MERCER ISLAND, Wash. - In two classrooms, on two continents, high school students are connecting through a unique global business venture.
A group of teens at Mercer Island High School are the first on the west coast to engage in the enterprise that teaches students the ins and outs of international business in ways that their parents, many of whom are successful international businesspeople themselves, only dreamed of when they were in high school.
"My mom comes home and tells me about her day and I tell her I'v e been dealing with these people in Ghana all day," said Eric Bauer, Chief Financial Officer of Mercer Trading Company. "It's funny that we can share that sort of stuff at this stage in my life."
Students raised money for the project through an initial public offering, selling shares in the company. Then, working through London-based Achievers International, they partnered with a school in Cape Coast, Ghana. The two classes negotiated an import-export deal where they exchanged goods to be sold in each country.
Mercer Island got soccer jerseys and handmade jewelry. The Ghanans initially asked for iPods, but had to settle for videogame software.
"They thought iPods were like $10.00 over here," one student said.
One of the most unique facets of the project was the fact that the students were able to hold regular video teleconferences via Skype. The students say that was the most eye-opening aspect of the whole process.
"We saw that they were so much like us. We'd laugh at the same things. They're just kids, just like us," said Chief Executive Officer and high school senior Julia Ball.
After repaying its investors, the Mercer Trading Company turned a $600 profit, some of which will be sent to a charity in Ghana.
"I just hope this opens their minds to see there is a whole world out there that is waiting for them," teacher Carol Wiseley said. "It's a world of opportunity, and they need to know that they can really make a difference."
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