The Ultimate GLO Application FAQ
You’re ready to take your first business trip abroad. You’ve heard about the executive company visits, the professional networking, the academic credit that doesn’t derail your graduation timeline. But now you’re wondering: what does the GLO application require?
Here’s the truth that might surprise you: completing your GLO application takes about 12–15 minutes. Not hours. Not days of gathering transcripts and recommendation letters. Just a quarter of an hour and two simple document uploads.
If you’ve been putting off applying because you assume study abroad applications are complicated, this guide will change your mind. We’ve compiled the most common questions students ask before applying—and answered them with the clarity you need to submit your application today.
Whether you’re a business major looking to strengthen your resume, a graduate student exploring global career paths, or someone who simply wants meaningful international experience without the bureaucracy, understanding how straightforward the application process really is might be exactly what you need to finally take action.
What Documents Do I Need for My GLO Application?
This is where GLO breaks from traditional study abroad programs. Forget the multi-page forms, essay requirements, faculty recommendations, and official transcript requests.
For your glo application, you need exactly two things:
- A passport photo (just an image upload of your current passport)
- A headshot photo
That’s it. No essays, transcripts, or letters of recommendation.
The application form itself asks for basic information—your contact details, your university, your program selection—and can be completed in 12–15 minutes. You’re not writing a personal statement explaining why you deserve to go. You’re simply providing the information GLO needs to connect you with an incredible international business experience.
Important note: Some universities require their own additional application process. If you attend schools like Northern Illinois University (NIU), University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), California Lutheran University (CLU), or Ole Miss, you’ll complete both your university’s study abroad application and the GLO application. Your study abroad office can guide you through their specific requirements, but the GLO portion remains the same straightforward process.
For students at partner universities without an additional institutional application, the GLO application is your only step.
Do I Need a Certain GPA to Apply?
Here’s what stops too many students from applying: the assumption that study abroad programs are only for students with perfect academic records.
GLO doesn’t set a minimum GPA requirement. You don’t need a 3.5 or a 4.0 to be eligible.
What GLO does is verify with your home university’s study abroad office that you don’t have academic or financial holds on your record. As long as you’re in good standing with your institution—meaning you’re eligible to register for classes and don’t have outstanding issues preventing you from participating in university programs—you’re welcome to apply.
This approach reflects GLO’s philosophy: international business exposure shouldn’t be reserved for a select few. If you’re a student ready to learn, engage with global executives, and represent your university professionally, your GPA isn’t the gatekeeper.
Real example: Taylor, a hospitality management major from Florida, had a 2.8 GPA when she applied for a GLO program exploring luxury tourism in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. She was accepted within two days, participated in company visits at Jumeirah Hotels and Emirates Airlines, and returned with insights that transformed her senior capstone project. Her GPA didn’t define her readiness to learn—her curiosity did.
If you’re academically eligible to take classes at your university, you’re academically eligible to apply for a GLO program.
How Long Does the GLO Application Process Take?
Let’s break this into two parts: application completion and review timeline.
Application completion: 12–15 minutes. You’ll fill out the online form with your basic information, upload your passport photo and headshot, and hit submit. If you have your documents ready, you can complete your entire glo application during a coffee break between classes.
Review timeline: GLO reviews applications quickly. Once you submit, you’ll typically receive an acceptance email within 1–2 business days.
Yes, you read that correctly. Within one to two business days, you’ll know whether you’re accepted into the program. This isn’t a weeks-long waiting process where you’re checking your inbox obsessively. GLO’s streamlined approach means you get clarity fast.
Compare that to traditional semester-long study abroad programs, where application review can take four to six weeks, and you’ll understand why students describe the GLO application experience as refreshingly efficient.
What happens after acceptance: Your acceptance email will include instructions for the next step—paying your $500 enrollment deposit. You have 15 days from your acceptance date to submit this deposit, which goes toward your overall program cost. The deposit is fully refundable up to 60 days before your program starts, giving you flexibility if your plans change.
Do I Need Prior International Experience to Apply?
Absolutely not. In fact, many GLO participants are taking their first international trip.
The glo application doesn’t ask about your travel history. It doesn’t require you to demonstrate prior international experience or prove you’ve studied foreign languages. There’s no checkbox for “previous study abroad participation” that determines your eligibility.
What matters is your willingness to engage. Are you ready to ask questions during a company visit at a multinational corporation? Are you open to learning how business practices differ across cultures? Can you step outside your comfort zone and represent your university professionally in an international setting?
If yes, you’re ready to apply.
Consider this: According to the Institute of International Education, short-term programs have become the most popular format for U.S. students studying abroad precisely because they’re designed for first-time international travelers. You don’t need to commit to a full semester in an unfamiliar country, don’t need to be fluent in another language, and don’t need a passport full of stamps.
What Happens After I Submit My GLO Application?
The moment you hit submit, your application enters GLO’s review system. Here’s exactly what happens next:
Within 1–2 business days: You’ll receive an acceptance email. GLO’s review process is designed to be fast and straightforward. The team verifies your information and confirms with your home university’s study abroad office that you don’t have any holds preventing participation.
Your acceptance email includes: Instructions for paying your $500 enrollment deposit, payment deadline (15 days from acceptance), information about how the deposit applies to your total program cost, and details about refund eligibility (full refund up to 60 days before program start).
After you pay your deposit: You’ll receive access to pre-departure materials, including your detailed program itinerary, information about the companies you’ll visit, travel logistics, packing recommendations, and connection opportunities with other participants.
The speed of the process reflects GLO’s understanding that students need clarity and certainty when planning international travel around academic schedules, part-time jobs, and other commitments.
Can I Apply If My University Isn’t a GLO Partner?
Students from non-partner universities can absolutely apply for GLO programs. The application process remains the same—12–15 minutes, two document uploads, 1–2 day review timeline.
The difference is in how you access the application. Partner universities often promote GLO programs through their study abroad offices and may have an additional institutional application process. Independent applicants apply directly through GLO’s website.
Important step for independent applicants: Before you apply, connect with your home university’s registrar or study abroad office to confirm their policy for accepting transfer credit from external programs. Most institutions accept credit from GLO programs, especially when coordinated in advance, but it’s worth verifying early.
Ask your academic advisor: “I’m interested in a faculty-led, short-term study abroad program through Global Learning Opportunities. What’s the process for ensuring I receive credit for this coursework?”
In many cases, students who participate through non-partner universities help open doors for future cohorts. Your conversation with your study abroad office might be the first step toward establishing a formal partnership.
Actionable advice: Don’t let the absence of an existing partnership stop you. The worst answer you’ll get is information about how to make it work. The best answer might be “Yes, we can accept that credit—here’s what you need to do.”
How Much Does a GLO Program Cost, and What Does the Deposit Cover?
Program costs vary depending on destination, duration, and inclusions, but understanding the deposit structure helps you plan financially.
When you’re accepted, you’ll pay a $500 enrollment deposit within 15 days. This deposit accomplishes three things:
It secures your spot in the program. Popular destinations and timeframes fill quickly, and the deposit confirms your commitment.
It applies toward your total program cost. The $500 isn’t an additional fee—it’s the first payment toward your overall program expenses.
It provides flexibility. The deposit is fully refundable if you need to withdraw up to 60 days before the program starts. Life happens. Plans change. GLO’s refund policy acknowledges that reality.
GLO program fees typically cover accommodations, company visits and executive access, ground transportation during the program, some meals, and academic instruction. Tuition for the academic credit component is usually handled through your home institution, which means your existing financial aid, scholarships, or grants may apply.
Financial planning tip: Start researching funding options as soon as you decide to apply. Many universities offer study abroad scholarships specifically for short-term programs. External scholarships like the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (for Pell Grant recipients) can provide additional support.
Talk to your financial aid office about applying your existing aid toward study abroad. The conversation takes 15 minutes—the same amount of time as your glo application—and could significantly impact your ability to participate.
Why Is the GLO Application So Simple Compared to Other Programs?
If you’ve researched traditional study abroad programs, you might be skeptical. How can a legitimate international program require so little paperwork?
The answer lies in GLO’s model and philosophy.
Traditional semester-long programs need extensive applications because they’re placing students in foreign universities for months, often requiring language proficiency, academic compatibility, housing arrangements, and complex credit transfers. The stakes are different, so the vetting process is more intensive.
GLO programs are faculty-led, short-term, and structured. You’re traveling with a group, led by a professor from a partner institution, following a carefully designed itinerary of company visits and academic activities. The program structure itself provides the support and oversight that makes a lengthy application process unnecessary.
More importantly, GLO’s mission is to make international business exposure accessible. If the application process itself becomes a barrier—requiring weeks of preparation, multiple essays, extensive documentation—fewer students participate. And that defeats the purpose.
Since 1977, GLO has connected more than 33,000 students with international business leaders through 650+ seminars worldwide. That scale is possible because the organization removed unnecessary friction from the application process while maintaining program quality and academic rigor.
The takeaway: A simple application doesn’t mean a less valuable experience. It means GLO designed the process around student needs rather than institutional bureaucracy.
What Makes a Strong GLO Application Stand Out?
Given how straightforward the glo application is, you might wonder: is there any way to make your application more competitive?
Here’s the honest answer: GLO welcomes all students who are in good standing with their universities. There’s no competitive admissions process where only the top 10% of applicants are accepted.
That said, approaching your application thoughtfully still matters. When you fill out the form, be accurate and complete. Double-check that your passport photo is clear and current. Choose a professional headshot that reflects how you’ll present yourself during company visits with executives.
Think of your application as the first impression you’re making on the GLO team and, by extension, the international business leaders you’ll meet. You don’t need to be perfect, but you should be present and intentional.
Ready to Expand Your Global Network? Apply for Your Next Study Abroad Adventure with GLO.
Frequently Asked Questions About Study Abroad & GLO Programs
Q1: What is Global Learning Opportunities (GLO)?
Global Learning Opportunities (GLO) is an international education organization that offers short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs focused on global business, leadership, and professional development. GLO programs combine executive company visits, academic credit, and cultural immersion, positioning each experience as a student’s first business trip abroad.
Q2: What makes GLO different from traditional study abroad programs?
GLO programs emphasize professional exposure and real-world business learning rather than long-term academic immersion alone. Participants engage directly with multinational companies and industry leaders while earning academic credit in a short, intensive format.
Q3: Who can participate in GLO study abroad programs?
GLO programs are open to undergraduate and graduate students, young professionals, and lifelong learners. Faculty leaders and university administrators also partner with GLO to deliver customized international seminars.
Q4: How long are GLO programs?
Most GLO programs last between one and three weeks. This format allows participants to gain meaningful international experience without delaying graduation or professional commitments.
Q5: Do GLO programs offer academic credit?
Yes. GLO programs are faculty-led and structured to offer university credit. Academic coursework is integrated with company visits, lectures, and experiential learning activities.
Q6: How does studying abroad with GLO support career development?
GLO programs help participants develop global competency, professional confidence, and international networks. Exposure to global business environments strengthens resumes and prepares students for cross-cultural careers.
Q7: How do I apply for a GLO study abroad program?
Participants can explore upcoming programs and apply directly through the Global Learning Opportunities website. Application requirements vary by program and institution.
Q8: How long does it take to complete the GLO application?
The GLO application takes approximately 12–15 minutes to complete. You’ll need to upload a passport photo and a headshot, along with basic information about yourself and your university.
Q9: What are the academic requirements for applying to a GLO program?
GLO does not require a minimum GPA. The organization verifies with your home university that you don’t have academic or financial holds on your record. As long as you’re in good standing with your institution, you’re eligible to apply.
Q10: How quickly will I hear back after submitting my GLO application?
GLO reviews applications and sends acceptance notifications within 1–2 business days of submission. Once accepted, you have 15 days to pay your $500 enrollment deposit.
