Arni C. Thorsteinson Exchange Program

The Arni C. Thorsteinson Exchange Program involves participants from Ben Gurion University of the Negev and the Asper School of Business.  A total of 20 undergraduates from the two institutions will participate in the 2011 exchange.  This program is made possible by the generous financial support of University of Manitoba alumnae and CEO of Onex, Mr. Gerald Schwartz.  It is named in honour of his good friend and mentor, Arni Thorsteinson.  The program’s goals are to increase the interest level and awareness of the participants in the field of international business and improve their knowledge level regarding the cultural and political history of Canada and Israel.  Taking place during month of August, the exchange is an intense, month long program that involves the participants visiting both countries and interacting with business leaders on a continuous basis.  The program will begin in Winnipeg where teams and topics will be assigned.  During the Winnipeg portion of the exchange, participants will receive the background class work and develop an outline for their proposed strategy.   From Winnipeg they will move to Toronto where they will discuss their strategy with senior business leaders.   After completing their Toronto interviews the participants head to Israel where they will refine their strategy based on the feedback received.  They will then meet with business leaders in Tel Aviv to review the revised strategy and seek further input.  The course will conclude with a presentation of a final version of the strategy to a panel of experts.  To enhance the coordination of the teams all the participants will live in residence during the course of the program.  In addition to the academic portion of the program, each side will enjoy unique cultural experiences.  In Canada this will include a voyageur experience and golf while in Israel the participants will visit Jerusalem and the Dead Sea.

Please contact the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship for more information on the program.