Field Studies

Each year a mix of community members and PSU students travel to India to spend a few weeks working, learning and collaborating with social enterprises.  While there, you'll experience the real-life struggles and successes of social entrepreneurs in one of the world's most inspiring places.

The School of Business Administration at Portland State University and seMagicBus partner to deliver the tours.

About the 2012 Program:

During this rigorous, two-week experiential course, students and community members will learn about social enterprise through a combination of site visits to social enterprises, applied field work, meetings with subject matter experts and social entrepreneurs, group discussions, video and written cases, readings and lectures.

From December 9-21, students will spend their time between the city of Hyderabad and the surrounding rural area. Week one focuses on the theory and practice of conducting primary field research, while week two consists of hands-on consulting projects for local social entrepreneurs. Using a practice to theory approach, participants will explore a variety of societal problems — poverty, illiteracy, livelihood development, access to healthcare, energy, potable water, access to credit — and then examine different social enterprise business models that address these problems. They will also assess key strategic and operational issues related to social enterprise both as a business entity and a social change strategy.

"The most incredible part of the journey was being in the field with the people of India and seeing social impact take shape. No classroom alone could offer this kind of inspiring and humbling experience."

--Amelia Pape, 2009 India SEFS, co-founder of My Street Grocery.