Global Citizens Challenge committee will select up to 200 young people to participate in each challenge:
February Challenge: 15-20 year olds including schools and classes.
October Challenge: 21-30 year olds including Universities.
The Committee is seeking self-driven, diverse individuals who bring passion, energy, and a desire to learn. We don’t judge by traditional credentials but by alignment with our values:
Passionate about making a change
Eager to learn about different cultures from peers with diverse backgrounds
Desire to meet and connect with a variety of people
Wish to grow as a young professional through an online experience
Aim to grow personally, gaining a deeper understanding of yourself and your community
Seek to make a meaningful impact in your life and the world!
For more information, please read our FAQs
Apply today
February Challenge application deadline: January 25, 2025
Meet the GCC
Youth Leadership Team
