Global Immersion: South Africa’s Ongoing Transformation

South Africa has transformed itself into an economic and political power, with membership in the G20 and BRICS, and a dynamic business ecosystem. This forward-looking course will consider the opportunities created by South Africa’s multiple identities, the implications of its particular history, its current challenges, and its position between advanced and emerging markets. Students will develop an intimate understanding of South Africa’s commercial environment and extract insights on creating impact in a range of economic landscapes. The course will delve into South Africa’s ongoing post-apartheid transition, the role of natural resources, developments in new-economy sectors, prospects for innovation and entrepreneurship, and greater integration with the African continent. The class will travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town during March 13–20, 2027; the first mandatory in-country meeting will be dinner on March 13 in Johannesburg; earliest end-of-trip departure would be early evening, March 20; a mandatory post-trip meeting convenes on March 26. Do not register for this course if you have calendar conflicts. The 2026–27 Global Immersion Program mandatory fee for all courses is $2,500; it provides students with double-occupancy lodging, ground transportation, and some meals; roundtrip international airfare is not covered. Full attendance in New York and in-country, regular participation, respect for our prohibition on device use during guest speakers and site visits, and group work are mandatory parts of this learning experience. Students who miss the first in-class meeting may be removed from the course. No program fee refunds will be given after the add/drop period has closed. Please consult the Chazen Institute website to learn more about the Global Immersion Program (GIP). We draw on our expertise and experience to create a positive and safe learning environment, but all international travel involves risks and uncertainties that we cannot control. The primacy of our safety objective may require changes to pre-announced programming. If your tolerance for risk or uncertainties is low, the GIP is not the right choice for you. International students with questions or concerns about traveling outside of the US should speak with the ISSO before registering.