Entrepreneurship & Empowerment in South Africa (EESA)

The entrepreneurial adventure of a lifetime.

Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in South Africa (EESA) is a life-changing experience where you’ll partner with historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs in townships around Cape Town, South Africa. With support from four faculty members, you’ll work on a consulting team alongside South African students to help small businesses grow and become sustainable over a five-week period.

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Program Structure

You’ll enroll in two parallel courses (two credits each) on the University of the Western Cape campus in Cape Town. Over five weeks, you’ll join a small consulting team and work directly with township entrepreneurs, many of whom have faced systemic barriers such as apartheid, limited education, and scarce resources. You’ll deliver tangible solutions that help businesses become sustainable. Ventures range from catering and arts and crafts to community newspapers and construction companies.
This hands-on, experiential model emphasizes real deliverables: marketing plans, financial forecasts, bookkeeping systems, operational improvements, contract negotiations, and more. You’ll also provide direct implementation guidance, ensuring you’ll not only learn, but create meaningful social impact.

EESA is a collaborative effort between the Keough School’s McKenna Center for Human Development and Global and partner institutions:

• University of the Western Cape (host institution)
• University of Florida
• Oklahoma State University
• University of Colorado Boulder
• Texas A&M University

“At the end of EESA, I walked off the plane feeling ready to embrace life’s unpredictable challenges and take on the world. I may not have ended poverty or increased my clients’ income by a million dollars, but I empowered Kudzai and Nomgcobo, and they empowered me. ”

Read Julia's Story

How to apply

Eligibility

EESA is designed for highly motivated students who want to be agents of change.

• Academic standing: upper-level undergraduate or graduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
• Background: open to all majors

Application requirements

To apply, you’ll need to provide:

• Resume: include year and academic concentration
• Essay: explaining your reasons for participating, evidence of work ethic and problem-solving skills, and any special abilities or experience you bring to the program 

Application process

• Applicants should complete the application form listed at the top of this website or apply through the Notre Dame Study Abroad Portal. We strongly recommend emailing Dr. Michael Morris at mmorri24@nd.edu to express your interest in EESA and share your resume and essay to help ensure your application is reviewed as quickly as possible

Fees & costs

• Program fee: $6,200 (includes four credits, course materials, five-week housing in the student dorms on the University of Western Cape campus, program-related in-country transportation, select group meals, and five outings)
• Airfare estimate: $1,500 (you’ll arrange and purchase your own ticket; the center can assist with logistics)
• Additional expenses: personal spending money, personal meals (food is relatively inexpensive in South Africa)

Participants for this program will receive scholarship. The Scholarship for this program is funded by the McFarland Family Endowment for Africa. Students do not need to apply for the scholarship and will automatically be awarded.

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Still have questions?

For more information, contact us at mckennacenter@nd.edu.