International Business Seminars

If you're looking to understand the business realm and want to take a look at what businesses are doing outside of the United States, IBS offers you the opportunity to do just that. Having participated in the SE Asia Winter program, I was provided the opportunity to meet with executives and gain some of their knowledge towards what may be needed to not only rise to the position they may be in, but also gain an understanding of how businesses differ throughout the world. During the seminar we were able to travel around two different countries, not far from one another, and compare the work environment of the people in leading business firms as well as the small family businesses on the city streets. There are large differences between how we see business here in the US and business in Thailand and Vietnam but the fact that we use products made in those areas goes to show that maybe we aren't really that distant from one other. From the shops at the Venice Beach Boardwalk in California to the Damnoen Saduak floating market in Thailand, business is conducted everywhere and in every way and thanks to IBS you can live through it to understand it all the more.

Throughout this entire trip I did nothing but embrace the culture and the information I learned from the six companies I visited while abroad. Each company expounded upon each other, while also providing insight on their own inner workings and operations. Getting to speak with executive and directors of the companies was more engaging and insightful than I had imagined. The allowance for open ended questions gave the opportunity to ask anything I wanted to as a student, and to learn about a topic I was interested in about the company. Never was there a boring presentation in which the group was talked at. It was always thought provoking. Every day and night after company visits and planned tours, I got to visit different food markets, local areas with live music, ride tuk tuks, and enjoy the new culture enveloping me at every step. I experienced what it was like to walk across the street with incoming traffic and try food off a cart in a local market. I floated down rivers in Thailand and Vietnam and drank coconut milk and ate local fruit.From the buzz of the busy city streets to the calm rural areas housing an elephant sanctuary I got more out of this experience than I could imagine. Each moment was one of learning and it was beyond anything that a picture or a google search could capture or explain. I was in awe and shock throughout the entire trip, but I embraced it and soaked in every detail as much as possible.

IBS Summer in China was an amazing trip and I"m really happy I did it. They got us in to talk with great companies who were very informative on living in China and doing business there. IBS did a great job at making sure we got to experience the cultural and see/learn some amazing things. This program is worth going on!