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Undergraduate Current Students | Social Entrepreneurship in Ghana

Two boats on a lake in Ghana
Social Entrepreneurship in

Ghana

BSPA-UB 2000: Social Entrepreneurship in Ghana | Explore the role of business as an agent for social change to promote sustainable economic development.

**PLEASE NOTE: THIS COURSE/TRIP WILL NOT BE OFFERED FOR SPRING 2024.**  

The Social Entrepreneurship in Ghana program combines business theory with hands-on implementation and cultural immersion. As a student in this three-credit spring semester course, you will explore the role of business as an agent for social change and apply principles of social entrepreneurship to promote sustainable economic development. Over Spring Break, you will travel to the community of Woadze Tsatoe and work with our long-term partners there to consult and assist with community-led business projects. 
 

There is no application required.

  • Enrollment is done through Albert for this spring course.
  • Enrollment is first-come, first-served, based on your registration time
  • If the course fills up there will be a Waitlist – set up ‘Edit Swap’ function on Albert to ensure you’re not stuck on the waitlist
  • Attending or viewing an Info Session is highly encouraged before enrolling in this course (see below for details)


Spring 2023 Course Overview

BSPA-UB 2000: Social Entrepreneurship in Ghana 
3 credits I Tuesday 11 am  - 12:15 pm
Course: Spring Semester I Travel: Spring Break
Instructors: Professor Rachel Kowal (rkowal@stern.nyu.edu) and Professor Hans Taparia (htaparia@stern.nyu.edu)

This course combines a unique social entrepreneurship experience, hands-on business learning and cultural immersion in Ghana. You will study how to design and implement social entrepreneurship projects. You will then directly apply their ideas and business knowledge in NYU Stern’s partner Ghanaian community. Social impact projects include expanding 3 micro-businesses—a batik cooperative, a clean water business and a mango farm—incubated by previous classes, implementing educational technology, and teaching business skills (accounting, marketing, management, and finance). Social Entrepreneurship in Ghana promotes sustainability and socio-economic growth in Waodze Tsatoe, Ghana. This will be the eighth year of engagement between NYU Stern students and the Woadze Tsatoe community. 

This 3-credit course can count towards:

  • Sustainable Business concentration 
  • Global Business co-concentration
  • Social Entrepreneurship minor (joint with Wagner)
  • Public Policy and Management Minor (joint with Wagner)
  • General Stern elective

*Please note: a max of one SAW travel course can be applied per concentration or minor

 

Eligibility

In order to enroll in this course you must:

  • Be an NYU Stern student in good standing with Stern and the University
  • Be enrolled at Stern in New York City for the spring semester in which you will be taking the course.

 

Program Timeline

Date Event/Deadline
October 2022 Information Sessions - October 18th & October 24th 2022
Week of November 14th, 2022 *During registration for Spring, you will register yourself via NYU Albert (Open enrollment with a waitlist as long as space remains available in the course). The Ghana Travel Team will then email you regarding next steps, including information about the Global Immersion Scholarship award process. All Stern undergraduate students who are registered for this course will be automatically evaluated for the need based Stern Global Immersion Scholarship.
Late-November You will receive an email with next steps - including information on confirming your spot by submitting the program contract along with a copy of your valid passport (see passport information below). 
Late-November 2022 Spring NYU Bursar bills post  - will reflect program fee (see "Estimated Expenses" below)
Mid-December 2022 You will be notified if you have received a Global Immersion Award. If so it will be automatically applied to your Spring Bursar bill to offset the program fee.
Mid-December 2022 Deadline to submit contract with copy of your valid passport
Early January 2023 Spring NYU Bursar bills due 
January 24, 2023 Social Entrepreneurship in Ghana class begins in NYC
Early March 2023 In-class Pre-Departure Session
Mid-March 2023 Trip to Ghana over Spring Break. You must take the group flight 
May 2023 Social Entrepreneurship in Ghana class ends

  

Estimated Expenses:

Please note: Although you will register for this 3-credit course as part of your spring schedule, NYU tuition and registration fees do not cover the additional fees for the trip.

You Are Responsible For: Estimated Expenses: Notes:
Travel, Housing & Program Fee - including required group flight $2,400 Limited Global Immersion Awards are available (see below).
Passport Renewal/Visa $130 passport/$70 visa *Estimate
Vaccinations/Travel Medication $300 *Estimate. Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required to obtain a visa. Anti-Malarial medication is also highly reccomended.
Personal Expenses $200 Estimate.

The Travel, Housing & Program Fee will be required of all participants* (see scholarship info below). It will be added to your Spring 2023 Bursar bill, which will be due in early January. Please check the NYU Bursar’s website for the Spring 2023 payment deadline. Please note: the Housing & Program fee is non-refundable after the Spring drop/add deadline unless the trip is canceled by NYU Stern.

The Travel, Housing & Program Fee includes:

  • Required Group flight to/from New York City
  • Group ground transportation in Ghana
  • Group hotel reservations
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
  • Group program and cultural activities 

 NYU Stern will be partnering with NYU Accra on the travel and living arrangements in Ghana. The trip will include historical, business and cultural experiences and you will stay in hotels during the program.


Stern Global Immersion Scholarship*

All Stern undergraduate students who register for this course will be automatically evaluated for a Stern Global Immersion Scholarship. 

  • This need based award is to help cover the additional travel cost of participating in this program. Awards granted to eligible students will cover up to the cost of the Travel, Housing & Program fee for the travel portion of the class. Following is the Ghana Travel, Housing & Program Fee and (if awarded) for Spring 2023:
    • Travel, Housing & Program Fee: Ghana: $2,400
  • Students must have a current FAFSA or CSS Profile application on file with NYU to be considered for an award. Students will be notified if they will receive a Stern Global Immersion Scholarship - and if so, the amount - starting in mid-December 2022. 
  • *Note: If you have already received a Global Immersion Scholarship for another SAW short-term program, you will still be automatically considered for a scholarship for this program as well.  However funds are limited and second scholarships cannot be guaranteed. 


Passport and Visa Requirements for All Participants

Passports: You must have a passport valid for more than six months beyond the dates of the trip. More information on how to renew or obtain a U.S. passport can be found on the U.S. Department of State's website. If you are an international student please contact your Ministry of Foreign Affairs. All NYU Students are welcome to contact the NYU Office of Global Services (OGS) for assistance as well.

Visas: Ghana requires that most visitors (including U.S. Citizens) obtain a tourist visa prior to arrival.

  • Visa application instructions and requirements can be found on the Travisa website.
  • Additional information is also available on the Ghana Consulate in New York website.
  • Important note: Proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required to obtain a visa. If you need to receive the Yellow Fever vaccination, please make sure to make an appointment immediately.  Appointments fill up quickly, and the Yellow Fever vaccine availbity is sometimes limited.  You can reach out to the NYU Travel Medicine department to ask about the vaccine and make an appointment.  

If you have questions about obtaining a visa, please contact NYU's Office of Global Services (OGS).  It is your responsibility to apply for and receive the appropriate visa for your passport in time for the trip.  Trip program fee refunds are not provided if you fail to secure your visa.  


Frequently Asked Questions

I'm studying abroad in the Fall. Can I still enroll for this Spring class? 

You can absolutely enroll online via Albert! Please enroll in BSPA-UB 2000 during your regular spring registration time. If the course fills up, there will be a Waitlist. Set up ‘Edit Swap’ function on Albert to ensure you’re not stuck on the waitlist


What year should I take this course? 

It's up to you! Where you are in your academic career, your course load and your Spring Break plans are some things to keep in mind as you consider which year to take this course. Something to keep in mind: this is the only course open to first-year students that has a travel component. Last year, our class included a mix of students.
 

I took the course in Spring 2022, can I re-enroll now that the trip is re-instated? 

No, as with many other Stern courses, you can only enroll in this class once.
 

I'm a vegetarian. WIll there be vegetarian meals available on the trip?

Yes, there is a vegetarian option available at every meal. If you have questions about other dietary restrictions, please email the NYU Stern Ghana Team.
 

Will I get sick from eating the food/drinking the water?

Not likely. All food on the trip is catered or from vetted/approved providers and students only drink bottled water, which is readily available to you, even on the buses.


Have a question that you don't see answered here? Email the NYU Stern Ghana Team.