Hands-on International Business Consulting Experience for University Students
Dive into the world of international business consulting. Work with real clients in Panama, Belize and Greece. Develop high-impact deliverables that grow real businesses. Gain the career-ready skills you need to take your next step.
What You Do on a Business Consulting Program
Gain 30+ hours of hands-on business consulting experience while making an impact
Discover
Meet entrepreneurs. Ask questions. Understand their business and goals.
Analyze
Assess finances, marketing, operations, and opportunities for growth.
Develop
Create practical tools and recommendations tailored to your client.
Present
Share your work directly with business owners and discuss next steps.
Reflect
Connect your experience to entrepreneurship and international development.
Your team leads the work. Global Brigades business staff provide guidance, bilingual coordination, and on-the-ground support.
This is not a simulation…
Real clients.
Real consulting.
Real impact.
Meet business owners, understand their challenges, and create recommendations they can use. Build experience that reaches beyond the classroom—and work that matters beyond your résumé.
Talk With Our TeamBe a Part of a Global, Sustainable Impact
We are committed to support under-served entrepreneurs for the long-term. Your work becomes part of that ongoing support.
What Do You Learn on a Business Consulting Program
High-impact work. Career-ready skills.
Move from understanding a problem to presenting a
solution. Learn how to meet your client’s needs.
Financial strategy
Profitability analysis, cash flow forecasts, and pricing recommendations.
Marketing
Branding, customer personas, and social media strategies.
Operations
Inventory tools, customer tracking, and process improvements.
Business growth
A Business Model Canvas, action plan, or financial literacy workshop.
Sample Itinerary
Explore the sample itinerary balancing client work, learning, and cultural immersion. Reach out to build your own personalized itinerary.
Illustrative itinerary adapted from the Business program. Activities, length, and scheduling vary by destination and group.
Day 1Arrive & get oriented
Meet your local team, settle in, and learn about the country, community partnerships, and your consulting project.
Day 2Meet your clients
Visit entrepreneurs, conduct discovery interviews, and understand their priorities.
Day 3Analyze the business
Work with your team to assess finances, marketing, and operations. Identify opportunities together.
Day 4Build a strategy
Turn your analysis into practical recommendations with guidance from Global Brigades business staff.
Day 5Create your deliverables
Develop useful tools, prepare a workshop where appropriate, and refine your recommendations.
Day 6Present & reflect
Present your work to your client, discuss implementation, and reflect on what you learned.
Day 7Depart
Say your goodbyes and return home with new perspectives, skills, and experience.
Where We Work
Empowered Business Consulting operates in three program countries. Get immersed in the culture and economy of Belize, Panama, or Greece while consulting real businesses and community banks.
Panama
Panama Empowered Consulting Program gives students the opportunity to take part in the economic transformation of under-resourced, rural communities. A high percentage of the rural population in Panama lives in poverty and is financially excluded.
On a consulting program, students will work directly with clients to provide practical, effective consultations that help community members grow their businesses. To further ensure sustainability and lasting impact, students will deliver financial literacy workshops to provide community members with lasting knowledge. Every program will consult the caja rural, or community bank, which lends capital to community members and allows members to open savings accounts.
A portion of student donations will go directly to the community bank to increase lending capacity.
Belize
Belize Empowered Consulting Program gives students the opportunity to take part in the economic transformation of under-resourced, rural communities. In 2024, Global Brigades furthered its work in Central America with expansion to the country of Belize. Through collaboration with community partners and local leaders, we have begun the initial steps in implementing the Holistic Model with rural communities.
We aim to collaborate with Latino, Garifuna, and Mayan communities, where there are an array of cultures and languages such as English, Spanish, Creole, and local indigenous languages.
In the consulting program, students will work directly with clients to provide practical, effective consultations that help community members grow their businesses. To further ensure sustainability and lasting impact, students will deliver financial literacy workshops to provide community members with lasting knowledge.
Greece
Greece Empowered Consulting Program gives students the opportunity to take part in the economic transformation of refugee and migrant communities. Migrants and refugees face serious challenges when integrating into the local society and are financially excluded. On a consulting program, students will work directly with clients to provide practical, effective consultations that help them grow their businesses.
To further ensure sustainability and lasting impact, students will deliver financial literacy workshops to provide migrants, refugees and local community members with lasting knowledge.
Community Testimonials
BELIZE · MAYA CENTRE · 2025
“I felt I was stuck with my business because I didn't know how to promote it or show it to others in the world. With the help of these students I feel relieved with all the great help that they gave me. It is challenging because we cannot compete because everything is social media and we are not online for others to see. But now, with the help that I received, others can know about my business especially when they are looking for a healer, now they can find me on the internet. I can improve my business now.”Aurora Saqui
Business Owner
PANAMA · LA CANDELARIA · 2024
“I started working in the family business at a very young age and a few years ago I started a small business that has been growing little by little. I am an entrepreneurial woman and I had the idea of starting a chicken business, but I didn't know how to start until now. Thanks to the Brigade, who have supported me in making the coop, logos, business cards and how to make the budget. I am living my dream come true. I am very happy and very grateful to the Brigade and the entire group. God bless you. Thanks with all my heart.”Victoria Wong
Business Owner
GREECE · ATHENS · 2025
“This was an incredibly positive and meaningful experience, for which I am truly thankful. The students took the time to guide me through every detail and provided clear, practical guidance that has given me the confidence to begin organizing and developing my business. Their explanations, recommendations, and support helped me better understand the steps I need to take moving forward. Thanks to their help, I now feel more prepared, motivated, and optimistic about turning my ideas into a well-structured and achievable plan.”Siddik Abu Baker
Business Owner
Student Testimonials
“Seeing how hardworking the clients are and how open they are to receive feedback, help and correction is eye-opening. This was a really good experience because I also took away a couple of gems that I can implement into my future business.”Jazmin Gordon
Baruch College student
“At no point in my academic career has my work or the results of it felt so impactful.
Until now, academic and charitable pursuits have been completely separate avenues of my life. I've always participated in service organizations, but they never related to my coursework/career. The Business Brigade allowed me the opportunity to use what I've learned in the classroom to make a tangible difference in the lives of those born with less.”Kenneth Langston Magee
Marquette University
“Volunteering with Global Brigades in the Business Brigades category has had a strong impact on me. As a student of Business and Economics, I had the opportunity to apply all the concepts and knowledge that I have acquired in the classroom, in the real life of people in need. In addition, sharing with people from a totally different culture than mine has given me a broader vision of the problems faced in different parts of the world.”Daniel Calvo
St. Thomas University
Safety, Ethics, and Responsible Service
Safety Protocols
- Average 3:1 volunteer to staff ratio
- Trained coordinators and local logistics team
- Trained drivers and emergency support
- STEP registration for U.S. volunteers
- Embassy awareness and OSAC membership
Ethical Standards
- Community ownership of every project
- Informed consent
- Community-led project priorities
- Licensed engineer oversight of all designs
- Working under local professional guidance
- Compliance with water sector's local legislations and regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a business student?
Students interested in business, economics, finance, entrepreneurship, and social impact can contribute. Talk with our team about how your skills and interests fit a project.
What kind of consulting work will I do?
You may conduct client interviews, analyze finances, research markets, or create marketing and operational tools. Your work is shaped by your client’s needs and supported by Global Brigades business staff.
Where can my group travel?
This page features programs in Panama, Belize, and Greece. Our team can help you compare destinations and confirm availability for your preferred dates.
Can I participate without an existing campus chapter?
Contact our team to explore how to start a chapter or find an opportunity to get involved.
What does my donation goal support?
Program contributions support in-country logistics, local staff, consulting activities, and continued client support. Request a current breakdown for your chosen destination; airfare and program details will be confirmed with your group.
What happens after we leave?
Global Brigades staff follow up with clients between student programs, supporting implementation and continuity. Your team contributes to an ongoing relationship.
Can professors participate?
Yes. Discuss your group’s plans with our team. Faculty looking to integrate consulting into a course can also explore Kambia Business.
How far in advance should we plan?
Start the conversation early so your group has time to choose dates, recruit, fundraise, and prepare. Our team will help build a timeline for your campus.