Smith Students Study Entrepreneurship in Africa

Twenty students from the University of Maryland traveled to South Africa over winter break, Jan. 4-17, 2016, in partnership with the University of Cape Town's SHAWCO-Centre for Entrepreneurship. This is the second year that students at the Robert H. Smith School of Business have participated in this global learning experience.

The SHAWCO-Centre for Entrepreneurship partnership offered students a theoretical and practical immersion in the field of social innovation in a South African context.  Students were asked to see themselves as social entrepreneurs and were immersed in the world of designing creative, sustainable processes toward social change using multiple learning strategies. The program consisted of five components in and around Cape Town, South Africa: (1) introduction and orientation, (2) social innovation coursework, (3) business and social innovation site visits, (4) excursions and tourism, and (5) working on a group task to develop a product reflecting learning and experiences of the program.

Victor Mullins, associate dean of the undergraduate program at Smith, led the trip and used his Facebook page to document their activities. Visit the Dean Mullins at Smith Facebook page for more commentary and photos.

Jan. 5, 2016
Brittany McCoy: Today began our journey in Cape Town. We visited the Langa Township and were given a tour by one of the local families. We learned a great deal about Langa's history and how it shaped the Township to be what it is today. As a group we were able to immerse ourselves into the South African culture, experiencing the hospitality, food and music. We quickly broke down the awkward barriers of our group and we are excited to learn more about each other in depth. We look forward to what the remaining trip has to offer. 

Jan. 6, 2016
Minh Vo: On our second day of our journey in Cape Town, our experience began with our first lecture on the context of social innovation by our fantastic instructor Melanie Burke. Through an interactive presentation and a team-building activity, we were able fully understand the importance of social innovation. Later, we had a tour of a Mausoleum. At the site, we were able to learn about the origins of Islam in South Africa, and we were also able to understand how the separation among social classes began in the surrounding area. We concluded the day by visiting Proudly Macassar Pottery. At Proudly Macassar Pottery, we as a group were able to understand where value and true beauty originates through the use of arts. We capped the visit off with a lively playing of the UDU drum (a West-African traditional drum made of clay). Through this experience, we were shown how the business was able to assist and uplift the community through pottery. Most importantly, we were challenged to create and reflect on our role and goals in social innovation. At the end of our experience, our whole team left with a feeling of determination on how we as individuals need to step up, hold each other accountable, and do what we can within our roles to enact change, large or small.

Jan. 7, 2016
C.J. Maduka: On the third day of lecture, the group confronted our personal stereotypes we had upon arrival to Cape Town. We also discussed how the motivations to create social change could lose speed after its initial movement. It was shocking to realize while fighting for social change, one can become like a “dust cloth” getting in the way of helping others. After lecture, we went to the Cecil Rhodes Memorial taking in the spectacular scenery while learning about the origins of colonization of the historic city. Following the memorial visit, our group arrived at the V&A Waterfront for lunch as well as a presentation from Naz Salie, a venter capitalist from BPeSA. Her passion and excitement for her role inspired the students to focus their attention on what motivates them to work because “if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” Finally, the group ended the day by venturing into the market in downtown Cape Town where students put their sales and persuasion skills to the test to purchase memorabilia from the city.

Jan. 8, 2016
Joseph Piscitelli: Today, we focused on community and looking at things from a different perspective. We realized the masks we wear, and the importance of breaking down walls and barriers to allow others into our lives and foster community. The fist-tightening activity taught us the simplicity of letting go and how to receive help from others. We visited District 6 and got to learn firsthand from a displaced resident, Noor, about the history of destruction and Apartheid. Another former resident, Ruth, took us through District 6 and shared her experiences and hope for a better South Africa. As week one comes to an end, we are beginning to realize how powerful and simple human connections like beautifully listening can be.

Jan. 9, 2016
Tamerat Mulugeta: Today we visited Robben Island, the infamous island where the likes of Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe and many other political prisoners during the apartheid regime were imprisoned. The visit to Robben Island began with a 30-minute ferry ride from the waterfront that set the tone for the isolation that the political prisoners must have felt when they were sent to the island. Our tour was given by two former political prisoners who shared the history of the island and its transition into a museum at the end of apartheid. As we toured, we saw where Robert Sobukwe was imprisoned separately from the rest of the prisoners as he was perceived by the regime as the most dangerous politician in opposition. Our tour ended with a profound moment as we saw the very cell that Nelson Mandela stayed in during his 26 years of incarceration. After Robben Island, we attended High Tea where we experienced a part of South African culture that was influenced by British colonization. With our peers dressed to impress for the lovely occasion we enjoyed exotic teas, hors d'oeuvre, and desserts. Overall, today was an experience that highlighted the sophisticated beauty and history of Cape Town and South Africa as a whole.

Jan. 10, 2016
Nicole Lopez: To close out our first weekend in Cape Town, we had the opportunity to experience a few of the many natural beauties Cape Town has to offer. As we drove to Cape Point, we drove by the astonishing views of the city and of the ocean with the opportunity to make stops at Chapman's Peak and Hout's Bay along the way. The country as a whole is breathtaking; however, the spectacular scenery of Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope left our whole group speechless. In addition, we were able to visit the Boulders, the home of the African Penguin, where we saw them in their natural habitat. To conclude our day of sightseeing, we arrived at Melanie and Peter’s home with a warm welcome and delicious food and drinks. At her home, we had the amazing opportunity to learn and engage with innovators and professionals from the community that work in a variety of different fields. Each student was able to engage in a unique conversation with the individuals that most piqued their interests. Some students delved deeper into the history of South Africa, hearing the first-hand accounts of individuals who lived through apartheid. Others were able to hear the enchanting stories of travel and culture, and learned how crucial those aspects of life are when it comes to social innovation. Through the knowledge that was shared, we were not only able to grow as future social entrepreneurs but also as people. Overall, today showed us both the beauty of South Africa and the beauty of the people who reside here as well.

Jan. 11, 2016
C.J. Maduka: In lecture today, we began by tracing the roots of personal power in social contexts. We also had the opportunity to share our individual spirit animals, articulating the personal views of our skills and passions. We concluded the discussion by analyzing the traits of successful and unsuccessful people, drawing personal applications to ourselves. Following lecture, we traveled to the Cape Town Fresh Market where we witnessed the infrastructure behind the market distribution center and an innovative compost enterprise. To end the day, we traveled to the Kensington Township to visit the SHAWCO Centre, which included presentations of the Dell Solar Labs, Rags2Riches, and the SHAWCO student program.

Jan. 12, 2016
Joseph Piscitelli: Today, we learned how creatively we can collaborate when we accept new ways of solving problems. Thank you to Helen Andrews and her team at Synovation for teaching us how to effectively use our wild ideas. We started off talking about when and where we individually are most creative. We were then introduced to the Synovation Groundrules for creative problem solving. By synthesizing our wishes, plans of actions, and concerns, we learned tips on how to not only improve our social innovation projects but also any other problems we face in the future. Finally, through the open-mindedness exercise, we learned that starting from an absurd and outrageous idea, you can funnel down and create a feasible and pragmatic solution.

Jan. 13, 2016
Victor Mullins: I must say...This class has worked very hard during these two weeks. So we reward them with some beach time and some wine tastings before their final group presentations bright and early tomorrow. As I write this reflection, all four groups are working tirelessly in the lobby. Presentations start bright and early tomorrow!

Jan. 14, 2016
Victor Mullins: Today is our final day of lecture. When I went to bed last evening, I left four teams meeting in the lobby. When I woke this morning, there were four teams preparing for their final presentations. These 20 students have performed fabulously. After our final lecture today, they went to the park and played on the see-saws, the swings and celebrated with each other. Tomorrow, we are going on a one-day safari. Until tomorrow!

Jan. 15, 2016
Victor Mullins: "In the Wild" | Just simply let these pictures speak for themselves. And yes, we were that close to these animals - on an open truck! There were many times when the students were too scared to speak, especially around the lions and the elephants. To all parents! We are back at the hotel safely! But what a journey!

Jan. 16, 2016
Victor Mullins: Today, we went to Table Mountain and did some final shopping at the market. What an exceptional two weeks this has been for the UMD class who decided to study Social Innovation in the Context of Contemporary South Africa. I’d like to give a special thanks to the entire SHAWCO team, especially Melanie Burke, and Smith’s own Jeanette Snider who helped to make this global learning experience a huge success.

By the end of the course, students formed their own approach to social entrepreneurship and innovation, and began to develop the concepts, mind-sets, skills and relationships that will enable them to continue to be an effective social innovator throughout their lives.

For more information about global learning experiences at Smith, visit www.rhsmith.umd.edu/global.

- Alissa Arford, Office of Marketing Communications