SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SOCIAL INNOVATION (VIETNAM)

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: Vietnam
  • 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

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Drive Change Through Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation
The Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation program equips students and early-career professionals with the skills and experience to tackle global challenges through innovative, impact-driven solutions. Participants engage in hands-on learning, collaboration with local entrepreneurs, and exposure to emerging markets in Africa and Asia.

This program provides a unique blend of experiential learning and professional practice, allowing participants to co-create solutions with local organizations, startups, and social enterprises. Whether working on sustainable business models, inclusive technologies, or community-driven development projects, participants gain the tools to become effective global changemakers.

Beyond the placement, the program offers structured mentorship, leadership development, and networking opportunities. Students explore real-world case studies, participate in skill-building workshops, and connect with local innovators shaping their industries.

Programs are available year-round, with flexible durations (minimum 2 weeks for short-term and 4 weeks for internship-based experiences).
Program Highlights
  • Hands-on experience in social innovation: Work with local entrepreneurs and social enterprises to develop and implement impactful business solutions.
  • Intercultural collaboration & global networks: Engage with mentors, peers, and innovators across Africa and Asia, gaining firsthand insight into diverse markets and business ecosystems.
  • Leadership & problem-solving development: Strengthen entrepreneurial skills, creative thinking, and adaptability through real-world projects and structured learning modules.
  • Tailored placements & flexible formats: Participate in short-term experiential programs or longer internships, customized to your interests and career goals.

ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit summer program spanning eight weeks. Students embark on a transformative learning journey, exploring how business, innovation, and social impact intersect to address critical global challenges.

The program consists of two main courses and a capstone project, delivered in a structured sequence that progresses from theoretical foundations to hands-on application. Students engage with local entrepreneurs, social enterprises, and community organizations, gaining both strategic insight and practical experience in driving sustainable, impact-driven solutions.

This integrated approach ensures that students not only understand the fundamentals of social entrepreneurship but also apply their skills in real-world settings, co-creating solutions with local changemakers.
Learning Outcomes
  • Comprehensive understanding of social innovation and entrepreneurship: Gain a nuanced understanding of how business and innovation can address pressing global and local challenges through targeted modules and field-based learning.
  • Practical skills in impact-driven business and innovation: Develop hands-on skills by working directly with social enterprises, startups, and community-driven initiatives, applying entrepreneurial thinking and problem-solving in real-world contexts.
  • Strategic application of knowledge: Apply theoretical frameworks and business models to real-world social innovation projects, demonstrating the ability to design, test, and implement impact-driven solutions during the Global Practicum.
Further Details
Empty space, drag to resize

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.

Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 8 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 (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

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE