South Africa: Cape Town
Wednesday May 8 to Monday May 27, 2024
This program provides a unique opportunity for students in Commerce, Engineering or Social Science disciplines to gain hands-on experience in an emerging market and learn about the business challenges and opportunities at the base of the economic pyramid.
The program will be run in partnership with Reciprocity, a South-African-based consultancy. Reciprocity’s “Inclusive Consulting” program aims to provide students with business knowledge and field experience in emerging markets. Through a consulting mission with a township entrepreneur, students, organized in small teams, will gain a better understanding of doing business in low-income communities and the entrepreneurs will benefit from the business knowledge of the students.
* Note: Students will participate in seminars and lecture (in Toronto) before beginning a consulting mission with a micro-entrepreneur in the townships of Cape Town. Following the trip to Cape Town and to conclude the program, students will review the personal impact of the learning journey on their understanding of, an appreciation for, working in the bottom of the pyramid. Dates of seminars and lectures will be confirmed.
About Cape Town, South Africa!
- South Africa, with more than 58 million people, is the world's 24th most populous nation. Considered to be a newly industrialized country, its economy is the second largest in Africa. South Africa is a multi-ethnic society encompassing a wide variety of cultures, languages and religions. Its pluralistic makeup is reflected in the constitution's recognition of 11 official languages, which is among the highest number of any country in the world.
- Cape Town is the second-largest city in South Africa and the legislative capital of the country. It is renown for its historic harbour, beautiful natural setting and nearby wineries, as well as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Cape Town was named the World Design Capital in 2014 as well as the "best place in the world to visit" by The New York Times.
Program Activities
Students will participate in seminars and lectures before beginning a consulting mission with a micro-entrepreneur in the townships of Cape Town. Guest speakers include local and international experts in the fields of finance, politics, media, and more. To conclude the program, students will review the personal impact of the learning journey on their understanding of, and appreciation for, working in the bottom of the pyramid.
South Africa Summer Abroad: News and Highlights
Learn more about the South Africa Summer Abroad Program through videos, past events and articles.
Questions? Email: southafrica.abroad@utoronto.ca or book a virtual appointment.