GBSN delivers experiential learning programs in which students extend their education beyond the classroom, develop valuable professional skills, and build their international network. These programs include competitions, simulations, and training and consulting opportunities that create a pipeline of emerging and future leaders with the knowledge, commitment, and relationships needed to have an impact at the intersection of business and global development.
Programs run throughout the year, with many opportunities for faculty and professionals to be involved and connect with the next generation of leaders and ideas.
Africa Business Concept Challenge
Teams design business concepts to meet real development needs.
Open to African undergraduate and graduate students and collaborators, as well as faculty and professionals.
Applications open in January. The six-week program runs from March to May.
In the Africa Business Concept Challenge, student teams design viable business concepts that address real needs in their communities. The virtual challenge has seen creative, impactful solutions spanning technology, healthcare, agriculture, finance, energy, and many other sectors relevant to Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Through the program, students gain entrepreneurial skills in conceptualizing, positioning, stress-testing, financing, and pitching a business concept. They receive honest feedback from Investor Experts to shape and improve their ideas, network with peers and professionals around the world, compete for a monetary prize, and have the opportunity to share their work on a global stage.
The challenge is open to African undergraduate and graduate students, who may collaborate with students from other continents. Faculty and professionals can participate as mentors for student teams or Investor Experts who provide feedback on students’ business concepts.
Social Logistics Challenge
Teams solve complex problems, considering both logistics principles and human factors.
Open to all undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and professionals.
Applications open in September. The six-week program runs from November to December.
The Social Logistics Challenge is a virtual, multidisciplinary competition in which student teams compete to solve complex societal problems — combining logistics principles and methods, stakeholder and community considerations, and technology. Past winners have proposed solutions for reliable and equitable blood supply in Vietnam, natural disaster response in Indonesia, food security in Ethiopia, and other challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The challenge focuses on social logistics, or the human factors in logistics systems. Students develop a written and visual proposal for their human-centered business solution, earning micro-credentials and competing for scholarship prizes.
The challenge is open to undergraduate and graduate students, and teams of students from different schools, disciplines, and levels are encouraged. Faculty and professionals can participate as judges to provide guidance and feedback to student teams.
DHL GoTrade GBSN Fellowship
Selected graduate students are paired with SMEs in emerging economies to enhance cross-border trade.
Graduate students from GBSN member institutions may apply. Faculty may apply for mentor roles.
The seven-month fellowship runs between March and November.
The DHL GoTrade GBSN Fellowship Program pairs top-performing graduate business students with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies for a seven-month collaboration.
The program teaches SMEs and fellows about the value of cross-border trade and gives SMEs the tools to access the global marketplace, with positive ripple effects for their communities. Fellows gain hands-on experience advising a business and learning how to operate in new contexts and markets. Each fellowship cohort brings together a diverse group in terms of geography and industry and is supported by virtual learning and networking sessions, coaching, and mentorship.
Graduate students at GBSN member institutions may apply for the fellowship. Faculty can apply to serve as GoTrade Faculty Fellows, providing mentorship to Student-SME pairs during the program.
Global Business Student Changemakers
Students complete a bootcamp and sprint series that builds responsible-leadership skills.
Open to nominated students from GBSN member institutions.
The program runs at various times throughout the year.
The Global Business Student Changemakers program brings together students from GBSN member institutions to develop the skills, networks, and experiences needed to advance their commitment to responsible leadership. The program consists of an interdisciplinary Global Sustainability Project Bootcamp run by How to Change the World and a Sprint Series run by GBSN that reinforces the skills from the Bootcamp with active, collaborative learning in globally grounded scenarios.
Participants in the program earn a Global Business Student Changemaker Badge that can be used on LinkedIn and CVs, build core capabilities that matter across a wide range of careers, and grow their international network. The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students at GBSN member institutions who are nominated by their institution.
Integrating GBSN Programs at Your Institution
GBSN programs are designed to complement and expand our members’ offerings in experiential and international learning. Some faculty choose to incorporate them directly into their coursework. If you are a GBSN member and would like specific recommendations based on your goals, would like support building pathways for students to progress through multiple programs, or would like to receive other customized advice related to our programs, please do not hesitate to reach out to your contacts at GBSN.
Partner Programs
GBSN also connects students at our member institutions to programming at partner organizations. Please reach out to your contacts at GBSN if you are interested in the programs below.
Women Emerging
Women Emerging offers leadership programs for women in higher education.
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Social Venture Institute
The Social Venture Institute engages students in social franchising, scaling, and investment.
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