Students from China and the United States find efficient solutions through designing a new Ludo game for the blind. [Provided to China Daily]

Exchange program gives youngsters perspectives on entrepreneurship

Joel Anthony is visiting China for the first time, but it is the second year he has participated in the Sino-American youth exchange program, Global Connection.

"This is an exciting journey. After last year's program, we have been in touch with our friends in China, exchanging knowledge and theories we learned and discussing how to establish and operate our future company. I hope to put our discussion into practice this year," said 16-year-old Anthony, from Sheehan High School, Wallingford, Connecticut.

Global Connection was launched in 2013 through an innovative partnership between United Technologies Corp and the world's largest nonprofit education organization JA to develop the next generation of talent for companies and society as a whole.

The exchange program provides an opportunity for students from China and the United States to develop skills and knowledge necessary for innovation, entrepreneurship and a global perspective.

Last summer, the program was held at Yale University, where 40 participants -20 C from Shanghai and 20 from Wallingford - attended challenging experiential learning sessions that focused on American and Chinese business, entrepreneurism, ethics and leadership.

This year, the high school students recently met up again in Shanghai, as the 2014 program started at Fudan University.

This year's program offered additional practice sessions to broaden the students' horizons and provide them with more opportunities to improve their capabilities in solving real-world problems through a week of activities, including classes, workshops, company tours and hands-on training.

Throughout this intense week, the students participated in lectures and workshops, featuring business leaders and volunteers from enterprises. The students also visited the Shanghai Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engine Maintenance Co Ltd, as well as the Otis High Rise Elevator (Shanghai) Co Ltd, discussing topics such as innovation and sustainability with UTC experts and business leaders.

The students acquired important experience on technical innovations and how to operate their own student businesses.

"This year I learned more about marketing and business ethics. I want to go into business and major in marketing when I go off in college, so I really want to learn as much as I can about marketing and different techniques to further my education," said Anthony.

Sisely Sun from Shanghai improved her leadership skills. The 15-year-old was chosen to be the leader of one of the eight-person sub-groups during the week.

"From the program, I've learned about leadership and knowledge about business, especially marketing, and also the skills of making a speech and how to communicate with others," said Sun. "Whatever job you do in the future, communicating with people is essential."