China business study trip 2012

June 9-23, 2012

During the summer of 2012 the third Bluffton China Business Study Trip will be offered. At this point 11 people have indicated a serious interest in participating. The group looks like a mix of current graduate students, program graduates and friends of the university.

The objective of this experience is to learn about China’s business environment, culture and economy. Our trip will take us to Beijing, the political and cultural center of China; and to Chengdu, Nanchong, and Chongqing, major players in China’s manufacturing sector.

We will also visit Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, in the Pearl River Delta Region. We will tour manufacturing facilities, visit businesses, retail establishments and examine Chinese transportation and environments.

Along the way we will visit with local business people and discuss their experience with human resources, finance, production and legal issues. We will be exposed to China’s culture and, among other things, will visit the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, the site of the 2008 Olympics, museums and cultural shows. Of course, we will enjoy the tastes, sights and sounds that modern Chinese cities offer.

While the final itinerary for 2012 is not yet finalized, here was the itinerary for the 2010 experience.

June 12-13 Travel to China
June 14-17

Beijing
Itinerary: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Olympics Sites, Temple of Heaven,
Great Wall
Business/Factory visits, cultural events and lectures

June 18-22 Sichuan Province and Chongquig
Itinerary: Panda reserve, Deng Xiaoping Museum, rural areas
Business/factory visits, cultural events and lectures
June 23-26 Pearl River Delta Area (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong)
Itinerary: Hong Kong Peak, islands, Stanley Market
Business/factory visits, cultural events and lectures
June 27 Travel to North America
 
The 2012 trip will be led by Dr. Karen Klassen Harder, professor of business and economics, and Mennonite Partners in China director Meryl Byler and other MPC staff.

Lodging will be in three to five star hotels, guesthouses and a hostel. All will be modern with clean and comfortable facilities.

Costs for the 15-day study experience in China will be $2,750 (not including international airfare.) Cost includes all transportation in China, lodging, meals, entrance fees, events and lectures. Additional personal expenses include visa, passport, additional medical coverage, drinks and snacks outside of meal times, and souvenirs/gifts.
 
International transportation: Participants are expected to purchase their own international tickets and make their own arrangements, with help available from Karen Klassen Harder and the tour organizers. This approach will allow participants to select U.S. departure cities and schedule, use frequent flier miles and purchase tickets using credit card points, etc.
International transportation:
 
Lodging will be in three to five star hotels, guesthouses and a hostel. All will be modern with clean and comfortable facilities.
 
MBA program academic credit: The June 2012 Bluffton China Business Study Experience may be taken for one or two hours of academic credit. This academic credit may be used as an alternative to the equivalent credits in the program’s short courses. The cost of academic credit is an addition to the travel costs.  
 
Reserve your place on the trip
Reservation checks of $200 are due March 1, 2012, and should be sent to:
 
China Business Study Trip
Office of Adult and Graduate Education
Bluffton University
1 University Drive
Bluffton Ohio 45817
 
Contact person:  Dr. Karen Klassen Harder, 419 358 3505 or harderk@bluffton.edu