Summer School in Medellín, Colombia and Basel, Switzerland
Entrepreneurship in a cross-cultural context
The summer school is a two-week programme open to Swiss and Colombian students from all faculties as well as university employees. During two exciting and challenging weeks, participants take a deep dive into the world of entrepreneurship by developing projects and business ideas from all fields of study, attending courses, visiting different organisations, discovering local culture and expand relevant networks with people from Colombia and Switzerland. The course combines profit, non-profit and sustainable projects at the same time.
Entrepreneurship in a cross-cultural context
Rolf Meyer
Programme
All Students and faculty members of the participating universities.
Universidad EAFIT is a highly reputed private Colombian university located in Medellín offering over 100 programmes on undergraduate, master, specialization, 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 divers group representing the various fields of FHNW.
The summer school will be open for maximum 30 participants (15 EAFIT, 15 FHNW). 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 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 each faculty of the participating universities.
The summer school programme focuses on four major aspects:
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.
Students learn how to use innovative techniques to find creative ideas and new solutions to today’s challenges.
Students get to know relevant tools for the successful development of their projects / business idea.
Target-oriented working and cooperating in international and interdisciplinary groups.
Our summer school focus 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’s) or organisations (e.g. business hubs) in both country.
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 each country.
Before the summer school:
Online preparatory seminars. Students will get insights about the main topics (15 - 20 hours)
Applications for next year will open soon. 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 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 a group work and presentation during the summer school.
Flights
Participants book (and pay) flights individually
Accommodation
In Medellín: All FHNW participants stay at the same hotel, organized and offered by EAFIT. In Switzerland: All EAFIT participants stay at the same hotel, organized 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.
