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South Africa: Leading in a Complex World in Stellenbosch

Vineyards outside Tokara Restaurant, Stellenbosch, South Africa

The Stellenbosch, South Africa program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study how to lead people and teams in one of the world’s unique travel destinations. Fulfill three elective credits of your degree amongst the lush hills and burgeoning markets of South Africa. Enjoy everything from corporate visits to some of South Africa’s most innovative and impactful companies to a safari through the wild and wonderful plains of a national park. Expand your horizons personally and professionally alongside your peers during this unforgettable program!

Applications for Summer 2025 programs are now closed. Summer 2026 programs will launch early in the Fall 2025 semester.

Program Facts

CoursesMBA 535: Leading Teams, 1 credit
MBA 538: Women as Leaders, 1 credit
MBA 590: Systems Thinking for Leaders, 1 credit
Program Cost$5,600
Please see the “Costs/Scholarships” page for more details.
DatesJune 27 – July 5, 2025
LocationStellenbosch, South Africa
ContactDr. Leigh Shamblin (lsbrown2@ncsu.edu)
Dr. Brad Kirkman (blkirkma@ncsu.edu)
Office of Global Programs, Poole (poole_global@ncsu.edu)
ApplicationsApplications for Summer 2025 programs are now closed. Summer 2026 programs will launch early in the Fall 2025 semester.

Early Action Deadline: December 1 (recommended)
Regular Deadline: February 5
Detailed InformationTo learn about accommodations, eligibility, health & safety and logistics, please visit the PackAbroad program page.
FAQsLearn more about our refund and withdrawal policy here.

Get your general questions answered by visiting the FAQ page.

Academics

MBA 535: Leading Teams

(1 credit)

Participants will review and discuss general ways of enhancing teamwork in their organizations. Myths and misconceptions about teams will be exposed and answers to the most commonly asked questions about using organizational teams will be answered. Participants will be asked to discuss their own experiences and challenges working in, and leading, teams. An applied case study will also be used to illuminate additional challenges associated with forming and leading organizational teams (i.e., David Fletcher). This course examines challenges and opportunities associated with one of the most commonly used types of teams in today’s organizations: generationally-diverse project teams. Participants will get hands-on recommendations for leading cross-functional generationally-diverse project teams and determine key differences in leading this type of team compared to other existing types such as work teams or management teams. A case study (i.e., Gen Y in the Workforce) will be used to illuminate the specific issues with working in, and leading, multi-generational teams.

In this course, students will:

  • Describe the strengths and weaknesses of teamwork and how to leverage the former and compensate for the latter. 
  • Determine whether or not teams make better decisions than individuals (and how to fix things if they do not). 
  • Understand the role of team leaders in enhancing team performance in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous business environment.
  • Differentiate between transformational and transactional team leadership and learn the behaviors of both.
  • Understand emotional intelligence and how it relates to leading multi-generational teams.
  • Start to better understand generational differences in the workplace. 

MBA 538: Women as Leaders

(1 credit)

This course focuses on helping women uncover and reflect on their leadership styles so that they can become more empowered leaders, take responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and have the courage to develop that potential.

MBA 590: Systems Thinking for Leaders

(1 credit)

Sample Itinerary

*for illustrative purposes only

Saturday, June 28Arrival in Stellenbosch
Walking tour of the city
Welcome dinner
Sunday, June 29Program Orientation
Course Content
Monday, June 30Course Content
Cultural Experience
Tuesday, July 1Course Content
Cultural Experience
Wednesday, July 2Course Content
Corporate Visit
Cultural Experience
Thursday, July 3Course Content
Corporate Visit
Friday, July 4Safari Day
Saturday, July 5Depart from Stellenbosch for home

“Great program. I want to do it again! The ability to have open dialogue between professors and students on leadership perspectives [were most valuable]. “

Past Program Participant

Summer 2022