South Africa – Social Entrepreneurship Field Study (Closed)
Cape Town, South Africa
Dates
- Summer 2 Semester - July 5 - August 4, 2012 (These dates are tentative. Exact dates are TBA.)
Application Deadline
- Summer 2 Semester - November 18, 2011
Description
Group Leader: Professor Dennis Shaughnessy (d.shaughnessy@neu.edu)
Information Sessions:
- Tuesday, October 18 from 6-7pm in 456 Ryder
- Wednesday, October 19 from 6-7pm in 456 Ryder
- Wednesday, October 26 from 6-7pm in 456 Ryder
- Wednesday, Nov 9 from 6-7pm in 237 Richards Hall
- Wednesday, Nov 16 from 6-7pm in 237 Richards Hall
Course Description:
The Field 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 the Desmond Tutu Foundation, 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 fourth week of the program incorporates a week of service learning 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 week of service enables students to measure the impact of their own strategic social investing.
To watch an informational video about the South Africa Field Research Program, please visit: please visit: http://www.youtube.com/northeastern#p/u/11/AsEnILQFiY8
Courses
- ENTR 3306 Global Development Entrepreneurship
- ENTR 3308 Economic History of Modern South Africa
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 Esther Chou (e.chou@neu.edu). Preference is given to students who have completed ENTR2206:
Application Procedure
- Online Faculty- Led application (application open 10/17 - 11/18)
- Upload one unofficial transcript
- Upload one copy of passport ID page Upload essay questions
- Faculty may require additional information and/or interview (after application deadline)
Cost
$9,460 plus a possible accommodation charge. The Social Enterprise Institute awards private, need based scholarships for students with cases of financial hardship. Eligibility will be determined from the student's financial aid counselor and through a separate application process with the Social Enterprise Institute.
Accommodations
Students will live in apartment style accommodations in Cape Town to be included in Summer I tuition. Travel to Botswana may include a change in accommodation venue.