BUSI 4117 | Experiential Learning in Remote Communities
Work Across Disciplines. Partner With Communities.
Build Something That Matters.
Why BUSI 4117 Is Different
- Full-Year, Full-Credit
- Three Field Sections: Longido, Mayo, Haida Gwaii
- Application Required
- Limited Enrollment (15 per section)
This is not a case competition or a classroom simulation. You will work on real challenges with real partners, collaborate across disciplines, and build the kind of judgment, resilience, and teamwork that employers and graduate programs value.
| Real Projects, Not Simulations | Interdisciplinary Collaboration | Community-Led Partnership |
|---|---|---|
| Students co-develop programs, processes, or products with community partners. Your work has real impact on real people. No hypotheticals. | Students co-develop programs, processes, or products with community partners. Your work has real impact on real people. No hypotheticals. | Partners define the priorities. This course is built on listening, co-creation, and community-defined needs—not parachute problem-solving. |
There are three options for the course this year:
4117 – Longido, Tanzania
In partnership with the Maasai community in northern Tanzania and our NGO partner Project Tembo, students work on entrepreneurship initiatives and many projects involving community-driven …
4117 – Mayo, Yukon
In partnership with the Na-Cho Nyäk Dun First Nation in Mayo, Yukon, students collaborate on community-led programs, school activities, youth engagement, cultural projects, and relationship-building. …
4117 – Haida Gwaii
In this section, you’ll be working with varsity student-athletes and students from Industrial Design to design and build sport and recreation facilities, while also making …
How the Year Works
September – December
Fall Term
- Interdisciplinary team formation and project scoping
- Background research and partner engagement
- Fundraising through FutureFunder platform
- Pre-departure preparation and cultural learning
at some point in January – February – March
Winter Field Trip
- 10 day or 2-week field immersion in partner community (depending on location)
- Hands-on project work and community collaboration
- Cultural learning and relationship-building
- Daily reflection and team debrief sessions
January – April
Winter Term
- Project refinement based on field insights
- Deliverable development and finalization
- Partner feedback and iteration
- Final presentations and course reflection
Program Fit and Credit
BUSI 4117 is a 1.0 credit, two-term course that counts toward multiple Sprott degree programs. Check in with Academic Advising to confirm fit for your specific program.
| Concentration Elective | BIB | Free Elective |
|---|---|---|
| Management and Entrepreneurship concentrations in the BCom program. | Counts as a program credit for BIB students. | All other business concentrations (Marketing, Finance, Accounting, etc.). |
Fundraising
The field experience involves student costs, primarily for travel and accommodation. Fundraising is built into the course curriculum, and students actively use the FutureFunder platform to offset expenses. Final out-of-pocket cost depends on fundraising success and varies by section and year, depending on sponsorships. Past students have significantly reduced costs through effective fundraising campaigns. Specific cost estimates are provided after section selection.
Who Should Apply
BUSI 4117 is for students who want more than a classroom course. We look for curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to work across disciplines in unfamiliar contexts. This is a challenging, rewarding, full-year commitment.
What we look for
- Curiosity and adaptability in new environments
- Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration skills
- Initiative and follow-through on commitments
- Willingness to engage respectfully across cultures
- Openness to ambiguity and learning from failure
- Sustained effort over a full academic year
What to expect
- Full-year time commitment (September – April)
- Significant pre-trip fundraising responsibility
- Interdisciplinary teamwork (often paired with non-business students)
- Field work in resource-limited, unfamiliar settings
- Community-led priorities (your role is to support, not direct)
- Personal growth through discomfort and reflection
Still Have Questions?
Ready to Apply?
In addition to the course prerequisites listed in the Undergraduate Calendar, registration in BUSI 4117 requires Departmental Permission and an Overall 8.00 CGPA.
Applications open in March for the following academic year. Spaces are limited—15 students per section.
Just fill out the application form below and then submit a Registration Override Request on Carleton Central to request permission.