NEWSLETTER - EDUCATION

Asia Connect Program - Travel to China

by Jim Foley, Director of International Trade Center & NAFTA Opportunity Center

International Business seniors Kaley Keeley and Charlie Truong traveled to China during the March spring break to conduct market research for their consulting project client Blackhawk Environmental Inc. in Glen Ellyn, IL. Blackhawk manufactures pumps for environmental applications. Though visits to oil refineries and landfills, at first, seemed boring, in fact, Charlie and Kaley were excited to finally speak with Chinese experts about the potential application for their client's products.

"I was very fortunate to be one of the students to be given the opportunity to visit China through the Asia Connect Program," remarks Charlie. "My trip was fantastic. It gave me a learning experience that a classroom or a text book could not provide. Although the cultural aspect of China was enlightening, performing this research was the most valuable learning experience. I learned about the dynamics of establishing a relationship with a foreign partner, Chinese business norms and mores, and perhaps the most important thing is, I have much more to learn." The student's travel coincided with both the start of military action in Iraq and the outbreak of SARS, which made for a memorable first visit to China for the students.

During the upcoming academic year, Asia Connect activities will include fall and spring on-campus lectures for faculty and business, travel to China by both the 2004 Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) class and the undergraduate class IB204 "Business in Chinese Culture", and two more students will conduct research in China as part of their senior consulting project. The Asia Connect Program is primarily funded through a Title VIB grant from the U.S. Department of Education.