Sleep in an American college dorm. Play Elvis’s piano. Present a project in English to a U.S. senator. Step inside the United Nations General Assembly.
Four Brazilian students experienced all this in July 2026. And the next group is already taking shape for 2027.
The Global Leaders Academy is a leadership and communication program offered as a Summer Camp, created in partnership between Hayek Global College and Cumberland University in Tennessee. It consists of two weeks in the United States: one on Cumberland’s campus, with classes and a university certificate, and another exploring Washington, D.C., and New York City.
Four Suitcases, One Shared Feeling of Excitement
On July 10, the group departed from Brasília for Nashville, Tennessee. Four students, each with a story of their own.
- Becca and Ana, undergraduate students at Hayek and inseparable friends.
- Artur, 15, who traveled from Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais.
Átila, 16, from Bahia, who earned his spot as the Best Delegate at HGI MUN, Hayek’s Model United Nations simulation held in partnership with Internationali. The event featured two days of debates conducted entirely in English, exclusively for high school students.
They were accompanied by Caio Alexandre, a Hayek advisor and educational facilitator who supported the group from the first day to the last.
No one knew exactly what to expect. Everyone returned with a clearer sense of what they wanted for their future.
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Welcome to Cumberland: The American College Experience Begins
The group arrived in Nashville on a Saturday morning, at around 10 a.m. Waiting to welcome them was Dr. Györgyi Mihályi, Director of the Palla Center for International Programs, alongside graduate students Giovanna Sena, from Brazil, and Hoàng Vu, from Vietnam.
From there, a university van took everyone straight to the dorms. Room keys, residence and safety instructions, suitcases unpacked and a welcome lunch to kick things off.
A Campus Full of Stories
That same afternoon, a Cumberland student guided the group around the entire campus, sharing the stories and little-known facts that only someone who studies there would know.
The first stop that left everyone in awe was the ballroom where Taylor Swift filmed the music video for Love Story.
The second stop offered a different perspective. Cumberland educated Cordell Hull, the U.S. Secretary of State known as the “Father of the United Nations.” He played a leading role in the creation of the UN and received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945. For Átila, who had recently earned recognition at a Model UN conference, it felt like coming full circle.
Welcomed by the President
Dr. Paul Stumb, the university’s president, personally welcomed the group. He shared how the campus had served as a training base for the U.S. Army during World War II. The main building dates back to 1896, and the university has a history spanning more than 180 years.
As tradition dictates for Brazilians newly arrived in the United States, the first evening ended with a trip to Walmart to pick up the essentials, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Nashville: The City of Music
On Sunday, the destination was Nashville’s Broadway, the famous Honky Tonk Highway. Live music poured out of every doorway, the architecture was breathtaking, and the atmosphere captured the energy of the heart of country music.
After lunch, the Country Music Hall of Fame served as the starting point for a tour of RCA Studio B. Elvis Presley recorded more than 200 songs there, including many of his classics. Dolly Parton also recorded at the studio.
The most memorable moment? Sitting at the very piano Elvis used to play. It has never been moved. The studio is still operating today, welcoming contemporary artists.
To wrap up the day, the group visited Centennial Park and its Parthenon, a replica of the Greek temple dedicated to Athena that now serves as a museum. Families strolled through the park while groups of friends played soccer perhaps a reflection of the excitement surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup!
In the following days, the students also visited museums exploring Tennessee’s history, enjoyed delicious meals at local restaurants, and, for Becca, experienced her very first game of mini golf.
Global Leaders Academy: A Real Classroom at a Real University
Monday marked the first day of classes, and the instructor immediately made an impression.
Jenny Ballard is a theater professor at Cumberland. For 13 years, she served as artistic director of Theatre Baton Rouge and taught at Louisiana State University. She has worked as an actress and director for more than 25 years. Her acting credits include American Horror Story: Coven, NCIS: New Orleans, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, and, more recently, Apple TV+’s Black Bird.
No programa Global Leaders Academy, os alunos trabalharam:
- Fundamentos de liderança
- Comunicação e falar em público
- Liderança em equipe
- A diferença entre liderar e gerenciar
- Persuasão e voz pessoal
Everything was conducted in English, with practical exercises and an official certificate from Cumberland University. Learning public speaking from an actress makes a real difference: posture, voice, and presence all matter.
Presentation Day
On the final day, each student presented their project to a distinguished audience:
- Dr. C. William McKee, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Cumberland
- Dr. Mark Hanshaw, Associate Provost and General Counsel
- Senator Mark A. Pody, from Tennessee and a Cumberland alumnus
The senator attended especially to support the students and offer words of encouragement. At the end, he handed over his business card and offered to remain available to the group.
Imagine being 15 or 16 years old and presenting a project in English to the leadership of an American university and a U.S. senator. Experiences like this change how young people see themselves and their potential.
From the Ashes, I Will Rise
Cumberland would not be Cumberland without the Phoenix. According to university tradition, each person writes their fears on a piece of paper and throws it into the “Heart of the Phoenix” bonfire. It symbolizes resilience and new beginnings.
The story behind the tradition dates back to 1865, when a fire destroyed the university’s original building during the Civil War. Only two columns remained. Alumni wrote the words “Ex Cineribus Resurgam” on them: “From the ashes, I will rise.”
Christmas in July
To close out the week, the group enjoyed a classic American experience: baseball. The Nashville Sounds faced the Charlotte Knights in a game themed “Christmas in July.” There was Christmas music, fans wearing Santa hats, and approximately 10 minutes of fireworks.
New York City: A Dream in Motion
The group traveled from Washington to New York by train. “I felt like I was in a movie,” Becca said.
They arrived late on the 20th and headed straight to Times Square. People from every corner of the world, enormous digital billboards, music, and an unmistakable energy filled the streets. Dinner was at Joe’s Pizza, a must-visit spot known for attracting celebrities. There was a line, but every minute was worth it.
Manhattan from Above
No trip to New York is complete without visiting an observation deck. The group visited two: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and the Empire State Building. The view of Manhattan from above was breathtaking.
On the way down, they walked along Fifth Avenue and discovered a surprise: the New York Public Library, open to the public and a beautiful backdrop for photos.
That evening, they headed to DUMBO, in Brooklyn, to admire the illuminated Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge.
Inside the United Nations
The trip ended on a high note with a guided tour of the United Nations headquarters. The group walked through the organization's corridors and visited the General Assembly Hall.
One detail stayed with everyone: a display showing, in real time, how much the world spends on war. It resets every day at midnight and can reach $80 billion in a single day.
For a group that had begun the trip learning about Cordell Hull, the “Father of the UN,” and for Átila, whose journey had started with a Model UN conference, ending the experience inside the General Assembly Hall carried special meaning.
A tip from someone who went: Comfortable sneakers are essential in New York. You walk a lot and use the subway frequently. The ideal plan is to schedule two attractions per day and leave the evening free for dinner and a chance to rest your legs.
In Becca’s Words
Rebecca Borges Walker, known as Becca, is an undergraduate student at Hayek. We asked her to share what the experience was like. Her summary was simple:
“The summer camp was a surreal experience.”
About her week at Cumberland:
“The cafeteria food was really good, and we felt like we were in an American TV series, especially because we were staying in the college dorms. That made the experience of living like an American college student even more immersive.”
About Nashville:
“I was simply enchanted by the city. It has a country vibe, but at the same time, it is modern and very charming.”
About arriving in New York:
“When we arrived in New York, it felt like a dream coming true. It is a fast-paced and chaotic city, but also incredibly charming.”
And what will stay with her:
“My friend Ana and I would always joke that every time we visited a new city, we wanted to live there. However, each one had its own charm, and every memory will remain forever engraved in my heart.”
For Parents: What Your Child Brings Home in Their Suitcase
Two weeks may seem like a short time. But when parents see their children return, they can recognize the difference.
- Support at every stage. Caio, a Hayek advisor, accompanied the students from their departure in Brasília through their return. The Cumberland international team welcomed them, and they stayed on campus.
- Real-world English. Classes, presentations, conversations in the dining hall, and ordering food at restaurants. Everything happened in English, every day.
- A certificate from an American university. The Global Leaders Academy is certified by Cumberland University.
- Connections that open doors. Direct contact with the university president, the Provost, and a senator in a welcoming and supportive environment.
- Greater clarity about the future. Experiencing American college life, even for a short time, helps young people make more confident decisions about where and what they want to study.
- Independence. Managing their own schedules, taking care of their belongings, and finding their way around a new city with a support network always close by.
Global Leaders Academy 2027: Your Next Story Could Be Here
The 2026 edition has come to an end. Preparations for 2027 are already underway, incorporating everything learned from this trip: an extra day in Washington, new itineraries in New York, and the same immersive experience at Cumberland.
Spots are limited, and the group is intentionally kept small. This allows every student to be seen, heard, and supported throughout the experience.
If you are a high school or undergraduate student dreaming of experiencing American college life, this could be your next summer.
I WANT TO JOIN THE GLOBAL LEADERS ACADEMY 2027
