Students Will Learn Local Culture, History, Politics & Economy, and Teach E’Ship

Babson professor Elizabeth Swanson Goldberg will travel with 11 Babson graduate and undergraduate students to South Africa as a summer elective June 17- July 8. To earn credit they will fulfill several requirements that include teaching entrepreneurship in communities in the area.

This experiential, global service learning course will introduce students to the culture, history, politics, and economy of South Africa. The pre-trip phase will consider the effects of colonialism and apartheid rule on South Africa, as well as the nation’s development in the post-apartheid period (1994 - present).  They will pay particular attention to the role of small-scale entrepreneurship in restoring balance to the segregated, oppressed communities of people under the apartheid regime.  Students will consider approaches to economic development in the post-apartheid period, including the effects of community and government programs and policies. 

While in South Africa, Babson students will partner with students from the University of Stellenbosch to teach two week-long developmental entrepreneurship classes to over 125 students at eight local high schools in rural areas and townships disadvantaged during the apartheid era. 

Students will also travel to major historical and cultural sites, including the city of Capetown, the Cape of Good Hope, Gugulethu Township, and Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for over 25 years.  The group will end their trip with a traditional Shangaan cultural experience and safari in Kruger National Park.