APLP Experience: First Semester

The APLP is an immersion program requiring full commitment from all participants. During the first semester (August to December) it is not possible to take courses or to work outside the program. As a general rule the program schedule (pdf) has activities on each day of the week.

APLP Core Content

The APLP curriculum is designed as an integrated whole. The coursework in the first semester moves through a series of thematic ‘modules’ where-in regional, leadership and professional development content intersect (see APLP Weekly Templates). Faculty work as a team to design and implement each program module (bringing in key guests, setting assignments and facilitating workshops and seminars). Each module has a mixture of pedagogic approaches designed to tap different learning styles and maximize individual and collective learning. The workload is demanding but not overwhelming as time for reflection is a key part of program design.

: Participants from the UK, China, Indonesia, the U.S. and Thailand discuss a case study in gender and power.

The APLP strives to balance its vision for integrated leadership education with the specific goals of individual participants. In the first semester, evaluation of participant progress occurs in three areas: 1) Understanding regional trends; 2) Leadership development; and 3) Professional development. Put colloquially, the three main areas of focus are:

What's Going On? (Regional Issues)
What Type of Leadership is Required?
Where Do You Fit? (Professional Development)

In each of these areas there is extensive room for participants to select their own goals and outcomes upon which to be evaluated (for examples of evaluation profiles from 2008 please see Program Guide). These goals are developed before coming to the APLP and refined once here. Examples of goals include: securing funding for further graduate work at premier institutions, developing new career options, dealing with issues specific to past or current work places, building new organizations and developing specific skill sets.

: Prof. David Cohen, Director, War Crimes Center at University of California at Berkeley, and participant Gembo Dorji (Bhutan)

: Former UNESCO Asia Pacific Director, Dr. Victor Ordonez, presenting his work on the Millenium Development Goals, Education for All project.

Other Required Activities

EWC Wednesday Evening Seminar

A “Wednesday Evening Seminar” is held jointly with the EWC Degree Fellows. The topic of focus shifts from year to year. The fall 2008 seminar topic is The Politics of Globalization and Social Networks in the Asia Pacific (pdf).

Field Studies

: Beijing Olympics Secretary General, Wang Wei, lunching with APLP staff and participants during China Field Study.

Field Studies are opportunities for participants to continue exploring critical issues, leadership dynamics, and personal career options. There is a close connection between coursework and field study activities.

The Field Studies provide for meetings and discussions with local academics and leadership practitioners, government officials, business people and NGO representatives as well as time to explore in small groups.

: APLP Generation 4 participants from U.S., Brazil, Vietnam, Iran and Bhutan at Georgetown University during the Washington D.C. Field trip.

Specific Field Study options vary from year to year and are subject to funding availability. Over the past four years participants have carried out field studies to Thailand/Laos/Cambodia (2004 and 2005), Vietnam (2006) and China (2007). Each year, a group of participants visits Washington, D.C. and New York as an optional activity.

Hawaii-Based Field Activities

Examples of past activities have included:

: Generation 6 Participants in Kahana Valley, Oahu

1. Outings across Oahu that focus on important local institutions, Hawaiian culture and the isle's physical landscapes during the two week orientation session.

: High Ropes Course Kualoa Ranch, Oahu

2. High ropes course at Kualoa Ranch which is set in a beautiful valley on the windward coast. The ropes course is a test of self-leadership and teamwork.

Leadership Applications

During the term participants engage in numerous hands-on activities. In the past these activities have included: integrative case studies, scenario building, debates, negotiation and conflict resolution simulations, problem solving, leadership challenges and reaction exercises.

: Annie He (China) and Scott Thomas (USA) bargain during a Kyoto Protocol simulation.

: Nawal Sampaco (Philippines), Jinli He (China) and Adriana Zimova (Slovakia) representing Vietnam in South China Sea scenario.

DISTINGUISHED LEADERS

Each year distinguished leaders from different walks of life meet with APLP participants to reflect on lessons learned from a life-time of experiences (examples of distinguished speakers).

Film Series

Film is a powerful medium for influencing ideas about leadership and the Asia Pacific region. A selection of films such as Whale Rider, Crash, The Gate of Heavenly Peace and In My Country are screened and followed by informal discussions.

Service Learning

APLP participants will often also engage in local service learning activities. These activities involve working with diverse groups on Oahu to affect positive social change. These activities range from working in Hawaiian fish ponds, teaching at local schools, to volunteering at special events.