SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SOCIAL INNOVATION (THAILAND)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

An 8-credit microcertificate program to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Microcertificate in Global Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Entrepreneurship
  • Study Abroad Destination: Thailand
  • 2026 Dates: June 1-July 24 (8 weeks)
  • Credit: 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Build entrepreneurial solutions for social good in Thailand
Join a transformative 8-week program that blends entrepreneurship, cultural immersion, and hands-on innovation in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies. Based in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, this program guides students through a full-cycle social innovation process - first exploring the ecosystem and theoretical frameworks, then co-creating real-world solutions with local partner organizations.

From grassroots sustainability projects to digital startups and social enterprises, students work in interdisciplinary teams to engage with Thailand’s vibrant and diverse innovation landscape. Weekly cohort colloquia, mentorship, and a professional digital portfolio tie together applied learning, personal development, and systems-level insight.
Program Highlights
  • 8-week experience combining classroom, fieldwork, and hands-on innovation
  • Collaborate with Thai entrepreneurs and social ventures on real-world challenges
  • Weekly colloquia for critical reflection, ethical engagement, and systems thinking
  • Develop a professional digital portfolio showcasing your contributions and growth
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
This 8-week summer program includes two integrated courses totaling 8 U.S. academic credits:

The program is structured to support a full-cycle innovation journey - from exploring local entrepreneurial ecosystems to co-designing real-world solutions with partner organizations. Students gain foundational understanding in the first phase and apply that knowledge in a dynamic practicum experience in the second. Weekly colloquia and structured mentorship guide ethical engagement, collaborative leadership, and applied systems thinking.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, students will:
  • Apply design and entrepreneurial thinking to co-create solutions with local partners
  • Demonstrate cultural awareness and ethical engagement in a Southeast Asian context
  • Collaborate effectively in diverse teams to generate social and business impact
  • Use systems thinking to analyze challenges and guide innovation strategies
  • Document and communicate their work through a professional digital portfolio
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: THAILAND

The Land of Smiles is a dynamic blend of tradition and modernity. As one of Southeast Asia’s most influential economies, Thailand has experienced rapid urbanization and technological advancement while remaining deeply rooted in its cultural heritage. The country’s bustling cities and thriving industries contrast with its rural heartlands, where Buddhist traditions and community life still shape daily experiences. Yet, balancing economic growth with social and environmental sustainability remains a key challenge for the nation’s future.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Immersive access to Thailand’s innovation ecosystem
Students are based in Bangkok, a regional hub of creativity, entrepreneurship, and social innovation. Through curated visits to startups, social enterprises, incubators, and community organizations, students gain unique insight into how Thai changemakers address challenges in education, climate adaptation, agriculture, and inclusive business.

Hands-on collaboration with local partners
Throughout the program, students work closely with Thai organizations to co-create practical, culturally grounded solutions to real-world problems. These collaborations provide authentic experience in stakeholder engagement, design research, and cross-cultural teamwork - essential skills for anyone pursuing a career in social impact or entrepreneurship.
Cultural immersion rooted in respect and curiosity
Students engage with Thai culture through daily life, guided experiences, and structured activities. Highlights include visits to Buddhist temples, traditional Thai cooking workshops, language learning sessions, and arts-based community engagement. These moments of connection deepen empathy, cultural intelligence, and global perspective.

Exploration beyond the city
Optional weekend excursions provide space to experience Thailand’s ecological and cultural diversity. Whether cycling among the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, participating in community-based tourism in Chiang Mai, or relaxing on the Gulf coast, students encounter new contexts that inform their understanding of place-based innovation and sustainability.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 8 weeks in Thailand. For this time, GEI Thailand 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 (8 weeks): June 1-July 24

Summe 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $7,950 (8 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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