Students in the course Business and Cultural Experience in Vietnam and Thailand took a memorable, enriching journey through Southeast Asia in May.

Marketing Instructor Courtney Pham led the group of six MBA and two undergraduate students on this 14-day, three-credit-hour course.  “Enriching their lives with study-abroad experience is an opportunity to let employers know that they can be acculturated, and not afraid to work with people with different backgrounds. It’s important because our business boundaries are becoming more seamless with the Internet and outsourcing,” states Pham.

Students had many opportunities to tour companies and interact with business leaders. Some of the facilities they toured include a candy factory in Vinh Long Keo Dua, in the Mekong Delta, and Saigon Tech and Anh Khoa Co. in the manufacturing district of Ho Chi Minh City. “We talked to the local business owners about the business processes and distribution systems. I was amazed to see the advanced marketing communication methods used,” mentions student Todd Whitmer.

Cultural immersion was also a large part of this course.  Students visited the Grand Palace and the Golden Buddha Temple in Bangkok, the Saiyok Elephant Park and Tiger Temple. They received a proper culinary introduction to the region through a Thai cooking class and enjoyed a meal in the home of a family in Vietnam. The group also visited the American Center, in Ho Chi Minh City, which is operated by the U.S. State Department. It serves as a resource center for information ranging from politics and U.S. culture to college prep information for prospective students who want to study in the U.S. Another trip took them to the U.S. Consulate General, in Ho Chi Minh City, for a briefing by Foreign Service officers. Discussions ranged from the sensitive issues between China and Vietnam over the Paracel Islands to freedom of expression and economic conditions.

To earn their three credit hours, students also had several pre-trip meetings to explore global issues in specific industries and emerging markets. Students kept a daily reflection journal while there and wrote a paper about their observations and development after returning to the U.S.

“I have honestly had the best time of my life and I am so thankful for this opportunity. I have made so many amazing friends that now feel like family,” states student Morgan Longland.

For more information on COB international study away opportunities visit http://ibp.missouristate.edu/ or http://international.missouristate.edu/studyaway/