Students who participated in the Summer International Leadership Program enjoyed three weeks of activities that focused on developing leadership skills through engaging activities and participating in challenges that built confidence, encouraged intercultural awareness and developed global competencies by working with collaboratively with others from different cultural backgrounds.
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OCENET launched an exciting new initiative with its Summer International Leadership Program. This unique program enables international students to visit Ottawa during the summer and live and participate together with Canadian students in modern facilities specifically designed to accommodate student groups. There is access to a large open campus with sports grounds, modern classrooms, computer labs, a games room and clean and spacious dormitories. Located close to downtown, students are provided the opportunity to experience Ottawa, Canada’s capital city, by touring the famous Parliament Buildings and attending supervised evening events that showcase Canada’s culture.
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One of the highlights of the program was representing a country at the model United Nations simulation
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A truly unique program
The Summer International Leadership Program developed by OCENET is one of a kind. Upon arrival in Ottawa the visiting international students immediately meet with local Canadian students who were specially selected because of their proven leadership skills and their ability to work collaboratively with students from diverse backgrounds. This unique cross-cultural experience with local students of a similar age who reside in the same residential facility 24/7 and participate together in all activities is what truly differentiates this program.
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Students participated in sports and teamwork activities that required everyone to apply their leadership skills in both enjoyable and practical ways
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Emphasis on leadership skills
Throughout the program students complete a curriculum that develops the skills essential to strong leaders, such as self-awareness, teamwork, goal setting and decision making, among many others.
The aim of the program is fourfold in that it (1) promotes the development of leadership skills through engaging “real world” learning activities, (2) enhances English language acquisition through extended interactions with Canadian English-speaking students their own age, (3) develops confidence and maturity through exposure to new challenges based on a sequential learning curriculum that culminates in a model United Nations simulation, and (4) encourages cross-cultural awareness through meaningful interactions with Canadians. Students have opportunities to learn from the example of local leaders they meet and to participate in activities which empower everyone to demonstrate their leadership abilities in a supportive environment.
The success of this new program is evident in the many new friendships that developed and by the noticeable growth in confidence of the participants.
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"...this program is unique in its approach towards promoting intercultural awareness and understanding while developing strong leadership skills.
- Greg Duggan, Director of Studies