Wharton Global Youth: Learning Online Never Looked So Good

We’ve all had our share of cringy Zoom room encounters. It can be awkward to connect to people and classwork on a computer screen, rather than face-to-face. You mean, I have to sit through another distant lecture? Camera off.

Shift your mindset! We’re here to tell you why learning online with Wharton Global Youth looks really different than what you might expect.

Actually, don’t take our word for it (after all, we’re kind of biased). Instead, gather intel from someone who is likely a lot like you.

Ina N. is a senior at Lower Cape May Regional High School in New Jersey, U.S. In the summer of 2024, Ina studied online with Wharton Global Youth in our Future of the Business World program and was also an active member in our Global Youth Meetup online community, to which all online learners have access.

We just learned that Ina is headed to Princeton University in the fall to study mathematics and economics. First, she wants to share how she fully embraced business education for the first time with Wharton Global Youth – without ever leaving her home.

Wharton Global Youth Program: Southern New Jersey is a quick trip across the Delaware River from the Wharton School in Philadelphia. Why did you choose to study online with us, rather than in person?

Ina: The most attractive part of online learning was that I could immerse myself in business education all summer long. I was particularly interested in the Wharton Global Youth Meetup (GYM) for its networking and creative-thinking opportunities. I found the GYM activities like the Comment and Win competition and Explore Business activities like creating a branding video for Levi’s to perfectly complement the topics I was learning during my Future of the Business World classes. I enjoyed a balanced summer with an excellent online education in the comfort of my hometown. (Check out one of Ina’s winning comments from the 2024 Comment and Win Competition.)

Wharton Global Youth: Was your online experience different than you expected?

Ina: Wharton’s Future of the Business World program was a significant part of my business education. I fell in love with topics like product design that I had previously not explored in- depth in a high school classroom setting. Before beginning the program, I felt nervous that I would be unable to participate in many class discussions because I had limited knowledge about different areas of business. However, I quickly realized how easy and fun it was to discuss with my classmates, especially given the thorough materials we were provided to expand our knowledge between classes.

Wharton Global Youth: How was learning online in Future of the Business World unique?

Ina: Wharton Global Youth has incredible learning resources surpassing those of other online courses that I have taken. Two simulations on retailing and venture capital investing captured my attention, fostering an interactive learning environment that makes you feel like a true business student navigating college-level topics. Knowing that I could always reach out to my professors or teaching assistants for guidance also brought my online learning to life.

Wharton Global Youth: How was it different from your other online learning experiences?

Ina: This online learning experience is highly interactive and is not taught in a lecture-based style where you listen, take notes, and memorize content for the next class. Instead, students apply the knowledge they learn in class to activities they complete with other students. One of my favorite class days involved learning about the product design process, interviewing current Penn students about their dining experiences, and brainstorming a prototype with my team that addressed the key needs we identified. I was constantly engaged in diverse tasks that stimulated my critical thinking and collaboration skills in a business context.

Wharton Global Youth: You talked with Penn students. Did you also communicate with your Wharton class instructor?

Ina: I loved the virtual office hour sessions that my professors hosted. In a small group of students, I openly engaged in conversations about all topics that came to mind. Our discussions ranged from college education basics to the implications of AI in our society and the significance of cultural awareness in global business ventures. This FBW experience was truly eye-opening as I more strongly felt that business education was the right path for me.

Wharton Global Youth: Did you make strong connections with your classmates?

Ina: I worked with students from around the world. My class quickly exchanged social media and emails, making our learning community more interconnected and friendly. Networking with my fellow students was a highlight of my online Global Youth experience, considering I shared and learned about different cultures, experiences, and viewpoints. Even after my online experience officially ended, my learning and the friendships I made did not. If you seek an experience that fulfills your summer and sparks a much longer business education journey, I highly recommend learning with Wharton Global Youth.

Explore Wharton Global Youth’s online programs information hub. We are accepting applications until May 1, 2025.

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