Tentative Schedule
Namibia May 11-28, 2024
The Faculty Development in International Business (FDIB) overseas study program provides opportunities for all participants to experience firsthand the unique business challenges of Sub-Saharan Africa as they travel to Southern Africa — this year to Namibia (with arrival/departure in South Africa) — to participate in numerous business and academic site visits, cultural tours and academic and professional seminars.
Sponsored and managed by the University of South Carolina CIBER team, the FDIB-Africa program is co-sponsored by several other CIBER universities, as well as regularly by the CIBER Minority Serving Institutions/Community Colleges Consortium (CMCC). Scheduled visits on the program itineraries routinely include embassies and consulates, governmental and nongovernmental agencies, financial institutions, ICT and tech companies, agri-business, colleges and universities, women's entrepreneurship programs, renewable and sustainable energy, ecotourism sites and other major industries and small businesses in the Southern African region.
FDIB-Africa Program fees (round-trip airfare not included) are:
- Faculty/professional participants: $6,000 (based on “single room” occupancy)
- Spouse/adult guest of participant: $5,000 (rooms with primary participant)
- Graduate student: $5,000 (based on "single room" occupancy)
Program fees include all group lodging (single occupancy where available), program ground transportation, internal group flights (if applicable), many meals (to include all breakfasts and several group lunches and dinners), bottled water on buses/vans, program entrance fees (parks, tours, etc.), group transfer to airport at program end, program materials and deliverables, and several other ad hoc miscellaneous expenses.
Items not covered with your program fee include any and all early or post-program lodging and transportation, some meals and most beverages, transfer from arriving airport to hotel, FREE TIME transfers or excursions, passports and/or visa expenses, required minimum insurance (emergency evacuation and repatriation), any required medications and/or vaccinations, gratuities and tips (daily and for drivers/guides), and any other miscellaneous expenses (mobile phone and internet usage, package shipping, lodging upgrades, souvenirs or gifts, etc.).
The program is capped at a maximum of 28 total participants and guests (including program leaders) on a first-come, first-served basis. A concurrent guest program is scheduled for the FDIB (if the minimum number of four guests is reached), including many of the same activities as the professional participant program, as well as including other unique guest activities (park visits, local events and other cultural activities).
The official application deadline is January 1, 2024 via the online application only, although the program historically fills well before the published deadline. A waiting list (in case of cancellation by admitted participants) will also be on a first-come, first-served basis and will be active until March 31, 2024. You can apply now online. The application procedure will provide more details concerning the programs and allow you to view specific payment details, choice of program, etc. Once accepted into the program, you will be contacted separately regarding additional program information, payment procedures and other pertinent details of the FDIB program.
If you have any questions, please contact Mike Shealy (SC CIBER Director). Please note that the application is currently active, and all applicants will be notified of participation status no later than January 2024.