By: Moses Cam
Last August, 8 IPEDers went on a trip of a lifetime to South Africa to participate in the Emerging Markets: South Africa program alongside South African students and professionals. The study tour program runs through the partnership of Fordham University and the University of Pretoria. It aims to deepen students’ knowledge of emerging markets while studying within the South African emerging market, with the academic coursework and research culminating into the creation of an Equity Investment Prospect Report. The course is required for the advanced certificate in Emerging Markets and Country Risk Analysis.
For three weeks, students had the opportunity to learn about emerging markets in the classroom while also see the theories in practice through various site visits that exposed them to the different sectors in the South African economy, with a focus on the banking and finance industry. Informational trips included visits to the Public Investment Corporation, South African Reserve Bank, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), Standard Bank, the American Chamber of Commerce, the Brazilian Embassy, and other venues.
Aside from the academic load, participants of the course were also sent on cultural excursions to expose them on the rich history and traditions of the Rainbow Nation.
While students spent most of their time in Pretoria and Johannesburg, IPEDers had the opportunity to
check out Cape Town and experience everything that the coastal city and wine capital of South Africa
had to offer: an immersive experience in Robben Island, a memorable hike up the majestic Table
Mountain and gorgeous views courtesy of the Cape of Good Hope.
The South African experience was capped off with a trip to Kruger National Park where students went on a safari to see the famous Big 5 of the South African grasslands.
The Emerging Markets: South Africa Study tour is an incredible opportunity for students to study an
emerging market economy while immersed in that emerging market economy. Scholarships are
available through Fordham’s St. Campion Institute.
