World Scholars Academy: Summer Student Testimonial

Zach Brody

Class of 2023

Staples High School

Why did you choose to participate in a summer program?

I was home-bound during the “Covid Summer of 2020” and decided to make good use of my time with a positive but fun learning experience. I choose to participate in this program because it provided a broad introduction into business, something I had always had an interest in. Also, even though this program was an online offering, it offered me the opportunity to interact with the instructor as well as the other students in the class.

How did you decide which program was right for you?

I considered a number of factors in deciding upon which program to take. I was searching for a positively reviewed, online introductory business program for high school students which would provide a broad overview of a wide variety of business subjects.

I also wanted a knowledgeable and approachable instructor[s], with impressive expertise/credentials. When I came across the World Scholars Business Academy, it checked every box on my list, and looked like it would be a great fit.

What was a typical day in your summer program?

We began each day with a lively discussion about materials which we had been assigned to review. Dr. Dericks provided his insights, answered our questions, and somehow always challenged us to think more deeply about the subject. After reviewing the assigned material, we moved on to the day’s plan. This either consisted of being introduced to the day's topic through a well-organized and thorough slide presentation.

Other times Dr. Dericks presented the material using interactive modeling, videos, case studies of actual business situations or simply a brief interesting lecture. One of my favorite things about the program is how Dr. Dericks varied his teaching methods, always managing to make the topic stimulating and relevant.

The days always moved quickly, and there was plenty of opportunity to interact with Dr. Dericks and my classmates. In fact, sometimes he would put us in small groups if we were creating a model, or analyzing a case study.

The day ended with work being assigned for the next day. The homework was never too burdensome. It sometimes involved watching a video or listening to a podcast. Other times we had to review a company’s annual report and consider certain data points.

What was the most memorable moment of your summer?

On the last day of the program, we had a competition of sorts. We took everything that we had learned, and came up with our own business ideas. We then had to make all sorts of plans, financial decisions, and incorporate the majority of what we had learned.

At the end of the class, we pitched our ideas to Dr. Dericks, similar to a Shark Tank format. He evaluated our ideas, and gave us feedback. Not only was it fun, but it felt rewarding to use everything that I had learned throughout the program all at once, and see the real life applications.

What advice do you have for teens looking at summer programs?

I would say the most important thing to think about when looking for a summer program is to make sure that it's something that you’re going to enjoy, and that you pick a program mainly for that reason. Also, make sure you go in with the right attitude. If you just want a relaxing time, and don’t want to do any work, don’t do a program that involves work.

It sounds simple, but I have seen people participate in various courses just to look good, and their experiences never reach the high caliber of someone who wants to be there. As long as you pick your summer program for the right ideas, and go in with the right attitude, there's a good chance you will have a good experience, and get something valuable out of it too!

Follow this link to learn more about the World Scholars Academy Online program!