About



This course is designed to help Smith School students obtain a real life learning experience where they
will have the opportunity simultaneously to:

  1. Use the knowledge gained in their undergraduate studies
  2. Experience entrepreneurship and small business operations first hand
  3. Affect the lives of people in an international community
This is a travel course that requires preparation, engagement while abroad and work on a project upon return.


Expectations for Students:

  • Students will use their marketing skills and creativity to raise funds to support entrepreneurs in Nicaragua.
  • Students will act as consultants researching business problems/issues identified by the entrepreneurs, and develop recommendations for ways to solve them.
  • Depending on the business situations the students may help with developing business plans, budgets and other documents as needed.
  • Students will gain real-life understanding of microfinance; what works and what doesn’t, and what benefits microloans can bring to entrepreneurs in a developing nation.
  • Students will recognize the opportunities and challenges inherent in cross-cultural experiences and in doing business in Nicaragua.