Recap of the Three-year-run GSEI Program

July 1, 2016

Despite being busy with last-minute preparations to host two summer programs this year, IIB remembers the three-year run Global Social Entrepreneurship Institute (GSEI) program.

While the program is not scheduled to continue this year, GSEI certainly left positive impacts in many of its alumni’s academic, personal, and professional lives. Since its inception in 2013, 60 undergraduate students from 21 countries–stretching from Iceland to Russia–completed the program.

The program was a collaboration between the IIB and the U.S. Department of State’s Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI). This multifaceted, immersive program gives selected college students from Europe the opportunity to learn about and gain practical experience with social entrepreneurship and basic business skills and gain an introduction to U.S. business practices in the context of American culture.

GSEI participants came to IU Bloomington for a month of coursework, site visits, and service learning in social entrepreneurship. They worked with local organizations, businesses, and professors in the Kelley School of Business and the School of Public and Environmental Affairs to learn how to use business knowledge to advance the greater good. The program culminated with a week of travel to New Orleans, Louisiana, and Washington, D.C., where participants met with social entrepreneurs, participated in community service activities, and, most importantly, presented an individual social entrepreneurship project to U.S. Department of State officials.

The following are the alumni’s personal responses about how the GSEI program affirmatively influenced their lives:

Inaugural 2013 GSEI Cohort

“I am a member of the Young Enterprise Nottingham Area Board. Young Enterprise is the United Kingdom’s largest business and enterprise education charity. It gives students and young people a chance to create their own business and gain entrepreneurial skills… My ambition to create my own social enterprises in the future… has grown.” – Rachel Edmonds (U.K.), 2013 GSEI alumna

2014 GSEI Cohort

“I’m a Board Member and Head of Communication of the Young Ambassadors Foundation. Young Ambassadors is a foundation with the vision to inspire and motivate youth to fulfill their potentials, to promote positive development in society… I was a selected Norwegian representative at the Young Leaders for Tomorrow’s Europe Conference in August 2015.” – Juliet Young (Norway), 2014 GSEI alumna

2015 GSEI Cohort

“I carried on developing my enterprise (Bizplay) that I worked on in the GSEI program. I also participated in the biggest pitching competition in my university [and won]. The result of the competition, my enterprise is participating in the Founder Institute for four months, [and] will most probably develop the enterprise even further.” – Uku Lillevali (Estonia), 2015 GSEI alumnus

These are only a few of many success stories. IIB is excited for every one of GSEI alumni and their accomplishments, honored to have been a part of a wonderful journey, and looking forward to seeing and hearing all the phenomenal work the participants will do locally, regionally, and globally.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” – Steve Jobs