Participants in last year’s KWHS Global Young Leaders Academy pose with “Split Button”, a sculpture designed by Swedish artist Claes Oldenburg in 1981 and a UPenn campus landmark

If you study in high school, and are between 15 and 18 years old, you are eligible to apply for the Knowledge@Wharton High School Global Young Leaders Academy. The two-week programme combines business studies, hands-on workshops, organized field trips, and socio-cultural activities. It draws its content from more than 400 lesson plans on the Knowledge@Wharton High School portal, with a focus on economics, finance, entrepreneurship, leadership, social studies, and US college admissions.

In 2016, there will be three sessions to choose from: May 29 to June 12, June 12-26, and July 10-24. The application deadline is March 31. Click here for more information.

Raunak Mukhi, a student of Symbiosis International School, Pune, who participated in the programme last year, says: “My favorite thing about the programme was the fact that we were taught by so many different professors who were experts in their field. My favorite class was ‘Understanding Money’ by Mauro F. Guillen, Director, Lauder Institute, and Wharton Professor of International Management.”

Another participant from last year, Raghav Mathur of The Shri Ram School, Gurgaon, says: “My favourite class was ‘Introduction to Entrepreneurship’. It was useful because it felt quite non-academic. The instructor gave us advice and knowledge that an entrepreneur must have. No complicated concepts, just lucid and simple concepts that every budding entrepreneur needs.”

Fellow participant Aditya Jain of Bombay International School, Mumbai, says the programme helped him develop important skills such as public speaking, teamwork, and co-operation. He says: “I learned that I am a good speaker. I also learned to stand up for myself when someone else takes credit for my hard work.”

Participants also say the programme helped them not only academically but also at a personal level. For instance, Raghav says he learned the importance of teamwork and the ability to interact with people effectively. He adds: “The programme helped me understand I'm not nearly as emotionally sensitive as I thought. I took care of myself and didn't get homesick for a single night. I've come away a stronger person.”

Shah Abrar Faiyaz, a Bangladeshi student at Kodaikanal International School, says the programme helped him learn team management. “During the final business plan presentation, we had to manage the time and divide our work, so that we were all productive. I learned that I like to be independent when working on something, but I also realized that sometimes in life, getting help from others isn't a bad thing, and that you can actually achieve more together.”

Participants enjoyed activities such as a scavenger hunt, which helped them to get to know each other and the campus, trips within Philadelphia and to other places, and the Marshmallow Challenge, a fun team-building exercise.

Faiyaz says: “You need to experience the programme yourself to understand. The friendships and the experience are beautiful and unforgettable.  I miss everyone so much that I wouldn't mind 2 more weeks!”

For more information on the 2016 programme, e-mail wharton@braingainmag.com or call +91 9871660421 (10 am – 6 pm IST). To find out more and to apply, click here.

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