eMBA China trip - December 2018

Introduction: A group of eMBA students went on an experiential learning tour to China from December 2-12, 2018. This report summarizes the key elements of the tour that explains how the integration of the overseas trip into the eMBA curriculum supports the engagement, innovation and its impact on the overall students’ learning.

Business Visit 1- ChinaSense: This is a service-oriented business whose mission is to plan and host study trips for foreign executives and business education institutions. The presentation focused on what, why, and how of the changes that took place in the Chinese dynasty and its influence on the business paradigm of China over the years.

Business Visit 2- Pactera: Pactera is a global company offering consulting, digital, technology and operations services to the world’s leading enterprises. The basic presentation was the general evolution of the company and its evolving gradual global presence.

 

 

After the visit to businesses in Beijing, the next three visits included three companies in Shanghai -- Baowu Steel, US Commerce office, and 3M China Research center. Students traveled from Beijing to Shanghai via the Bullet Train.

Business Visit 5- Baowu Steel, China: The visit five to Baowu Steel was a unique experience that gave students an opportunity to witness a live operation of how the steel is rolled out in a typical steel plant. A key takeaway from this visit was the understanding of a large industry that is state-controlled and trying to compete in the global market and at the same time keeping up with the clean environment.

Business Visit 6- U.S. Commerce Office: The sixth visit was a meeting with the US Commerce Office personnel. The presentation mainly focused on how their office helps the U.S. businesses to partner with the businesses outside U.S.A. in the global market.
Business Visit 7- 3M China Research Center: The visit started with the presentations of 3M products displayed in their showcase by one of the 3M company employees. The key takeaway of the presentation was the awareness of wide variety of products 3M offers.

Cultural Site Visits: In addition to the visit to the businesses, visits to various cultural sites were planned. The key highlights of the visit included the tours of The Great Wall of China, Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City, visit to local markets and mall both in Beijing and Shanghai, Yu Garden and Bazar, Zhujiajiao Water Town, Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Tower, and Huangpu River cruise. The key takeaways of visits to cultural sites was learning about the detailed history of the Chinese culture, people, the evolution of dynasty and its influence on Chinese people in general, and so on.

Summary: Overseas visits provide students a unique opportunity and experience that cannot be simulated in a traditional online or face-to-face class setting. It is a strategy that emphasizes “engaging” students in learning process in an “innovative” way that leads to an effective impact on students’ “learning”.

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The Global Immersion Experience is an essential component of the Jesse H. Jones School of Business/Online Executive MBA (EMBA) experience. Each year, the School organizes two international business trips to destinations in the spring and fall semesters for two separate EMBA cohorts. During the last nine years, students traveled to the People Republic of China. The trip usually includes corporate and cultural tours and meetings, sightseeing, visits with expert panels, and free time for the students. The students are afforded exposure to international business and cultural awareness, and more importantly, the opportunity to learn about international trade and commerce.

The international business trip is usually offered through a third-party vendor specializing in providing international business trips for executive MBA students. During May 2019, a group of sixteen (16) online executive MBA students and faculty traveled to Japan for the Global Immersion Experience trip. The students met with representatives from companies such as Nissan Motors Corporation, Toyota, and Plastic Chemical recycling plant. Highlights of the trip included a visit to the Yokohama National University (YNU) campus to the Faculty of Economics where Dr. Alexander McAulay delivered a lecture on the history of Yokohama as Japan’s gateway to the west and other YNU academic programs. During the second session, the group also learned about Japanese Law and Business from professors Ichiro Araki and Mashaisa Suzuki.

During the trip, students visited many places in Yokohama, Nagoya, and Tokyo and met with the United States commercial Attaché Mr. Dave Averne, who served in China for ten years before coming to Japan a few years ago. He discussed the volume of trade between the United States and Japan, potential opportunities in IT, and nuclear power plants protections against earthquakes and seismic activities. He provided insight on differences between Chinese and Japanese cultures, work habits, and opportunities. Ms. Taylor Thierry, an EMBA student, mentioned, “Being on the ground in a foreign country studying their economy and direct observation really brings to life what we learned in the classroom and in our readings. For me, it was a terrific opportunity for bonding with my fellow cohorts and sharing travel experiences." The students learned that traveling by trains was the most convenient and fastest method of transportation within Japan. Dr. Johnnie Williams joined the group of students on a high-speed train from Nagoya to Tokyo while Mr. Haider traveled with eight students on the bus. All Japanese cities offer a local subway system, and these subways are connected with Japan Rail or JR stations.

The group visited the Nissan Car Manufacturing Plant and witnessed the engine manufacturing process while walking through the assembly line. The group also visited the Toyota Motomachi plant in Toyota City and learned about the Toyota manufacturing process as they visited the plant assembly line. Upon entrance, the group was greeted by a giant sign in the assembly area “Good Thinking, Good Products.” The students later learned about “lean” manufacturing or Toyota Production System (TPS), which has helped the Toyota Corporation, become the largest car manufacturer in the world. The host later told the group the students that good products come from good thinking. The group also learned about five main principles of legendary Kiichiro Toyoda, the founder of Toyota Motor Co., Ltd.

Visit by Texas Southern University to YNU