SETS: South Africa

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Program Dates

Arrival: September 4, 2016

Departure: September 16, 2016

*Students will need to account for travel of 1-2 days for both arrival and departure.

 

Study Tour to South Africa

This two-week study trip in early September will provide first-hand insights into technology and engineering based businesses in South Africa. Two weeks will be split between Johannesburg and Cape Town. South Africa is one of GEP’s new exciting location this year, and SETS-South Africa will focus on disruptive, appropriate and intermediate technologies and Social entrepreneurship.

Students will also visit cultural sites, meet with local university students and network with Stanford alumni.
 
Through participation, students will 1) gain knowledge of a wide spectrum of technology-based companies in South Africa 2) understand how South Africa seeks to draw upon business techniques to find solutions to social problems 3) understand, in a comparative approach, how western companies localize to stay competitive  4) experience first-hand the social and environmental impact of these businesses and 5) be exposed to South Africa’s push toward an innovation- and entrepreneurship-driven economy and the challenges faced in the process. Prior to departure, students will go through a curriculum targeted at understanding the state of technology business in South Africa in order to maximize the learning experience students will have on the ground.

Topics to be explored through company visits and discussions include:

  • Technology Entrepreneurship 
  • Innovation and Design
  • Internet and E-Commerce
  • Energy and Environmental Solutions
  • Manufacturing and Trading 
  • Business Culture
  • State Owned Enterprises

 

Trip Leaders

Faculty Leader: Prof. Tina Seelig, MS&E

Student Lead: TBD

 

Overview of Responsibilities

Students receive two units of credit through this Technology and Engineering Study Tour which is being run in partnership with the Bing Overseas Studies Program (BOSP). Students pay a course fee of $600 that covers lodging and meals during the program, as well as activities that are part of the class itself. The course fee does not cover international round-trip airfare to and from the overseas program location. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for this round-trip transportation on their own, including getting themselves to the specific program location from their home airport upon arrival and from the program location back to their home airport for their departure. Additionally, students are responsible for costs for visa, pre-departure immunization costs, course materials, health insurance and all other incidental expenses. Financial assistance towards the seminar fee and airfare may be available from SOE for students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

  • Pre-departure orientations at Stanford and arrival orientations will be provided through the program. 
  • You are required to make sure to have a passport, with at least one blank visa page, that is valid for at least six months after date of departure.
  • Any required documentation for applying for visas will be provided by the seminar.

 

APPLICATION

15 students will be selected to participate in this program.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 5, 2016

A complete application consists of: an application form completed online, a recommendation form, and an unofficial Stanford transcript.

  • Step 1 - Read the School of Engineering Global Engineering Programs Participation Agreement 2015/2016. You will be asked to electronically agree to this document on the online application form. This document can be found to the right on this page -->

 

  • Step 3 – Finalist Interviews: Finalists will be notified shortly after the application deadline, and will be asked to schedule a short in-person interview. Candidates will be selected based on overall fit with the program, especially proven demonstration of teamwork. A selection committee will screen and interview the candidates.

Results will be announced March 4, 2016!

 

Contacts

Tori W. Bianchi, Global Engineering Programs Manager

Email: vwbianchi@stanford.edu

Phone: 650-498-0716