With our unique itinerary of guest speakers, diplomacy simulations, group projects and supporting cultural enrichment activities, the Diplomats of Tomorrow Academy (DoT) is ideal for High school students looking to increase their cultural understanding and global acumen, while building their resumes and connections with peers.
The weekly programs will include discussions with U.S. and international experts on key foreign policy topics, a diplomacy simulation, and cultural offerings. At the conclusion of each session, participants will earn a Certificate of Excellence in Global Leadership on the topic of the session. We will offer two sessions of summer programming in July for high school students.
Back for a sixth consecutive year, the DoT Summer 2025 will run for two weeks in July.
The Diplomats of Tomorrow Academy will be offered as an in-person opportunity, please check the module you enrolled in to see which location it will be hosted at. The week-long modules are offered weekday mornings from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm Pacific Time, and are open to High School students in the U.S. and abroad (entering grades 9 - 12). Students may register for one or more modules as suits their interests and availability.
Both paid and scholarship positions are limited.
Cost: $540 per week
Scholarships
SDDC strives to bring diverse cohorts of students together for each module of this program, and recognizes that cost should never be a barrier to participation in our programs. Thanks to our generous sponsors and funders, we are typically able to offer scholarships for students in need of financial assistance and/or who are underrepresented/underserved in their community.
La Jolla Country Day Students
La Jolla Country Day students should register via LJCDS Summer Camp website. For questions and inquiries about earning LJCDS credit for your participation in DoT 2025, please contact Jonathan Shulman, jshulman@ljcds.org
Pacific Ridge School Students
Pacific Ridge School students should register via Pacific Ridge Summer Camp website. For questions and inquiries, please contact Spencer Burrows, sburrows@pacificridge.org
Introduction to International Relations
July 7 - 11
La Jolla Country Day School
8:30am - 12:00pm
What makes countries allies or rivals? How do world leaders make decisions? And what role do YOU play in global affairs? This Introduction to International Affairs course will turn you into a young diplomat, exploring the exciting world of global politics. Through interactive simulations, real-world case studies, and hands-on activities, you’ll learn how countries negotiate treaties, resolve conflicts, and tackle global challenges like climate change and human rights.
By the end of this course, you’ll think like a diplomat, understand global decision-making, and see how international affairs shape your daily life. Whether you dream of working at the United Nations, leading a social movement, or just want to impress your friends with your global knowledge—this is the perfect place to start!
8:30am - 12:00pm
"The next war won’t be fought on land, but online." Cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting your WiFi—it's a global battlefield where governments, hackers, and tech giants compete for power.
In this high-stakes, high-tech course, you’ll dive into the world of international security, military strategy, and digital diplomacy. How do countries defend themselves in an age where a cyberattack can shut down an entire city? What role does the U.S. Navy and Marines play in protecting global stability? And how does cyber warfare change the rules of international conflict?
Through hands-on cybersecurity challenges, strategy simulations, and discussions with military and cybersecurity experts, you’ll learn how nations fight threats both on the battlefield and behind the screen. This is your chance to explore a career in national security, military intelligence, or ethical hacking—and to be at the forefront of defending the digital world of tomorrow.
Global Security & Cybersecurity: The New Frontier
July 21 - 25
Pacific Ridge Academy
Program Overview
Thank you to our partners at Kiwanis, La Jolla Country Day School, and Pacific Ridge School for your ongoing support, and enabling us to implement the Diplomats of Tomorrow Academy.
