About us:
Summit Global Education offers academically rigorous, multi-city study abroad programs across Europe, designed for students in engineering, design, business, and global studies. Our short-term, credit-bearing programs are structured to align with U.S. academic calendars, running during summer and winter breaks. Since 2011, Summit has partnered with accredited universities to deliver immersive learning experiences that blend academic coursework with hands-on exposure to Europe’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems. Students engage with startups, incubators, and creative communities—developing real-world insight into how ideas scale, how systems interact, and how culture influences collaboration. The result is a transformative experience that builds cross-cultural fluency, creative confidence, and the global perspective needed for today’s interconnected careers.
In a world shaped by complexity, creativity, and connection, we believe the best education happens where disciplines overlap—and where cultures meet.
That’s why Summit Global Education designs study abroad programs that are interdisciplinary, mobile, and deeply immersive. Since 2011, we’ve led students through multi-city journeys across Europe and Latin America, combining academic credit with field-based learning in real-world environments.
Each program is built around movement: across cities, industries, and ideas. Students don’t just read about innovation—they experience it firsthand by visiting local startups, design labs, and creative communities. Along the way, they build cross-cultural fluency, expand their worldview, and develop the mindset needed to thrive in global, collaborative careers.
Our mission is to prepare students to engage with complexity, contribute meaningfully across cultures, and lead with purpose in an interconnected world.
Why Choose Summit?
- Multi-City Format: Travel through Europe’s most forward-thinking cities. Compare ecosystems. Build a holistic understanding of cross-border innovation.
- Short-Term, High-Impact: Programs take place during summer or winter breaks. You earn credit without falling behind, and you gain global experience without long-term disruption.
- Interdisciplinary by Design, Open to All Majors: Our courses blend communication, engineering, design, global studies, and business—creating an academic experience that reflects the real world.
- Professionally Grounded: Go beyond theory. Visit the places where new ideas are being built. Learn directly from the people leading change.
Our mission
Summit Global Education is dedicated to transforming education through meaningful international experiences. Our mission is to equip students with the cultural understanding, innovative mindset, and global perspective needed to navigate and succeed in an interconnected world.
Our mission is to equip students with the knowledge and values needed to thrive in global careers—and to contribute to a more interconnected, peaceful world.
What we value
- Global Leadership
Preparing students to navigate complex global challenges with confidence and adaptability by engaging with diverse industries, cultures, and innovative practices. - Cultural Understanding
Promoting empathy, respect, and appreciation for cultural diversity to foster meaningful cross-cultural connections and a deeper understanding of global perspectives. - Academic and Professional Excellence
Delivering rigorous programs that seamlessly blend academic learning with professional experiences, empowering students to enhance their careers and academic achievements. - Innovation in Education
Continuously evolving our programs to explore how creativity and innovation drive success in global markets, delivering immersive experiences that connect theory with real-world applications. - Personal Growth
Encouraging self-discovery, independence, and resilience by challenging students to step out of their comfort zones and grow in dynamic, international environments. - Collaboration and Networking
Building environments where students, professors, and industry leaders collaborate, exchange ideas, and form lasting personal and professional networks. - Sustainability and Responsibility
Encouraging students to engage thoughtfully with global challenges by promoting sustainable practices and responsible global citizenship.
“There is no doubt that I would recommend the Summit Program. I thought the flow of the program as perfect, not too overwhelming but always something to do. It’s important to find that balance in a study abroad program and I think Summit has managed to do so. I truly believe this is one of the best programs out there. Thanks again!”
William Croghan, Miami University
“I would recommend this program to other students. I really liked the structure and how well we were able to view and capture all aspects of the country of Brazil. Something that surprised me were how nice Brazilians were. Everyone was really patient and willing to go the extra mile for us. These past three weeks have been amazing!”
Kelly Marin, Seton Hall University
“I would 100% recommend this program to other Iowa students. I have learned so much about Brazil and will carry that with me for the rest of my life. Brian and Leo, my professors, are nothing but professional in the classroom and make for a great learning atmosphere. Outside of the classroom, they are fun and friendly; The perfect mix!”
Ryan Burton, University of Iowa
Recent University Partnerships & Course Locations:
Courses have been hosted at leading institutions across Europe and Latin America, including:
About:
BRIAN BUTLER, FOUNDER, SUMMIT GLOBAL EDUCATION
Brian Butler is the founder of Summit Global Education, an organization dedicated to reimagining study abroad through immersive, multi-city programs focused on innovation, design, and cross-cultural collaboration.
Since founding Summit in 2011, Brian has developed short-term, credit-bearing programs across Europe and Latin America that bring students face-to-face with the people and ideas shaping the future—visiting startups, design labs, cultural institutions, and creative hubs in some of the world’s most dynamic cities. His programs connect academic learning with real-world context, encouraging students to think globally, act creatively, and build across borders.
Brian’s background spans international education, global markets, and cross-border collaboration. He holds an MBA with distinction from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, where he later contributed to the Global MBA program in Miami, facilitating courses in Finance, Economics, and Global Trade. Prior to launching Summit, he worked as an analyst at the Columbia Institute of Tele-Information at Columbia Business School, focusing on international telecommunications and global market dynamics.
Born in Canada and raised in Switzerland, Brian has lived and worked across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and North America. His global upbringing and professional experience continue to shape Summit’s mission: to equip students with the adaptability, creative confidence, and systems-level thinking needed to lead in an interconnected, innovation-driven world.
Connect: LinkedIn.com/in/briandbutler
Professors
FACULTY :
All of our classes are taught in English by a team of experienced and multinational university professors.
MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER OF SUMMIT GLOBAL EDUCATION
Hello! I’m Brian Butler, the founder of Summit Global Education.
Throughout my life and career—from growing up in Switzerland to earning my MBA at Thunderbird, and traveling extensively across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and North America—I’ve seen how international experiences shape how we learn, create, and collaborate. They challenge our assumptions, expand our understanding, and give us the tools to work meaningfully across borders.
At Summit, we believe that studying abroad is more than an academic experience—it’s an opportunity to engage with the ideas, people, and systems that are shaping the future. That’s why our programs are designed not just around geography, but around energy: the energy of startups, of creative communities, of problem-solvers and builders working to scale new ideas in a global context.
Students who join us don’t just visit iconic cities—they meet the innovators and changemakers within them. They explore how ideas grow, how systems evolve, and how culture and creativity drive real-world impact. Along the way, they earn credit through rigorous, transferable coursework rooted in global perspectives and interdisciplinary thinking.
As a graduate of the Thunderbird School of Global Management, I’m deeply influenced by the belief that business can be a powerful force for peace, stability, and shared prosperity. That spirit informs everything we do at Summit—from the courses we offer to the cities we select and the conversations we encourage.
We understand that studying abroad is a meaningful commitment—for students and families alike. That’s why we’ve built programs that are academically sound, professionally relevant, and logistically supported every step of the way.
Thank you for considering Summit Global Education. I hope you’ll join us—and return with the knowledge, skills, and global perspective to make a real impact in your future career.
Warm regards,
Brian Butler
Founder, Summit Global Education
brian @ SummitGlobalEducation . com
305-632-0227
Search our Study Abroad Programs
Study AbroadExamples: Some of our previous Summit Global Education programs:
Summit Barcelona June 2015
Summit Prague July 2015
Summit Brazil Jan 2015
Summit Brazil Jan 2014
Summit Europe June 2013
Summit Barcelona July 2013
Summit Brazil July 2013
Contact Summit Global Education
Director of Summit Global Education:
- Brian Butler (Linkedin), +1 (305) 632-0227
Emails:
- info @SummitGlobalEducation.com
- director @SummitGlobalEducation.com
Office Address:
- 732 Santander Ave., Coral Gables, FL 33134
- Note: Our distributed global team has been working from home since the start of the global pandemic in March of 2020
Legal Address:
- Summit Global Education, LLC
12555 Biscayne Blvd. #911,
North Miami, FL 33181-2597 - Note: just use this address for taxes, or formal legal mail. All other requests should be sent to our office listed above.
Connect with Summit:
Learn more
Contact Summit:
- Phone: 305-632-0227
- info @ summitglobaleducation com
- more contact options
Summit Global Education offers transformative study abroad programs that blend immersive cultural exploration with academic rigor and professional engagement in Europe and Latin America. Since 2011, we’ve helped students develop global perspectives, practical skills, and innovative mindsets to excel in today’s interconnected economy.