Entrepreneurship Empowerment in South Africa

You can change the world...

The Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship (CNVE) housed in the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University is partnering with Oklahoma State University and University of Colorado-Boulder to offer an innovative program for entrepreneurially minded students. Students must register with the Study Abroad Programs Office. For detailed instructions on how to apply, see: http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/how_to_apply.asp. In order to access the Texas A&M application, students will need to search for the program website “EESA- Entrepreneurship & Empowerment in South Africa” and click “Apply Now.”

This special program is open to students who will have achieved junior or above level status by the start of the summer experience and graduate students regardless of major. It is not limited to business majors, and so those studying sociology, engineering, education, architecture, economics, political science, government, social work, and other fields are welcome. The key requirements are a strong work ethic, emotional maturity, creative problem-solving ability and a desire to make a difference.

The program is a life-changing experience, where students help and learn from historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in the Black townships near Cape Town, South Africa. Students form consulting teams working with small businesses over six weeks to help make the ventures sustainable. They work closely with entrepreneurs based in the townships. These special individuals have managed to overcome a history of apartheid, limited education, and severely constrained resources to create small enterprises. Their ventures range from catering and the arts & crafts business to community newspapers and small manufacturing operations. While gaining practical experiences, EESA students perform an important service in the townships. The University of the Western Cape will host the program.

Notes:

Program cost: $3,975.00

Items included in the program cost:
   •All accommodations during the program
   •Wireless access
   •University of Cape Town program fee
   •All books and materials
   •In-country transport including all client trips and airport pick up and return
   •Six credit hours of coursework
   •Breakfast each day
   •Outings (six are planned, including a township tour, trip to Cape Point, trip to
    Robben Island, wine farm tour, hike up Table Mountain and evening at MOYO)

Items NOT included in the program cost:
   •Passport and Visa
   •Roundtrip International air transportation to South Africa. (approximately $1,300-$2,000
    from Houston)
   •Most meals (lunch and dinner for each day, estimate approximately $600 for the six weeks)
   •International health insurance
   •Incidentals (e.g., gifts and personal items, approximately $300)

Program classes must be registered online through Oklahoma State University. To acquire credit through Texas A&M, you must fill out the Transfer Credit Pre-Approval Form which is available through the study abroad website and can be downloaded. In order to be considered for the study abroad scholarships (International Education Fee Scholarship and Study Abroad Fellowship), students need to complete both the Transfer Credit Pre-Approval Form and the online scholarship application (https://sfaid.tamu.edu/UWideApp/) by February 15, 2010. Students can use their federal/state financial aid towards the expenses on this program. Contact the Study Abroad Programs Office for more information (Irene Scott (isscott@ipomail.tamu.edu) or  Thomas Teague (tteague@ipomail.tamu.edu).

In addition, scholarships up to $2,500.00 are available through the Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurships scholarship fund. You will be automatically considered for this with your application. Additional scholarships are available through the Texas A&M Scholarships and Financial Aid Office.

For more information access www.cnve.org and click on the Entrepreneurship Empowerment in South Africa logo or email Richard Lester rlester@mays.tamu.edu .

(NOTE: the information below is published by Oklahoma State- the application procedure for A&M is different and should be directed through the Study Abroad office)

Full Program Overview

Program Brochure

Power Point slide show from previous years

Application form through the A&M Study Abroad Office due 2/15/10

Enrollment Application (to be completed after acceptance by TAMU officials)

Sponsors:

The Center for International Business at Mays Business School