Fourteen CBA students traveled to East Asia from May 14-29, 2013 as part of the international business course INBA 2998 “Exploring Asian Culture.” The course is an introduction to the culture and history of East Asia for understanding today’s Asian business world. Students traveled to Seoul and Busan, Korea; as well as Beijing and Shanghai, China. LMU’s Center for Asian Business Director and Management Professor Yongsun Paik traveled with the students to Korea and part of Beijing and Marketing Professor Sijun Wang took over for the remainder of the trip.
Since 2009, the Center for Asian Business has sent 68 students to Asia as part of the INBA 2998 course. Taking advantage of the worldwide network of Jesuit universities, the course is designed to help LMU students enhance their understanding about the history, culture and business practices of East Asian countries – Korea and China in particular – which represent two of the most dynamic economies in the world.
Recent marketing graduate Jamie Hunter said the trip was an unforgettable experience and one of the best things she did during her four years at LMU.
“It was so nice to bond with the other LMU students, while becoming culturally immersed through class lectures, site visits, meeting university students in Seoul and Beijing, and free time where we had the opportunity to explore the cities,” said Hunter. “If you have a desire to experience a culture that is very different from your own, this course is the best way to do so.”
Students attended lectures at LMU during the spring semester before embarking on two weeks in Asia visiting cultural and historical sites, attending on-site lectures and visiting local companies. While in Korea, they visited the American Embassy, Hyundai Motors headquarters and manufacturing plant, NHN and Samsung along with excursions to cultural sites such as Geyongbok Palace and National Folk Museum. Their time in China included visits to the China Film Group, Lenovo and Pingan Insurance. Students also enjoyed sightseeing at top cultural/historical landmarks including palaces, temples, museums, the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
“This trip was definitely the best decision I have made in college,” said senior accounting major Brendan Henderson. “I met a lot of great people and came away with new friends, learned a lot about Asian business and had so much fun. It was a great mixture of education, history and culture. It was the greatest trip I have ever taken and I would love to go back one day.”
For more information, contact Marki Hackett, Program Coordinator, Center for Asian Business, at (310) 338-7594 or cab@lmu.edu.
