LCA Spotlight: Undergraduate Scholars Take Learning Beyond the Classroom

For many students, education is not only about acquiring knowledge, it is about discovering possibilities, developing confidence, and gaining the skills needed to shape the future.

In July, scholars in LCA’s Undergraduate Program stepped outside the classroom for a closer look at how businesses are built.

During a visit to the Maison de l’Entreprise du Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou, participants engaged with the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and explored what it takes to move from an idea to a viable venture.

The session introduced practical concepts such as entrepreneurial thinking, business models, business planning, and the early stages of launching a business. Scholars also discussed the challenges new entrepreneurs often face and the decisions required to build solutions that are both useful and sustainable.

The experience gave participants more than a theoretical introduction to entrepreneurship. It allowed them to connect what they are learning through the program with the realities of creating, managing, and growing a business.

The session also gave scholars space to reflect on their own ambitions. Through practical examples and conversations with professionals working in Burkina Faso’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, participants saw more clearly how leadership, innovation, and business can contribute to local economic growth.

Many described the experience as both relevant and motivating. The hands-on approach helped them connect classroom concepts with the realities of starting and building a venture, while encouraging them to think more seriously about the role they could play in their communities.

The visit reflects LCA’s commitment to complementing academic instruction with practical exposure. By connecting scholars with professionals and institutions working within Burkina Faso’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Undergraduate Program helps participants better understand the opportunities available beyond the classroom.

As they continue preparing for higher education, scholars are gaining the experience, perspective, and confidence needed to make informed decisions about their academic and professional paths and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Continue the journey

Read Summer Spotlight: Five Days That Set the Tone for LCA’s 2026 Intern Cohort, a glimpse into how our 2026 interns began their leadership journey.

Read here: https://www.leadingchange-africa.org/post/lca-2026-intern-cohort-summer-spotlight