Cape Town: Social Entrepreneurship Field Study and Research (closed)
Cape Town, South Africa
Dates
- Summer 2 Semester - June 28- August 1, 2013
Application Deadline
- Summer 2 Semester - 11/15/12 – some programs may remain open until 12/14/12
Description
Faculty Leader: Dennis Shaughessy (d.shaughnessy@neu.edu) and Gordon Adomdza (g.adomdza@neu.edu)
Study Abroad Coordinator: Colleen Boyle (c.boyle@neu.edu)
Summer II
Courses: ENTR3306 Global Development Entrepreneurship & ENTR3308 Business Economic History of Modern South Africa
Description:
The Social Entrepreneurship Field Study & Research Program in South Africa is built on the theme of social entrepreneurship in urban township communities, specific to Cape Town, South Africa. The academic portion of the program includes subject material such as social entrepreneurship, social enterprise development, micro-finance, business solutions to ending poverty 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 include guest lecturers from local social enterprises and businesses, visit(s) to Robben Island, Parliament and other historical/cultural sites. Students also attend guest lectures by South African historians, politicians, journalists, venture capitalists, doctors and researchers to engage students in discussion of topics relevant to South Africa post-apartheid, such as the modern business climate and the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the South African economy.
In the afternoons, students gain field experience by working with entrepreneurs to help build small businesses in township communities such as Khayelitsha, Langa and Gugulethu. The consultation teams are made up of Northeastern students in addition to TSiBA (Tertiary School in Business Administration) students. At the end of the three week consultation/"field research" experience, students present their business consultation deliverable to a panel of student peers and judges from the TSiBA Entrepreneurship Centre, who later determine whether or not the business is eligible for an equity investment from the NU-TSiBA MicroVenture Fund, a privately funded micro-equity fund for small business owners or entrepreneurs from township communities. Eligible businesses can receive equity investments between $1,000-$10,000 USD. This portion of the program allows students to gain real life "consultation" experience and also illustrates the practice of venture capital for business development, particularly in an emerging market economy such as South Africa. The third and fourth week of the program incorporates a social enterprise innovation & design consultation project, aimed to serve the “base of the pyramid”.
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 measure the impact of their own strategic social investing.
Weekends also include excursions, hiking trips and visits to explore the local flora and fauna of South Africa.
To watch an informational video about the South Africa Social Entrepreneurship Field Study & Research Program, please visit: please visit: http://www.youtube.com/northeastern#p/u/11/AsEnILQFiY8
Courses
- ENTR3306 Global Development Entrepreneurship
- ENTR3308 Business Economic History of Modern South Africa
Host University
The Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA)
Website: www.tsiba.org.za
Eligibility Requirements
Please note this program is only open to students with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Students who do not meet this requirement but still wish to apply must contact Esther Chou (e.chou@neu.edu) so additional arrangements can be made to facilitate a reference. Preference is given to students who have completed ENTR2206: Social Entrepreneurship with Professor Dennis Shaughnessy. All students must attend supplemental interviews in addition to the online application.
Application Procedure
- Online Dialogue of Civilizations application (available on OISP website)
- Unofficial transcript which you can download and print from MyNEU
- One copy of passport ID page – To be given directly to your faculty leader after acceptance.
- 2-3 page essay answering the following questions:
- What are your personal and academic reasons for wishing to participate in this Dialogue of Civilizations program?
- How will the program further your academic and career goals?
- What is your previous travel and language experience, if any?
- What courses have you taken which are directly relevant to the program?
**Faculty may require additional information and/or interview (after application deadline)
**Please note that prior to 11/15/12 your unofficial transcript and essay should be handed in to OISP. After 11/15/12, please send them directly to your faculty leader
Cost
Tuition: $9,830
DOC Fee: $2,000
Tuition and DOC Fee cover 8 Northeastern credits, round-trip airfare from Boston, housing for program duration, International SOS assistance, as well as some local transport, excursions and group meals.
Accommodations
Students stay in shared apartment style complexes in Cape Town which includes washer and dryer in certain units, occasional internet access and kitchens. This program covers some meals.
Destination
Cape Town, townships (Langa, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Crossroads and many more) plus site visits and excursions throughout Western Province.