Lauder Intercultural Ventures

Lauder Intercultural Ventures (LIVS)

The Lauder Intercultural Ventures (LIVs) provide an opportunity to road test earlier lessons on intercultural leadership in the context of a week-long off-site immersion and related pre-departure academic work. Each LIV, led by a faculty member, focuses on a theme relevant to the site’s historical, social, political, economic, and/or cultural context. LIVs are scheduled during Winter and Spring break, and each student will enroll in two LIV’s throughout their two years at Lauder. A LIV combines academic and experiential learning activities, and thus has contextual knowledge objectives (such as learning about environmental issues, consumption habits, religious studies, etc.) as well as field-based exercises and leadership development opportunities. We also welcome alumni to participate these intensive modules through a limited number of spaces.

Botswana

Closing Health Gaps through Partnerships?

Cuba

A Society and an Economy in Transition

Denmark and Estonia

Entrepreneurial Economies of the Baltic Backwaters

Israel

Water Issues and Innovation

Mongolia

Social impact from a changing environment

Myanmar

Buddhism in Asia’s Final Frontier

Tahiti

Tahiti and Its Arts: From Traditional to Contemporary

Former Yugoslavia

Rebuilding Lives and Livelihoods in Bosnia and Serbia

LIV Application

Students will be asked to apply for a LIV that focuses on a theme of greatest interest to them. The Institute aims to meet student interest, but cannot guarantee first choices. Students will submit an application for participation in which they provide first, second, and third LIV choices and submit an application essay. Criteria for LIV assignments are: the quality of the academic rationale and the availability of slots. Once a LIV has been assigned, students will sign an agreement that commits them to participating in all the planned activities related to the LIV and to follow the policies. After signing the agreement, students cannot change their LIV.

Immersion Fees

The Lauder Institute provides a substantial subsidy for the cost of LIVs, but students should be prepared to cover some travel-related costs such as: visas, transportation to airport, vaccines, and meals. See Tuition & Aid for more information about financing a Lauder education.

Alumni Participation

The Lauder Institute invites Lauder alumni to travel with current students to one of the LIV destinations! Alumni have the opportunity to gain an understanding of interconnected global challenges through field experiences in locations around the world focused on complex social, economic, and business challenges. We will offer pre-departure activities and readings to familiarize participants with the content related to their destination. Alongside students, alumni will develop a contextual understanding of historical perspectives on international relations, economic reforms, political challenges, business trends, and contemporary cultural movements.

Faculty with expertise in the themes and locations lead the LIVs. Past faculty include:

• Prof. Heather Sharkey (Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations)
• Prof. Christopher Atwood (East Asian Languages and Civilizations)
• Prof. Hocine Fetni (Deparment of Sociology)

Further details for alumni participation will be released through an alumni portal, and linked here on Friday, October 25. Be sure to have your PennKey available to view!

If you have any further questions, please contact rochford@wharton.upenn.edu.