SUMMER INTERN ABROAD PROGRAM

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SOCIAL INNOVATION (VIETNAM)

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: Vietnam
  • 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

Apply Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation in Real-World Settings
Embark on a transformative journey and complete a Global Practicum in Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation. This program offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in practical work through group placements with a host organization in Vietnam. You will address a specific business or social challenge by designing and implementing impactful solutions that drive both innovation and community empowerment.

Situated in Vietnam - a country celebrated for its vibrant innovation ecosystem and commitment to sustainable development - the program blends theoretical learning with hands-on application, providing students with a dynamic and impactful educational experience.
Program Highlights
  • Interdisciplinary learning: Experience how diverse elements of entrepreneurship, technology, and social impact converge through an integrated curriculum.
  • Field-based insights: Participate in group placements, workshops, and projects that showcase Vietnam's emerging startup scene and social enterprise leadership.
  • Community impact: Work on projects that not only enhance your learning but also contribute positively to local communities and drive real social change.
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Practicum in Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning four weeks. Students immerse themselves in impact-driven innovation and business development, collaborating with local entrepreneurs, startups, and social enterprises to tackle pressing challenges, hand in hand with local peers.

Through group placements with host organizations, students apply entrepreneurial frameworks, business strategies, and problem-solving skills to develop practical, sustainable solutions that create measurable social and economic impact.

The program follows a structured learning model, combining fieldwork, hands-on consulting, and innovation workshops. Each week, students participate in weekly class colloquia, reflection sessions, and cultural experiences, fostering deeper understanding and engagement with their host country’s dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Learning Outcomes
  • Comprehensive understanding of social entrepreneurship and innovation: Gain in-depth knowledge of how business and innovation drive social and economic impact, exploring sustainable business models, startup ecosystems, and community-driven solutions.
  • Practical skills in business development and social impact strategies: Develop hands-on skills in market analysis, business strategy, and impact measurement by working directly with social enterprises, startups, and innovation hubs.
  • Strategic application of knowledge: Apply entrepreneurial and problem-solving frameworks to real-world social innovation projects, demonstrating the ability to analyze challenges, co-create solutions, and implement sustainable business practices in collaboration with local changemakers.
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

Vietnam is a highly inspiring Asian leader in its commitment to sustainability and innovation.

As part of the program, you will experience the country’s rich cultural heritage and dynamic cities. In Ho Chi Minh City, take an innovative walking exploration of the traditional Binh Quoi area, visit key historical sites in Old Saigon, and learn about the Vietnam War at the Cu Chi Tunnels.

Vietnam is also incredibly diverse in landscapes and traditions. Enjoy floating markets in the Mekong Delta, row boat rides along river estuaries, and bike through local villages.

Visit workshops for rice paper, coconut candy, and puffed rice, and learn to cook delicious Vietnamese dishes. Spend weekends exploring Hanoi, the ancient towns of Hue and Hoi An, or the breathtaking limestone islands of Halong Bay. Siem Reap in Cambodia, home to Angkor Wat, is also just a quick trip away.

Vietnam’s café culture is thriving, and you’ll get to experience egg coffee in Hanoi or a strong Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk. Try traditional street food like banh mi (baguette sandwiches) and pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), and witness the art of water puppet theater, a centuries-old performance tradition.

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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 4 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 (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.

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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