Experiential pedagogical elements, staff training, financial responsibility, admissions, student supervision, insurance, incident reporting, etc.

This certification is one that every applicant organization will have to pass. Every organization that carries the GYA Seal of Accreditation has been vetted to ensure that they have a high degree of integrity such that their materials reflect the actuality of their programs, their staff (both office and non-office) function within excellent academic and ethical standards, and that they operate with honest and transparent communication. This section ensures integrity in pedagogy, financial responsibility, marketing, recruitment, clarity of program rules, documentation standards, admissions processes, student supervision, student insurance, staff training, labor rights and education (for staff and students), student-privacy (FERPA), mandatory incident reporting, abidance of all local laws, and cross-cultural awareness.

For organizations that incorporate service-learning into their program experiences. These standards hold organizations to the highest levels of ethics and integrity as they engage with their community partners.

Responsible service-learning, or volunteering with a focus on learning, presents complexities for all stakeholders, especially those traditionally-considered to receive service. Thus, a high degree of planning for common purposes and reciprocity in organizational partnerships, as well as agreed upon project longevity must be considered before, during, and after program activities. Gap year program providers must intentionally and critically consider potential positive and negative impacts on global and domestic communities in which they engage.

Typical activities that might count as volunteering or service-learning could be teaching, construction projects, or environmental projects.

GYA has partnered with the Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative in the development and implementation of GYA’s Fair Trade Learning standards.

Defined as standards around risk management in locations where emergency medical care is more than 2 hours away, and/or in other remote/under-resourced areas; medical kits, supervisory support and training, membership in OSAC; etc.

This certification is for organizations traveling 2 hours or more away from definitive and reliable medical care. Typically this will be applicable for overnight backpacking, or for those that work within non-industrialized countries or rural communities. This certification will specify additional provisions for supervisory staff, including medical training standards, communication requirements, and a well-stocked and sufficient medical kit with non-expired materials. For those organizations that function overseas, additional provisions including State Department Registration, and membership in the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) (or equivalent if based overseas), will be mandatory.

This section is relevant to organizations that integrate a more independent approach to student experiences within their programs. This section emphasizes adequate student preparation: regular communication, an adequate safety net to ensure proper student vetting, and proper internship and ground-supervisor vetting.

Organizations that outsource for homestays, language classes, SCUBA classes, treks, transportation companies, adventures activities, etc. are chief among those who will need to complete this section. In every case where a program outsources services or activities, simple checks will be required to ensure a clear and documentable understanding of who is responsible for what (e.g., equipment, medical staff, insurance), and to ensure that GYA’s Standards are upheld throughout all third-party partnerships. GYA encourages an emphasis on locally-owned, financially-responsible, culturally-sensitive, and environmentally-conscious partnerships.