THE LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE

This itinerary is a series of progressive challenges targeted towards a mixture Chinese and overseas students. This program brings together approximately forty (twenty Chinese and twenty foreign) students to participate in a course-like itinerary that is a combination of theoretical and practical skills development programs, including: classroom sessions, cultural activities, industry visits, guest speakers and peer interaction. The culmination of the program includes presentations, awards and certificates.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

Arrive Shanghai
Transfer Suzhou or Nanjing
Arrive Shanghai
Transfer Suzhou or Nanjing
Welcome dinner
Orientation Sight-seeing Ice-breaking activity
Unit 1: Personal Development (theory) 4h Unit 1: Personal Development (activities) 3h Unit 1: Personal Development (theory) 3h
Unit 1: Personal Development (theory) 4h Unit 1: Personal Development (activities) 3h Unit 1: Personal Development (theory) 3h
Community Project 1 Topic: Greening China Community Project 1 Farm visit (all day) Guest lecturer and workshop 1 Environmental expert
Unit 2: Interpersonal Development (theory) 4h Unit 2: Interpersonal Development (activities) 3h Unit 2: Interpersonal Development (theory) 3h
Unit 2: Interpersonal Development (theory) 4h Unit 2: Interpersonal Development (activities) 3h Unit 2: Interpersonal Development (theory) 3h
Community Project 2 Topic: technology Community Project 2 Technology park visit (all day) Guest lecturer and workshop 2 IT expert
Sight-seeing Sight-seeing (all day) Traditional performance
Unit 3: Goal Setting and Action Planning (theory) 4h Unit 3: Goal Setting and Action Planning (theory) 4h Unit 3: Goal Setting and Action Planning (activities) 3h
Community Project 3 Topic: Emerging China Community Project 3 Factory visit (all day) Guest lecturer and workshop 3 Chinese entrepreneur
Unit 4: Teamwork and Leadership (theory) 4h Unit 4: Teamwork and Leadership (activities) 3h Unit 4: Teamwork and Leadership (theory) 4h
Unit 4: Teamwork and Leadership (theory) 4h Unit 4: Teamwork and Leadership (activities) 3h Presentation preparation
Presentations Sight-seeing Farewell dinner Awards
Airport transfer Depart Shanghai Airport transfer Depart Shanghai

ITINERARY BY NUMBERS

Name Total
Hours of instruction: 46 (Unit 1 = 13, Unit 2 = 13, Unit 3 = 8, Unit 4 = 12)
Hours of integrated activities: 26.5 (Unit 1 = 8, Unit 2 = 8, Unit 3 = 2.5, Unit 4 = 8)
Hours community projects: 18 (Project 1 = 6, Project 2 = 6, Project 3 = 6)
Hours of guest lecturers: 7.5 (lecturers 1 hour + related workshops 1.5)
Group Presentations: 4 hours
Cultural events: 20 hours

LEARNING LANDSCAPE

The course is highly interactive facilitator-led training. The sessions are designed for up to 25 participants per class, but the course can be used with fewer or more participants, with appropriate adjustments in material and space requirements.

The classroom sessions are designed to be used in a variety of formal and informal settings, such as after-school programs, youth club, community programs, outdoor adventure programs, outdoor “classrooms,” etc.

To make the training accessible worldwide, the assumption was made that typical classrooms will have access to technology, but have access to basic instructional supplies (paper, pens, pencils, markers, or colored pencils, tape, scissors, glue, flip chart paper and/or black or white boards, etc.). Suggestions are made within the sessions for low-cost or no-cost alternative materials, or for reducing the amounts of paper used for instructional resources.

For room setup, participants have worktables to conduct their small-group discussions and other activities, although the sessions can be adapted to allow for situations where this is not possible. In general, there IS ample space to configure small groups and teams around the room as needed. Facilitator notes and suggestions are included when such adaptations ARE necessary.

INSTRUCTIONAL/TRAINING TECHNIQUES

This courses use a range of methodologies that align with the principles of the experiential learning approach. With an emphasis on interactivity among participants, the courses incorporate the following techniques and methodologies:

Individual exercises and reflections
Stories and scenarios
Small and large group discussions
Activities and games
Role-playing exercises
Team projects and presentations

TRAINERS

The head trainer will be provided by RHT Education with support mentors and assistants drawn from various organisations and the participating school/s. The program staff include:

1 x RHT Education representative
2 x qualified trainers (1 head trainer)
4 x teaching assistants (could be Chinese or foreign to assist trainers and be responsible for 4 students each)
6 x mentors (each mentor will be responsible for 4 students)

EXAMPLE TIMELINE

Time Program
Zero minus 6 months Develop draft program
Zero minus 5 months Finalize program
Zero minus 4 months Distribute program to foreign organizations and Chinese schools
Zero minus 3 months Confirm attendees
Zero minus 2 months Finalize documentation for visas
Zero minus 1 month Distribute pre-program instructions and pre-reading
Zero hour Commence program

COMPONENTS

The entire program has an integrated approach to learning, combining a variety of components that lead towards greater understanding of what it takes to be leader.