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Responsible Leaders Fellowship

RLF

The Responsible Leaders Fellowship (RLF) is a unique post-graduation experience open to MBA and master's graduates from ESMT. The fellowship offers an opportunity to take the business and management knowledge that you have acquired over the course of your time at ESMT and apply it at an institution at the forefront of social challenges in developing countries. 

ESMT covers your travel expenses and will pay you a stipend for the 6-month duration of the fellowship, so that you can focus on putting your skills to use and making a positive impact. 

Become a Responsible Leaders Fellow

The RLF is a great way to put newly acquired skills and management knowledge into practice, while making a positive social impact. If you’re interested in becoming a Responsible Leaders Fellow, you can find out more about the fellowship on this page. 

Who can join the RLF?

Master's and Full-time MBA graduates can volunteer for up to 6 months of service in a developing country, offering pro-bono services at an institution that addresses social challenges.

For those on student visas, the RLF is included as part of your studies, meaning that your status as a student will be extended before your 18-month work visa in Germany commences. 

What are the benefits of the RLF?

Fellows get the opportunity to share their freshly acquired business school knowledge with partners in developing countries, while creating value for their client organizations by “paying-it-forward” and “igniting opportunities”.

The RLF allows you to invest in your own understanding of responsible leadership, and act as a role model for future students at ESMT Berlin. 

Where can I offer my services as part of the RLF?

Responsible Leaders Fellows can work for a variety of organization types in developing countries, especially:

  • Social entrepreneurs
  • NGOs
  • Social impact organizations

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Responsible Leaders Fellowship

Watch Theresa Rodriguez, Full-time MBA alumna of ESMT Berlin sharing her experience about the Responsible Leaders Fellowship (RLF) that led her to South Africa during the final months of her studies.
Theresa's RLF experience

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Responsible Leaders Fellowship

Beverly Dodard-Guillaume talks about why she chose to do the RLF and what motivated her to work with the Huru Foundation, a NGO based in Nairobi.
Beverly's RLF Diary

Past RLF projects

  • Ampion, South Africa, Linking European entrepreneurs with African entrepreneurs
  • Barefoot College, Belize, India, Bringing solar energy to rural areas by empowering the local communities
  • German Doctors, Kenya, Providing medical services to the slums of Nairobi
  • TSiBA Education, South Africa, Teaching business and entrepreneurship courses in TSiBa, a business school focusing on graduating entrepreneurial leaders who ignite opportunity and social change in Cape Town
  • Curafa, Kenya, Supporting local entrepreneurs with their strategy, marketing activities and business partnerships

Financial Times: How a business masters took a refugee back to his roots

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