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South Africa: Cape Town

South Africa GIE: Learning to Lead Differently to Make a Difference

This global immersion is designed to be a transformative experience through an African journey. It is about learning to lead differently, through human-centered, multi-cultural partnerships that have a very real social and personal impact.

We will travel to Cape Town, South Africa, at the tip of the African continent – a city that is often rated as one of the most beautiful cities on the globe. It is also a place with some of the highest global socio-inequality. This GIE offers a unique opportunity to experience some of this beauty and some of the opportunities. You will learn about the factors that have shaped this part of the world, see what business is like, and how people here engage positively with an unevenly developed society and market. You will directly experience and contribute to the innovation that is happening in this space.

For this, you team-up with fellow students from TSIBA, a purpose-driven business school in Cape Town, to take on real-world business challenges. Together, you will meet and work alongside local social entrepreneurs who are working at the intersection of creativity and survival. This provides a lived experience of collaborative leadership in action – the African spirit of Ubuntu.

An integral part of this immersion, is a journey inland, for a wilderness retreat. This is a time to see a very different environment, to slow down, reflect, and connect with what drives you as a person and a future leader.

Program objectives include:

  • Enhancing your leadership perspective and skills, through multi-cultural, collaborative learning with South African peers
  • Building your ability to ‘think global, and act local’, by working with social entrepreneurs on creative, real- world business solutions
  • Learning and practicing human-centered innovation to tackle complex challenges
  • Exploring your own leadership style and developing ways to lead that match your values and goals for the future
  • Using the experience to reflect on your strengths and shape your next steps in career planning.

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Are you genuinely curious? Willing to step out of your comfort zone to develop “future-fit” leadership skills that positively impact the world? If so, then this GIE to Cape Town, South Africa, is for you.

The program is led by Lecturer Dave Bond, Executive Leadership Coach, Change Consultant, and International Facilitator, in collaboration with on-the-ground provider, Dr. Marjolijn Dijksterhuis of Comersion and a team of South African faculty at TSIBA.


Eligibility

  • Eligibility:
    • Business Major, Business Admin Minor, Real Estate Minor, or Business of Health Minor
    • Seniors graduating in May are not eligible
  • GPA Requirement: None
  • Language Prerequisite: None
  • Class During Program: None
  • Language of Instruction: English
  • Accessibility Resources

Application Dates

Apply Here

Program Information

Meet with an Advisor

UBP students can schedule a meeting with the UBP Global Team to learn more about this and other Global Immersion Electives by clicking on the “Schedule Appointment” link below.

Schedule Appointment

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