Universitas 21 is the leading global network of research-intensive universities and UConn is a proud member. The U21 Social Entrepreneur Corps in Guatemala program builds on our U21 institutions’ expertise in social entrepreneurship, online and blended learning, international collaboration and service learning, as well as on our common commitment to global citizenship.
Social entrepreneurship as a topic and Guatemala as a location are already part of individual U21 members’ study abroad program offerings. The U21 Social Entrepreneur Corps program is a tailored approach to study abroad that combines global collaboration, new technologies, and impact-oriented learning activities.
Social entrepreneurship is an approach that the Social Entrepreneur Corps successfully utilizes in Latin America. For the proposed U21 program, students interested in international development will work directly with Social Entrepreneur Corps field professionals and social entrepreneurs in Guatemala to help establish new and grow existing micro-consignment supported businesses.
The benefits include exposure to economic theories of social entrepreneurship and active engagement with case study analyses, Spanish language, and Guatemalan, including Mayan, culture. The students will experience living with the local families and working intensively with community service organizations and local social entrepreneurs. Our students will make a tangible difference in people’s lives, while also acquiring the knowledge, skills, and habits necessary to become socially aware, active global citizens. The program is designed as a short-term summer (June/July) opportunity for U21 students. U21 students are encouraged, but not required to take this program for academic credit. This program aims to complement the already existing U21 Summer School and Global Issues Program.
***Note: The U21 SEC is not to be confused with the Social Entrepreneurship in Guatemala 8-week program.You can find out more about the 8-week program and apply for it through the Office of Global Affairs.