Earn up to 12 credits during the summer while studying in two incredible continents! Combine the beauty and tradition of Europe with the amazing multi-cultural environment of South Africa. The course will take place at a most exciting time for South Africa: people from all over the world will flock to the main cities for FIFA's Soccer World Cup! There will be a festive and cosmopolitan atmosphere around the country. Students will be able to watch the most important games on giant screens in the center of town in well organized 'Fan Parks'.
The program will enable students to learn a great deal about business, politics and society in the European Union as well as in Africa. It will help them understand the process of European integration as well as the legacy of colonialism and apartheid, and the African efforts to break out of underdevelopment. South Africa is a beautiful country with a great coastline, wine country and safari parks. It also has a very powerful business sector with world-class banks, breweries and mining companies.
Students have the choice of studying and traveling in Europe first and then fly to South Africa (Option 1) or visiting South Africa first and then flying to Europe (Option 2).
The itinerary for Option 1 starts in Italy in the dynamic city of Milan, the economic and financial center of Italy and world capital of fashion. Classes are held in the beautiful historic campus of the Catholic University of Milan, housed in the buildings of a 14th century monastery. There will be great professional visits to leading companies in fashion, advertising and electronics, as well as optional weekend trips to Venice, Florence or Rome. Then the students travel with the professors to Frankfurt, the business and financial heart of Germany. Students will be able to visit the European Central Bank, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the headquarters of Mercedes Benz (Daimler) in Stuttgart.
From Germany it's on to beautiful Paris, the most visited city in the world and the heart of French culture, politics and business. In Paris there will be challenging classes and interesting visits to multinational companies and international organizations. Students will be able to visit the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame cathedral and the Arc de Triomphe, as well as stroll along the banks of the Seine River and the Champs-Elysιes. During the weekend there will be optional trips to London, Brussels or Amsterdam.
After France the group travels to Barcelona, one of the most popular cities in Europe with its gorgeous mountains, beaches, museums, and restaurants. In addition to its architectural and natural beauty Barcelona is a powerful center of industry and commerce with the largest port on the Mediterranean. Students will visit several leading Spanish and multinational companies and government agencies, and will take classes at the campus of the AACSB-accredited IQS Business School, part of the prestigious Ramon Llul University.
From Barcelona the students fly to Johannesburg on June 10, just in time for the start of the World Cup! Students will be able to visit Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town as well as visiting a game reserve for an exciting safari experience! Besides the regular classes on campus, the students will participate in professional visits to leading South African and multinational companies and to government agencies and NGO's. On many afternoons and evenings the students will be able to live the excitement of the World Cup by watching the most important games on giant screens at well organized Fan Parks, with thousand of other fans from around the world. Individual students who are able to secure stadium tickets for any game will, of course, be allowed to attend. On the last day of the program, there will be a festive farewell dinner and diploma ceremony featuring traditional food and music.
The itinerary for Option 2 starts in South Africa, with visits to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town as described above. Then on June 30 or July 8 the students fly to Europe. Those leaving on June 30 fly to Barcelona and those on July 8 fly to Paris. From Paris the program continues to Italy, with Milan as the home base and optional visits to Florence, Venice and Rome. The last week starts with a cruise-style 24-hour boat trip to Greece, the cradle of democracy and home of the great classical philosophers. Athens, a bustling metropolis crowned by the famous Acropolis, offers an exceptional insight into Mediterranean culture and business. After an intensive 3 days with classes, professional visits and a cultural tour of the Parthenon, there is a second cruise-style overnight boat trip, this time to Rhodes, one of the most striking islands in Greece. Students will stay in a 5-star beachside resort, will have classes in the resort's conference center, and will have the opportunity to visit the charming Old Town encircled by impressive mediaeval walls. During the weekend there will be optional trips to Santorini, Mykonos or Istanbul. On the last day of the program, there will be a festive farewell dinner and diploma ceremony featuring traditional food and music.
Dates
Forum-Nexus offers a variety of alternatives regarding the dates and duration of the program, so that students can customize their choice based on their specific constraints.
Option 1: Europe first, then South AfricaOption 2: South Africa first, then EuropeItinerary
Option 1
Milan
May 20-27 (only for Sessions B2, C2 and D1)
Milan
May 27-31
Frankfurt
May 31 - June 3
Paris
June 3-7
Paris-Barcelona
June 7-8
Barcelona
June 8-10
Flight Barcelona-Johannesburg
June 10
Pretoria and Johannesburg
June 10-30
Pretoria - Port Elizabeth
June 30 - July 1
Port Elizabeth
July 1-4
Cape Town
July 4-8
Option 2
Pretoria and Johannesburg
June 10-30
Only for Sessions E2, F1, F4, G2, G4 and H2
Flight Johannesburg- Barcelona
June 30
Barcelona
July 1-8
Barcelona-Paris
July 8-9
For all other sessions
Pretoria - Port Elizabeth
June 30 - July 1
Port Elizabeth
July 1-4
Cape Town
July 4-8
Flight from Cape Town to Paris
July 8
Paris
July 9-15
Geneva
July 15
Milan
July 15-22
Boat to Greece
July 22-23
Athens
July 23-26
Boat to Rhodes
July 26-27
Rhodes
July 27-30
Language of Instruction
All classes and activities are conducted in EnglishSponsoring UniversitiesIQS Business School (AACSB accredited business school, part of the prestigious Universidad Ramon Llull in Barcelona)
Universitΰ Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (The Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan, a leading private university and a member of the ISEP network)
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU is a leading South African university with a prestigious Business School, located in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth)
Course transcripts will be issued by either IQS, UCSC or NMMU. Students who have a specific preference may elect for the transcript to be issued by the school of their choice.
Courses OfferedMajors
The program is suitable for business and non-business students in all majors.
Students may enroll at the undergraduate or graduate level, based on their qualifications.
Accommodations
In South Africa, students will stay in university dormitories.
In Europe, students will stay in 3 and 4-star hotels in central locations.
Activities
In each city, students participate in two types of activities: classes and professional visits
Classes
Depending on the city, classes are held either on campus or in conference rooms at the hotels.
The main professor for each course travels with the group from city to city. The professors are highly experienced, multilingual, and cosmopolitan.
Classes are usually held Monday through Friday in the morning. There are usually no classes on Saturday or Sunday.
Professional Visits
In addition to insightful classes, students learn a great deal from a number of valuable professional visits. Based on the courses they are taking, students will be able to visit leading European and South African companies, financial institutions, government agencies, multinational corporations and non-governmental organizations. Most visits include detailed discussions with officials of the companies and organizations. Each student will visit at least four companies or organizations per class. The professional visits are usually held in the afternoon. The schedule of visits has not yet been finalized.
Application Process
Fill out an online application here. Admission is on a rolling basis, however you are encouraged to apply as early as possible since the program will accept a cohort of 40 students. The last day to apply is March 15, 2010.
Fees
All fees are quoted in US dollars and are subject to change.
Overall program fees including tuition:
Sessions A1, E1 and E2 (4 weeks)
3 credits (1 course)
US$ 5,490
6 credits (2 courses)
US$ 5,990
Sessions B1, B2, F1, F2, F3 and F4 (5 weeks)
3 credits (1 course)
US$ 6,090
6 credits (2 courses)
US$ 6,590
9 credits (3 courses)
US$ 7,090
Sessions C1, C2, G1, G2, G3 and G4 (6 weeks)
6 credits (2 course)
US$ 7,190
9 credits (3 courses)
US$ 7,690
12 credits (4 courses)
US$ 8,190
Session D1, H1 and H2 (7 weeks)
6 credits (2 course)
US$ 7,790
9 credits (3 courses)
US$ 8,290
12 credits (4 courses)
US$ 8,790
Fees include
Course tuition (transcripts issued by the sponsoring university)
Accommodation in university dormitories in South Africa
Accommodations in quality hotels in Europe (3 and 4 stars, double or triple occupancy, centrally located, buffet breakfast included)
Professional visits
All inter-city transportation in South Africa by coach
All transportation within Europe, either by train or coach, from the first city to the last city in the program
Two boat trips from Italy to Greece and from Athens to Rhodes with accommodation in sleeping compartments with bathroom