Intercultural Ventures

LAUDER INTERCULTURAL VENTURES (LIVs)

The Lauder Intercultural Ventures (LIVs) constitute the third module of the required core course “INTS 741 – Leadership & Intercultural Learning”. INTS 741 consists of a series of tightly-integrated classroom-based and experiential learning activities. As part of the course, students are required to participate in two Lauder Intercultural Ventures for a period of one week each.

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.

In short, the emphasis of the LIV program is to help students develop their understanding of an unfamiliar cultural context from the point of view of the globally-minded leader who can operate across cultural boundaries. Students should expect to complete required assignments and attend all scheduled activities.

Current Lauder LIVs include:

• Cuba: A Society and an Economy in Transition – Learn about the causes and consequences of the Cuban Revolution and the implications of this historic event in contemporary Cuban society, and experience the consequences of economic reforms in everyday life.
• Galápagos: Islands at the Crossroads – The Galápagos Archipelago is a series of volcanic islands 630 miles off the coast of mainland Ecuador in the Eastern Pacific. Famously the inspiration for Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, and extremely well preserved compared to other Pacific islands, the archipelago is under threat from climate change, a growing population, and the development policies of the Ecuadorian government. This LIV is an introduction to the wildlife and the people of the Galápagos, and we will focus on the tension between environmental protection and development.
• Israel: Water Issues and Innovation – Explore water in Israel in all its political, historical, communal, agricultural, technological, entrepreneurial, and business dimensions. Learn how this country has created innovative solutions in water recycling and conservation, clean technology, irrigation, public policy, investment, and resource management.
• Madagascar: Biodiversity and Cooperation – This LIV considers the biodiversity of Madagascar as a starting point to examine aspects of biological and social evolution and organization. You will learn about concepts and themes from biology including the theory of social evolution in order to address issues of evolution of biodiversity in Madagascar and the impact of humans at all scales from local to global. You will be encouraged to link concepts to social and group dynamics.
• Mongolia: Social Impact from a Changing Environment – Mongolia is home to one of the few remaining populations of pastoral nomads, a legacy reflected in its open landscape and cultural production. Explore how this nomadic lifestyle is changing and adapting as more Mongolians move to cities, massive new mines bring new wealth and strong protests, and global climate change puts pressure on traditional practices.
• Philadelphia: Entrepreneurship Ecosystems – In this venture, we will explore entrepreneurial ecosystems in three different neighborhoods of Philadelphia. We will discover how differences in economic, political and cultural resources shape decision-making for a Bahn Mi restauranteur in the Vietnamese community of Washington Ave as compared to a tech startup founder in University City. We will discuss the future of entrepreneurship in Philadelphia with city officials as well as high school students in a makerspace program. This comparative approach to entrepreneurial ecosystems will allow us to gain an understanding of how and why the experience of starting a business varies drastically between communities just a few blocks apart, right here in the City of Brotherly Love.
• Thailand: Buddhism in Practice, Production, and Promotion – Thailand’s Buddhist population is 94.6%. This Venture will focus on how the doctrines and praxis of Buddhism pervades Thai society, historically, politically and economically. Through an exploration of art and architecture, trade markets, business, social work, and meditation, we will encounter the multifarious networks that make Buddhism in Thailand unique.
• Zanzibar: The History and Legacy of the Slave Trade – This Venture in Zanzibar, an island situated at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean, will focus on the history of the slave trade and its abolition. You will learn about the legacies of slavery on contemporary Zanzibar, and examine the impact of international trade on this cosmopolitan and multicultural island.

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.

The estimated cost is $3,500 per person, although the cost will ranges depending on location. This fee covers accommodations and access to the lectures and visits. It would be adjusted for room sharing. This amount does not include airfare. Every effort will be made to accommodate your selection.

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

Previous alumni participation includes:

• Nancy Kail (’89) – “I had been to Cuba numerous times before returning with Cultural Ventures. Nonetheless, experiencing this complex and crazy country along with Lauder students, alumni, and professors and interacting with such an interesting array of Cubans was an unparalleled opportunity. All Lauder alumni should try a Ventures program!”
• Norm Savoie (’91)
• Frank DeSimone (’15) – “Participating in the Mongolia LIV was a wonderful opportunity to explore a new culture and to stay connected with the Lauder community after graduation.”
• Liliya Ivanova (’15)
• Anirudh Rudrapatna Rajendraprasad (’15)