25 Transition year students from Errigal College, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal recently worked alongside 20 students from Fairchild Wheeler High School, Bridgeport, Connecticut to undertake a project guided by business mentors from Pramerica Systems Ireland and Prudential Financial USA. The students were set the project objective of ‘designing a financial app’. Expectations were high as students were tasked with completing Competitor Analysis, a Marketing Plan, designing Innovative Technology (with detailed features and benefits), self-assess their progress and, of course, work as a team with their American counterparts.
There were eight teams consisting of five students each – a mix of a few students from either side of the pond. The students quickly learned that international collaboration can have its challenges, your team members are not only thousands of miles away but a time zone apart – communication takes work and needs to be clear and concise.
Each team had to present their app at the project closing event to a judging panel made up of Pramerica Systems Ireland and Prudential Financial staff. The event was closed with traditional entertainment, including a fantastic rendition of Riverdance (courtesy of Errigal College students).
Thank you to Pramerica Systems Ireland and Prudential Financial USA for enabling this wonderful opportunity for international collaboration.