Fifteen Business School students traveled to China in May 2012 to visit Shanghai, Suzhou and Beijing.  Program leaders were Meredith faculty Dr. Ying Liao and Dr. Becky Oatsvall.  While in China, students learned about Chinese business practices and the social, political, and economic influences on the business environment.  Students participated in onsite visits to Chinese businesses, met with Chinese students, and explored cultural sights such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City, the Bund and the silk market.

One of the highlights was a day-long field trip to the Great Wall, an awe-inspiring feat of ancient defensive architecture.  Corporate site visits to Lenovo and China Citic Bank provided insights on the similarities and differences between Chinese and U.S. business practices.  Students also experienced Chinese business dinner etiquette and rituals.

In Beijing, Business students visited Tian'anmen Square, explored the Forbidden City, and traveled to the Summer Palace.  They experienced the local customs as well as the history and culture of Beijing on a Hutong tour.  Hutong refers to the ancient streets or alleys containing residential areas surrounding the Forbidden City.

Business students took excursions to Zhujiajio, the water town and Suzhou, a center for China's silk industry.  They visited Tiger Hill, the old City Wall, Panmen Gate, and cruised on the Grand Canal.  They had an opportunity to meet with college students from Shanghai who shared their perspectives about life in China.

Program leaders Dr. Becky Oatsvall and Dr. Ying Liao with Business students in Beijing, Summer 2012		Field trip to the Great Wall
Corporate site visit to China Citic Bank		Corporate site visit to Lenovo
The Summer Palace, a veritable museum of classical Chinese garden architecture		In the Summer Palace with local student host
Students experienced Chinese business dinner etiquette		Drum performance on top of the Drum Tower
Shanghai		Corporate site visit to Hewlett Packard
Shanghai Auto Museum tour		A group of students with an electric vehicle in Electric Vehicle International Demonstration Zone
The test drive center of Electric Vehicle International Demonstration Zone		The Jade Buddha Temple
Students light incense within the Jade Buddha temple		Students visit the Yuyuan Garden
A group picture after the Grand Canal cruise.  The Grand Canal communicates the north and the south China in ancient times.		A stone bridge in Zhujiajiao connected by 36 delicate bridges in different shapes and styles
Business students with three local student hosts at Zhujiajiao Water Town		Busy shopping at the store in a silk factory
The material to make silk products		Dr. Liao and Dr. Oatsvall in front of the old Suzhou city wall

For more information about study abroad programs, contact the Office of International Programs at 760-2307.