Spring 2025 Applications Coming Soon!
*We are continuing to monitor the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation. All programs are subject to change.
The University of Utah Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity offers students the opportunity to participate in learning abroad experiences in Ghana in partnership with the David Eccles School of Business Eccles Global Program.
The program.
Students enroll in ENTP 5800/6800: Prosperity Promotion and Entrepreneurship, a 10-week course on prosperity-based development, with an opportunity to work on business strategy with local entrepreneurs in Ghana over Fall or Spring Break. The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students from all majors, and a business background is not required.
Questions? Contact bhp@utah.edu.
ENTP 5800/6800: Prosperity Promotion and Entrepreneurship
Poverty remains one of the most pervasive challenges globally despite countless eradication efforts. Yet most of these efforts have focused on solving the problem of poverty rather than promoting prosperity.
During the course, students review influential works on the global promotion of prosperity with an emphasis on how value creation through innovation and entrepreneurship can support practices that improve health and well-being for people, families, and communities. Students are trained in consulting methods to prepare them for real-world prosperity promotion through effective business strategy development, which they will practice during their time in Ghana.
By completing this program, University of Utah students may fulfill their International Requirement (IR)and have a transformational experience by participating in community-engaged, experiential learning abroad.
Students are responsible for a current passport and necessary immunizations.*
Students are are also responsible for to provide proof of all immunizations required for entry to Ghana. Visit the University of Utah’s Travel Clinic to find out what shots are needed and obtain all necessary immunizations.
Learn, get hands-on experience, and explore!
Students take ENTP 5800: Prosperity Promotion and Entrepreneurship (3 credits) during Fall or Spring Semester and take a week-long trip to Ghana, Africa during Fall or Spring Break. Students engage with local Ghanaian entrepreneurs to strategize and address real-world business challenges.
Excursions including an elephant safari are woven into in-country activities.
Program Fee
Undergraduate Students: $4,400
Graduate Students: $4,445
The program has limited enrollment. Fee includes tuition for three credit hours, airfare, in-country transportation, lodging, excursions, most meals, and travel insurance. Contact bhp@utah.edu with any questions.
Students are responsible for passport and visa, travel immunizations and medications, some travel meals, and other incidentals such as souvenirs.
Dates
2025 Spring Dates for Travel
March 7 – 16, 2025
Locations include Kpong, Cape Coast, Accra, and Mole National Park
Taught by Stephen C. Alder, Ph.D., MBA.
Course meets weekly prior to travel over Spring Break.
Projects
Students prepare for hands-on prosperity promotion through business strategy consulting. Past projects have included Cedi Beads, Ukalliks Ltd, Volta Credit Union, Barah Farms, Momzi, Gloria Rego Investments, and XOcraft.
Learn more from our program alumni here.
“The entire trip was rewarding. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Everything was so new and something I had not encountered before. That was the whole point of taking this course is to experience something new, different, and unique.” ~ Dorothy Yeh, Fall 2022
“If you are looking for the opportunity to travel during your college experience, I would 100% recommend the student programs offered by the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity. Ghana is beautiful, the people are wonderful, and the food was great!” ~ Kelsey Rudd, Fall 2021
“We learned about the benefits and downfalls of foreign aid, microfinance, and how entrepreneurship can drive economic and social development. We spent 10 days in Ghana, and it was absolutely incredible. There’s so many applied experiences, it’s not about the classroom. It’s about doing.” ~ Alexander Becraft, Fall 2019
“I think for this course one of the benefits students get is specialized hands-on experience. It is similar to many workplace environments with teamwork. Even if you do not go into consulting, that teamwork is important. It felt good to dive into the experience.
Sometimes we talk about businesses and how they work in the classroom and simulate it too, but there is nothing quite like boots on the ground. And this was boots on the ground.” ~ Emily Best, Fall 2022
“The experience to go work in Ghana and be immersed in their culture was life-changing. Everyone is so happy, so dedicated, and are working so hard. It helps change your whole directive towards life and makes you want to figure out how to make an impact.
Many people come to school not just to better their own careers, but to better the world around them. This course was the best way to do that.” ~ Tim Dudley, Spring 2023
Experience Highlights
- Partner with local entrepreneurs and organizations to share and develop business ideas and solutions.
- Experience a new culture.
- Learn about the impact of the slave trade at Elmina Castle.
- Travel to Northern Ghana for an elephant safari.
- Build relationships that last a lifetime.
- And so much more!
Program Leaders and Staff
Stephen Alder, Ph.D., MBA
Executive Director, Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity, Special Advisor for West Africa Programs, Office for Global Engagement
Annie Smith
Coordinator, Administrative Programs
Passport Requirement
Students are responsible for obtaining their own passports and any applicable visas.*
*Go to travel.state.gov to renew or apply for your passport. Passport processing times are currently delayed. Processing is taking 10 to 12 weeks, so make sure to apply early! Click here for more information on processing times.
Connect With Us
Follow us on Instagram @ecclesglobal to see what our current students are doing abroad, check out our blog, and attend one of our upcoming info sessions to learn more.
Questions?
For questions regarding the Ghana Program, please contact bhp@utah.edu.