South Africa

 Social Entrepreneurship and Business Consulting

Note: ENTR2206 is NOT a required prerequisite for this year’s South Africa Program 

 

Description

The INV (International New Venture) South African field research program is a hands-on, field-based research program focused on social entrepreneurship in Cape Town, South Africa. Developed in 2008 by Executive Professor Dennis Shaughnessy, this academically rigorous program will enable students to learn more about global development and how business, innovation and entrepreneurship can lift families out of poverty. You will work hands-on with disadvantaged students of color from a free university (TSiBA) in slums and informal settlements to help contribute to community-based solutions to poverty and its attendant conditions.

Apply through the Global Experience Office (applications open October 2018)

 

Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu has praised our program for its contributions to social justice, inter-cultural understanding, community engagement and poverty alleviation.

 

Program Overview

The first week of Summer 2 will be spent on the NU campus, with day classes and evening and weekend activities. When we arrive in-country, students will work directly with urban entrepreneurs from township communities to help grow their micro-businesses through an Entrepreneur Consultation Project.

The academic portion of the program includes subject material such as social entrepreneurship, social enterprise development, micro-finance, impact investing, and small business management. Classes are supplemented with site visits to social businesses and enterprises in the surrounding Cape Town or Cape Flats area.

Site visits also include guest lecturers from local social enterprises and businesses, visits to Robben Island, the Langa township, and other historical and cultural sites. Students also attend guest lectures by South African historians, politicians, journalists, faculty, venture capitalists, doctors and researchers to engage in discussions relevant to South African history post-apartheid, and how the country’s controversial history has led to its modern day business climate.

Weekends include student led service learning projects and thoughtful community service. In this service learning exercise, students are encouraged to research which organizations they wish to support, and fundraise towards their project goal; this component of the program enables students to see impact of their own strategic social investing. Weekends also include excursions, hiking trips, and an overnight safari.

 

More Information

 

Courses

Both courses are also regional electives for International Affairs majors/minors (Africa) 


Host Institution: The Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA)


Eligibility Requirements

  • Please note this program is only open to students with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Students who do not meet this requirement but still wish to apply must contact SEI at sei@neu.edu so additional arrangements can be made to facilitate a reference.
  • All students will have supplemental interviews in addition to the online application.

IMPORTANT: This program is academically rigorous (expect day and periodic evening classes in addition to field experience); this program is mission-driven at all times (expect community service at least one day of the weekend), and most importantly, this program has high expectations for mature students who understand that alcohol consumption is not the “end all” for having a good time abroad. This does not mean that the program is “dry” (meaning alcohol consumption is prohibited), but we expect that students will sign a contract for a self-enforced commitment to restricted alcohol usage.

 If you have specific questions about these requirements, please contact sei@neu.edu


Accommodations

Students will be staying in apartment-style accommodations near the waterfront area of Cape Town. Apartments are either two bedrooms, or one bedroom shared with kitchens, living rooms, and study areas. The building is equipped with Wi-Fi in certain areas, fee-for-service Wi-Fi in the apartments, laundry room, and gated security.


Destination

Students will be based in Cape Town, South Africa located in the Western Province. Students will have the opportunity to visit many townships in the Cape Flats area for site visits and their consultation program. 


Disclaimer

Some information posted here is tentative and subject to change based on costs and dates of available flights. The website is updated as current information becomes available.