2009 CIBER Short-Term Study Abroad Conference:

AFRICA

Lucy J Reuben, PhDDuke University

Fuqua School of BusinessMarch 6, 2009

Importance of Africa Study/Travel

Second-largest continent: 11.7 million sq. miles

Second most-populous continent: 53 countries, 7 dependencies

922 million people

Africa Produces

-75% of the world's cocoa beans

-33% of the world’s peanuts

- Rare and precious minerals (including much of the world's gold and diamonds)

-Up to 10% of the oil imported into the US (with the potential for even more), not counting the Middle East

Business & Economics

17th largest Stock Exchange in the World: Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Rising Incomes

Focus of Geo-Political Competition for Resources

THE DUKE MBA GLOBAL ACADEMIC TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

TO SOUTH AFRICA

Importance of South Africa

Economic Engine: GDP = $506 billion> $10,400 Per Capita Income

Stable, Multi-Cultural DemocracyBlacks 88% Whites 9% Indians/Asians 2%

Leadership Legends: Noble Prize Winners

Agenda- Objectives of the Course

- Course Outline

-- Role of Team Leaders

--Resources

-- Administrative Issues

- Managing Expectations

- Risk Management

Objectives of Course

Provide an overview of and context for the business and economic conditions in South Africa

Facilitate a better understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges associated with business operations in South Africa

Expose Duke MBA students to the business and cultural aspects of South Africa in a fun and interactive manner

Objectives of Course

To expose Duke MBA students to the business and cultural aspects of South Africa in a fun and interactive manner

Why South Africa?

- South Africa is home to Johannesburg, the wealthiest province in South Africa and has the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa

-Africa - especially South Africa- is a growing emerging market as well as home to 100s of Fortune 500 companies

Emphasis of course

- Company Visits and meeting business leaders

- Cultural Experiences

- Service Projects

Course Overview

Course

- Meet once a week for 6 weeks

- Assignments include company research, team presentations and research papers

Lecture: Guest Speakers

- Law/Government/Politics

- Entrepreneurship

- History and Culture

Country Trip

- Company Visits organized by Faculty in Weekend program

- Company visits organized by Student Trip Leaders in Daytime program

Role of Student Team Leader

Overall Objective is to work closely with faculty and staff to organize trip; Responsibilities include but not limited to:

- Promote GATE trip to the student body

- Meet with travel agent to discuss and finalize itinerary, which is approved by professor

- Contact/confirm visits to companies within host country, minimum of 8 company visits

-Serve as a liaison between students and faculty

- Produce Trip Handbook/Manual for class

Resources

Wall Street Journal

Long Road to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela

US State Department, especially CIA Fact Book

Global News Sources

Local South African Expatriates

Videos/DVDs About Africa/Sub-Saharan Africa/South Africa

ResourcesThe International Center of the Fuqua School

The staff person assigned to work with the professor and accompany the class to Africa

Other faculty members teaching other GATE courses

University Institutes or Centers which specialize in Africa/Sub-Saharan Africa/South Africa

South Africa’s Embassy in Washington, DC

Duke Travel Health Clinic

Administrative Issues- Develop a thorough syllabus with clear assignments and expectations

- Work closely with student team leaders while they work with travel agent as well as when they contact companies to visit

- Ensure that students are culturally aware of the countries they are visiting including etiquette, dress code and protocol

- Work with your student health department to arrange the proper immunizations

- Plan carefully for the communication issues (phone, internet) as well as travel arrangements of your host country

Managing Expectations

-The course is not a Safari (We go on a Safari, but don’t take the Safari mentality)

- The townships are important and unique, profoundly impacting the nature and pace of development (They are not just another slum.)

-Business is basic, natural wonders are nice, if you can get them (nice, but not necessary)

-Stay alert, as in the States, because things do happen (as in the States)

Duke University’s

1.Travel Policies (Including Registry):

https://eruditio.aas.duke.edu/international/facultytravelpolicy.php

2. Insurance Policy:

http://www.treasury.duke.edu/corprisk/travel/isos.php

US State Department Information:http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1008.html

Risk Management

Civic Outreach and Service Projects:

-Clothes, School Supplies, etc. for Orphanages, for children in the Townships, etc.-Try to determine these items in advance of the trip to Africa

The End

Lucy J Reuben, PhD