24 December 2014
US business school sends students Coast-to-Coast
A top United States business school is about to send 12 students to Tai Poutini Polytechnic for a leadership training
course with a special Kiwi flavour.
Between 29 December and 6 January, the group will make their way from the Tasman Sea on the South Island’s West Coast,
to the Pacific Ocean in the east under the guidance of Polytechnic Outdoor Education staff and students.
Outdoor and Emergency Management HOD Dave Ritchie says the course will really test the leadership and communication
skills of the students of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School.
“Ventures like this are a standard part of the Wharton programme and in the past have been held in Equador, Antarctica,
Alaska and Kenya. We are thrilled to be hosting this year’s leadership venture right here in New Zealand’s South
Island.”
Dave expects the Coast-to-Coast experience to challenge the visitors, who were selected from a large number of
applicants for the programme.
“This is the first of what we hope will become a regular partnership with Wharton and it is great news for the
Polytechnic and for New Zealand. We are increasing international education opportunities here at home and cementing
links with other international education providers – one of the Government’s tertiary education priorities.”
Wharton Business School is consistently ranked in the top three in the United States, alongside Harvard and Booth. Dave
says securing the international partnership is a big deal for the polytechnic. “It’s not just about having the students
here for the programme: it’s the partnerships and connections our staff and students will make with these top US
business students.
“The venture will be an iconic New Zealand experience that will challenge the students, but it is do-able – they will
experience uncertainty and ambiguity and will have to work as a team to make it through.”
ENDS