Exploring Social Innovation (ESI) - U.S.A.
Offered by VIA
The Exploring Social Innovation (ESI) program brings together a diverse cohort of 12-20 students and young professionals from across Asia and the US in Silicon Valley for an intensive 10-day exploration of social challenges and innovative solutions. You will discover new possibilities for your future, learn innovative ways to make the world a better place, and meet a diverse and passionate group of changemakers from across Asia. You will experience interactive workshops, group discussions, site visits and guest speakers from innovative companies, and exchange ideas with local leaders and global friends.
Participants will be placed in groups of 3-5 based on shared interests in a specific topic. Led by a Social Innovation Education Fellow, each group will meet regularly to reflect and discuss what was learned in relation to the group’s topic and work on a small project. On the last day of the program, each group will deliver a short presentation based on their topic with the whole cohort.
For more details and sample program schedule, please visit the website of ESI Program.
FAQs
Students' Sharing
ESI is an amazing journey! It gives me the chance to be aware of, and actively think about solutions for social issues in the world. Besides of ‘Exploring Social Innovation’, for me it is also exploring myself. After the valuable 10 days, I believe in the unlimited capabilities for each individual, and the possibility to really make an impact for the social good. This is a beginning of something great, and this could be something life-changing.
Kristy Tan
ESI Participant July 2015, Event Manager of Pan-Asian Collegiate Entrepreneurs (PACE);
HKUST Business School student
The ESI program equips me with skills and the mindset needed to be a social innovator. This short-and-sweet program, certainly has helped my to sharpen my business acumen. It led me to be one of the finalist of HKUST 25 Projects, conducting a Positivity Jar Challenge for women throughout Hong Kong, Business Strategy Director of PACE and many exciting opportunities! Always embrace ambiguity, learn from failure and be optimistic!