Summer School in Medellín, Colombia and Basel, Switzerland

The summer school programme is open for bachelor and master students as well as employees from the organising universities. Its content is designed for students from all fields and faculties.

Universidad EAFIT is a highly reputed private Colombian university located in Medellín offering over 100 programmes on undergraduate, master, specialisation, and doctoral level. The university offers degrees in various fields through its schools of Management, Engineering, Law, Finance and Economics, Science, and Humanities.

FHNW: Students and employees of all schools are welcome. The aim is to have a truly diverse group representing the various fields of FHNW.

The summer school will be open for maximum 30 participants (15 EAFIT, 15 FHNW). The minimal amount will be 20 participants (EAFIT 10, FHNW 10). Participants need to be fluent in English (advanced level: European levels B2 written/C1 oral). No formal document/proof needed. Knowledge of Spanish beneficial but not mandatory.

The summer school programme focuses on four major aspects:

1. Fostering the interaction between the students from both countries across faculty boundaries and thereby strengthening the international as well as the interdisciplinary exchange between students and employees.
2. Students learn how to use innovative techniques to find creative ideas and new solutions to today’s challenges.
3. Students get to know relevant tools for the successful development of their projects / business idea.
4. Target-oriented working and cooperating in international and interdisciplinary groups.
   

Our summer school focuses on entrepreneurial skills and spirit. The courses are academically challenging with a strong practical focus. Lecturers are experts in their fields and experienced practitioners, interaction between students and lecturers will be fostered. Participants will work in mixed groups on their own projects in various fields.

Relevant content in the course:

• creating a business idea
• developing and evaluating business models
• strategic planning
• market analysis and market entry
• finance and human resources
• stakeholder dialogue
• intercultural management
• convincing pitching and persuasive communication

The programme also includes visits of companies (e.g. start-ups, social start-ups, SME) or organisations (e.g. business hubs) in both countries.

Attractive cultural and social events will make the participants’ stay an unforgettable experience and contribute to intercultural competence. The programme features excursions to cultural and historical sites in both countries.

Application Deadline is 1 April 2018

Selection of participants will be based on the availability of places. A mix of participants with different backgrounds is targeted. All candidates will be informed on 10 April 2018 if they can participate or not.

The summer school is accredited with 5 ECTS (please check with your dean of studies if and how this module will be accepted at your specific degree programme).

The assessment consists of:

• Short preparatory task (1-2 pages, 10 %)
• Group work and presentation during the summer school (70 %)
• Reflecting essay after the summer school (2-4 pages, 20 %)
• Additional small tasks in relation with cultural development
  

Flights

Participants book (and pay) flights individually. They have to be in Medellín latest on Sunday evening 12/08/2018 and fly back on Sunday 19/08/2018 and Monday 20/8/2018. They have to be back in Switzerland latest on Monday evening 20/8/2018.

Accommodation

In Medellín: All FHNW participants stay at the same hotel, organised and offered by EAFIT.
In Switzerland: All EAFIT participants stay at the same hotel, organised and offered by FHNW.

• Insurance is the participants' own responsibility.
• Health concerns and vaccinations are the participants' own responsibility.
• Visa and the fulfilment of the entry requirements are the participants' own responsibility.
  

• There is no additional tuition fee for the participating students and employees.
• Included: accommodation in Medellín, lunch, company visits, cultural and social programme.
• Not included: transport (except company visits, cultural and social activities), health insurance, visa cost, other meals (lunch is included) additional individual sightseeing trips and personal expenses.