SUMMER INTERN ABROAD PROGRAM

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SOCIAL INNOVATION (SOUTH AFRICA)

GLOBAL PRACTICUM

A 4-credit global practicum to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Practicum Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation
  • Intern Abroad Destination: South Africa
  • 2026 Dates: June 27-July 24 (4 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

Make a real-world impact with South African social innovators
This 4-week practicum immerses students in South Africa’s social innovation ecosystem through a hands-on placement with a local organization. Based in Cape Town, students work on real-world projects in areas such as business strategy, inclusive marketing, sustainability planning, or community development - while learning to navigate complex social, cultural, and ethical contexts.

The program is ideal for students who want to move beyond the classroom and contribute to meaningful change. With structured mentorship, peer collaboration, and weekly reflection sessions, students deepen their professional skills and global perspective as emerging leaders in innovation and social impact.
Program Highlights
  • Supervised practicum with a South African social enterprise, startup, or grassroots organization
  • Field-based collaboration with local changemakers addressing real challenges
  • Mentorship and reflection colloquiums to support professional and ethical development
  • Immersive cultural engagement in one of Africa’s most diverse and entrepreneurial cities
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
This 4-week program features one integrated 4-credit course, a Global Practicum in Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation. Students are placed with local host organizations in teams and contribute to a defined project throughout the program. Weekly colloquiums foster structured reflection, ethical inquiry, and the integration of experiential learning.
Learning Outcomes
By completing this program, students will be able to:
  • Execute a professional-level project in collaboration with a local partner organization
  • Apply tools and principles from entrepreneurship and innovation in a global setting
  • Demonstrate intercultural communication, collaboration, and adaptability
  • Reflect critically on ethical issues, leadership practices, and global engagement
  • Document their learning and impact through a professional digital portfolio
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa has emerged from its troubled and turbulent past into a healthy democratic country and the economic powerhouse of the African continent. At the same time, it’s a great place to witness a society going through dynamic changes, as it can still be considered both a developed and an underdeveloped country. South Africans forge a new identity, strongly embracing their unique multicultural character.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Cape Town as a living innovation lab
Students gain a ground-level view of how innovation emerges in South Africa - working directly with social ventures, small businesses, or NGOs. Each placement is selected based on student interests and local needs, ensuring mutual benefit and relevance.

Community engagement & cultural insight
The program blends work with immersive cultural learning. Students explore Cape Town through guided heritage tours, community storytelling, food and arts experiences, and township visits - gaining a richer understanding of the values and histories that shape South African entrepreneurship.
Mentorship & reflection
Weekly colloquiums provide space for deep reflection, peer support, and mentorship. Topics include global ethics, decolonial leadership, systems thinking, and personal growth. Students are encouraged to connect their field experiences to broader themes of global responsibility and social justice.

Professional development
Throughout the program, students build a digital portfolio that showcases their work, learning journey, and skill development. By the end, students emerge with a clearer sense of purpose, a network of global contacts, and tangible experience in innovation for social good.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 4 weeks in South Africa. For this time, GEI South Africa 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 (4 weeks): June 27-July 24

Summe 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $3,950 (4 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.

RWANDA

STAFF

All of our staff are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Yvan Rubengebenge
Center Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Coordinator
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Program & Student Services Coordinator
Rachel Irakoze, BA
Program & Student Services Coordinator
Espoir Baraka, BA
Student Life Coordinator
Janvier Muhire, MSc
Student Life Coordinator
Kelly Uwase
Student Life Coordinator

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