SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SOCIAL INNOVATION (VIETNAM)


A 4-credit Global Field Engagement Course in Vietnam

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Field Engagement Course
  • Disciplinary Track: Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation
  • Study Abroad Destination: Vietnam
  • 2026 Dates: June 6-26 (3 weeks)
  • Credit: 4 U.S. credit hours (~ 8 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Explore entrepreneurial solutions for impact in Vietnam
This 3-week summer course introduces students to Vietnam’s dynamic and rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem. Based in both Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, the program immerses students in the theory and practice of entrepreneurship for social good - through hands-on engagement with local enterprises, grassroots changemakers, and interdisciplinary learning.

Designed for globally minded students from all majors, the course provides the tools to think critically, design sustainably, and collaborate across cultures. With a focus on ethical leadership, systems thinking, and community-driven development, this program is the perfect entry point into Southeast Asia’s exciting world of social innovation.
Program Highlights
  • Immersive introduction to Vietnam’s entrepreneurial ecosystem
  • Human-centered design & business modeling applied to real-world cases
  • Site visits and collaborative learning with Vietnamese peers and innovators
  • Cross-cultural reflection and ethical exploration of global entrepreneurship
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
This 3-week program is built around one 4-credit course: BUS312: Global Field Engagement – Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation. Students explore local innovation ecosystems through case studies, field visits, and interactive projects while applying tools such as systems mapping, stakeholder analysis, and inclusive business design.

The program blends structured academic content with immersive community engagement. Students work in small groups and with local partners to understand and evaluate challenges facing social enterprises in both urban and rural settings.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Analyze the structure and dynamics of local entrepreneurial ecosystems
  • Apply innovation tools such as human-centered design and business model development
  • Collaborate with local organizations and peers on context-informed solutions
  • Reflect on ethical, cultural, and practical aspects of entrepreneurship for impact
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: VIETNAM

The Asian Dragon is undergoing some of the fastest socio-economic changes any country in the world has seen. It is a major development success story with remarkable rates of economic growth since the start of massive political and economic reforms in 1986. But the lure of modern living has a deep impact on the traditional networks of family and community that continue to play a pivotal role in society.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

A tale of two cities
Students explore two vibrant regions - Ho Chi Minh City, a commercial and startup powerhouse, and Can Tho, a community-focused city in the Mekong Delta. This dual setting provides a unique lens into both urban innovation and rural development, showcasing the breadth of Vietnam’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Field-based learning
The course features visits to Vietnamese social ventures, tech incubators, community-based organizations, and public-private innovation initiatives. Students gain practical insight into how local entrepreneurs address challenges in areas such as education, environmental sustainability, and inclusive business.
Cross-cultural collaboration
From day one, students engage in team-based learning with local Vietnamese peers and changemakers. These interactions promote intercultural dialogue, ethical reflection, and co-creation of ideas in a real-world setting - enhancing students’ global competence and leadership.

Ethical and professional growth
Structured reflection sessions and facilitated discussions help students connect their field experiences to broader questions around global development, responsible entrepreneurship, and systems thinking. Students emerge with greater confidence, self-awareness, and a global changemaker mindset.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 3 weeks in Vietnam. For this time, GEI Vietnam offers different housing options that students can choose from, pending availability. These include:

  • Homestays: Typically single rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • Serviced apartments: Single or shared double rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • University residence halls at our local partner universities: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
  • Simple guesthouses: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities


Homestay host families typically provide breakfast and dinner. Students in serviced apartments, university residence halls, or guesthouses are usually responsible for all meals outside of core course meals.

You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

Summer 2026 (3 weeks): June 6-26

Summe 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $3,650 (3 weeks)

At GEI, we strongly believe in equal access to academic opportunities in study abroad. In order to help eliminate financial barriers, we offer a variety of merit scholarships, trailblazer scholarships, and opportunity scholarships and grants, ranging from $500 to full tuition awards. Each year, GEI is awarding several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. You can find further information as well as additional resources for external funding opportunities in the following blog post: Scholarships & Grants.

INSTRUCTORS & COORDINATORS

Meet our core team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Program Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Thuy Phan, MA
Academic Director, Vietnam
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Academic Director, Thailand
Kari Cousins, MA/MSc
Academic Director, Southern Africa
Yvan Rubengebenge
Operations Manager, Rwanda
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Operations Manager, Kenya
Dang Huynh, BA
Operations, Vietnam
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Operations, Rwanda
Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc
Operations, Kenya
Mabwe Gwamure, BSc
Operations, South Africa

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