This summer, 35 MBA students and five faculty members embarked on a three-week journey to Asia as part of the Comparative Management Systems (CMS) Program. The 2015 trip included stops in Seoul, Korea; Beijing and Shanghai, China; and Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan.
Students had the opportunity to visit the Samsung Innovation Museum in Seoul and tour the Forbidden City, Great Wall and Olympic Stadium in Beijing. They split up into teams to visit other companies related to their specific research topics including Google Japan, Intel, Sonos, Disney and National Geographic.
“CMS teaches students how to lead and work in a team setting and prepares them for real-life issues and challenges that arise in the workplace,” said CMS Program Director Kala Seal.
The CMS Program allows students to gain firsthand exposure to global management concepts and practices. The program requires a year of study and concludes with travel to several countries in a specific region of the world. Students are split into teams based on their interest in a specific business topic. In the two semesters prior to the trip, students go through various team development exercises, engage in research and initiate meetings with business executives both in the U.S. and overseas.
“CMS was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me,” said Millie Musslewhite ’15. “I got to travel to countries I had never visited and meet with top executives at companies like Google, Intel and Disney. It was a great way to end my MBA experience.”
During the trip, students met with business executives, visited local attractions and learned about each location’s unique business environment, social culture and customs.
“CMS is a truly integrative opportunity that combines networking, cultural and real-world business experiences to propel students through the MBA Program,” said student Matthew Snider.
CMS 2016 will be traveling to Europe and making stops in Istanbul, Turkey; Athens, Greece; Rome, Italy; and Barcelona, Spain.
