Wharton Stories: Electives

Group of students posing for a photo with a Wharton banner in front of the British Museum in London
How some students build their leadership, academic, and professional experiences by going even further into the classroom.

From Student to Teaching Assistant: Same Class, Different Takeaways

Students in line with luggage at an airport
Wharton students share their experiences traveling abroad on four short-term programs offered by Penn.

Unlocking the World: Global Learning Opportunities

Aaron Ishikawa, WG'21, and Kyle Mounts, WG'21
“We are a testament to the strength of Wharton relationships and using what we learned in class to build financial businesses that are really thriving,” says Aaron Ishikawa, WG’21.

Wharton EMBA Alums Leverage Education and Network to Launch VC Fund

Yemi Ahouanmenou, WG’25, with classmates during a visit to Spear Street Capital New York City Credit: Yemi Ahouanmenou
“The breadth of exposure to a global curriculum and to professionals from places I’ve never been in the world has been incredibly fruitful from both a personal and professional perspective,” says second-year Wharton EMBA student Yemi Ahouanmenou, WG’25.

Learning How to Make a Bigger Global Impact

Aerial view of the San Francisco Bay Bridge at sunset, with the city skyline in the background and coastal waters surrounding the bridge.
“The ability to take electives with a different cohort is an extraordinary opportunity to build connections with more students from differing backgrounds and industries,” says Richard Waterman, Deputy Vice Dean for Wharton’s EMBA Program.

Wharton EMBA Program Offers Cross-Cohort Flexibility

A diverse group of students in a classroom engaged in discussion and collaborative work. Some are using laptops, and others are reviewing documents. The setting is casual and interactive, suggesting a study session or group project.
Third-year Anthony Wright describes taking an Academically Based Community Service (ABCS) course that teaches West Philadelphia middle- and high-school students financial literacy

Wharton Field Challenge: Empowering Financial Futures

Night skyline of a modern city with illuminated skyscrapers and an architectural bridge in the foreground, showcasing a vibrant urban scene.
Fatima Figueroa discusses her experiences on the winter break Global Modular Course: Finance in the UAE.

Studying Finance in Dubai

Colorful building with ornate details, featuring the blue and white national flag of Argentina on top, surrounded by green trees and a blue sky with clouds.
This is the first of several installments in the “My Global Business Week” series. Share in the journeys of Wharton EMBA students who venture across the world to learn with Wharton’s acclaimed Global Business Week program.

My Global Business Week Experience: Argentina

Aerial view of a cityscape featuring a large stadium with a circular roof, surrounded by urban buildings, lush green spaces, and a mountainous backdrop. The coastline with ocean waves is visible in the foreground.
“These are great times to travel, building meaningful relationships and deeper connections away from the hustle and bustle of school. These trips have really accelerated bonding and I’ve left every single one closer with at least 2-3 people who I then regularly engage with back at Wharton.” — Max Kneis, WG’24

How Five Wharton MBA Students Spend Opportunity Weeks

A person comforting another
“I was fortunate to grow up playing competitive sports, which helped me build a sense of belief that I could bounce back from any setback. I firmly believe that SuperBetter can develop those same capacities.” – Jan Jaro, WG’23

How WIVA Students Are Advocating For Youth Mental Health With A Startup