A Te Kura o Tititea Mt Aspiring College (MAC) student has been selected as one of eight New Zealand students who will travel to Brazil to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

Alexis-Sofia Harvey-Wills (Year 13) will participate in LatAM Biz, a joint programme between the Latin American Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence and the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES).

In Brazil, Alexis-Sofia will work with students from New Zealand and Sāo Paulo to pitch a solution to a business challenge relating to sustainable development goals.

The aspiring businesswoman said she was excited to be selected and she is looking forward to developing her knowledge of business on a global, sustainable scale among like-minded people.

“When I heard I’d been selected, my head filled with thoughts of colour, music, culture and food,” Alexis-Sofia said. 

“In addition to developing my business skills and knowledge, I am looking forward to making lifelong memories and connections, and exploring a new country.”

Alexis-Sofia attended the Entrepreneurs in Action weekend in Wellington earlier this year through the YES programme as part of her Level 3 Business and Enterprise studies at MAC.

“It was this experience, along with my passion for enterprise, that motivated me to apply for the LatAM Biz programme,” she said.

She said the YES programme had helped her “become a more confident and curious individual who feels ready to face challenges and is optimistic about the world of business”.

Alexis-Sofia will travel to Brazil on September 28 for LatAM Biz.

“I can't express how excited and grateful I am for this incredible opportunity and I'm absolutely thrilled to represent the Young Enterprise Scheme and Mount Aspiring College in Brazil.”

Alexis-Sofia is planning to study a Bachelor of Commerce at university.

She said she aims to “positively contribute to our economy and environment, and to hold a senior leadership role in a New Zealand-based business, and also work overseas”.

PHOTO: MAC