August 2013 « Reflections of a Walton MBA Grad

The Walton College’s Business in India Study Abroad Program has been offered for five years and counting to students in the full-time MBA program. It is a three week visit to India that includes visits to businesses in India, interaction with people from all over the country, two safaris, and most importantly, a deep educational immersion into one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

On one of the safaris

The Business in India Program is led by the Director of the MBA program, Dr. Vikas Anand, and Dr. Alan Ellstrand, the Charles C. Fichtner Chair in Management and Chair of the Management Department at the Walton College of Business. Both Drs. Ellstrand and Anand are seasoned hands at travelling to India which you quickly realize through their five required day-long classes you take in the Spring semester to learn about India. In the classes, the students learn about the history, culture, people, politics, and etiquette related to India. These classes were invaluable when we finally arrived in India and we were well equipped with the knowledge required get the most out of our visit.

The Business in India program begins in Delhi and ends in Bangalore. In Delhi, we visited with MBA students from the Walton College’s partner Business School, the Fortune Institute of International Business (FIIB), and carried out projects that involved conducting market research with Indian consumers. In addition, we broke into teams with the FIIB students and carried out a version of “Amazing Race” that involved travelling around Delhi on rickshaw, subway, and train. This was a highlight of the trip as it allowed us to forge bonds with the FIIB students and further learn the importance of team work and communication in a global setting.

Between Delhi and Bangalore, we visited the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Corbett National Park and the Himalayas. As expected, the Taj Mahal did not disappoint. It is truly a world treasure one must visit in person to appreciate. Another highlight included hiking in the Himalayas, where we visited a temple and received a lecture that included important life lessons from a Sadhu (mendicant) at several thousand feet above sea level.

Visiting the Taj Mahal

Group Photo at the Himalayas

During our final week we travelled to Bangalore. Our group visited several businesses including Tyson, Toyota, Wipro, A.C. Nielsen, and a call center. Each provided our group with strong insight into how large corporations operate in India’s business environment. In addition, our group spent a day at the Sumangli Ashram, an important charity that provides an education and home to young Indian girls and women who come from broken homes. This day was a program highlight because it allowed our group to not only visit India, but give back in an important way to children in need of many basic necessities. From visiting the Ashram to sitting in on calls from the United States at a call center and from seeing a tiger from less than 50 yards to receiving a first rate education on India’s economy, Dr. Anand and Dr. Ellstrand provide a once in a lifetime experience for the Walton College students that participated and most importantly, a lasting connection to this beautiful and inspiring subcontinent.

Company visit to Tata.

At the Sumangli Ashram

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Thank you Alex for sharing your experiences in India! – Carmen

Alex St. Amour – MBA Class of 2014

What a summer! I had an amazing time in China. I previously shared my experiences from my first week in Suzhou. However, there is still more to tell. The best way to share my experiences is through photos. I spent a total of three weeks in China. After leaving Suzhou, I traveled to Hong Kong. Below are some of the sights I saw when riding on the double-decker bus from the airport to the hotel.

Another double-decker traveling ahead of us

Beautiful bridge

About to go through the tunnel

Nice tunnel shot

Hong Kong

Residential buildings

Game time!

The scenery as we got closer to our hotel

During our first night in Hong Kong, we decided to go somewhere to eat that was familiar. You can’t go wrong with McDonald’s, right? I was able to get my regular fish fillet sandwich with fries. However, the Hong Kong menu did differ some from the U.S.

In Hong Kong, the currency is Hong Kong dollars. A meal that costs 30 Hong Kong dollars is a little over 4 US dollars. Not a bad deal!

The items on the far left are very similar to what is offered in the US.

Same name – Different target market – Understanding your audience is important

While in Hong Kong, we had a day dedicated to business visits and one dedicated to exploring the sites. We visited Goodmark-Asia Limited (http://www.goodmark-asia.com/) and Li & Fung Limited (http://www.lifung.com/eng/company/). I truly enjoyed learning more about each business and how each company was able to operate successfully in Asia.

The front desk at Goodmark Asia Ltd.

Group picture at Goodmark Asia Ltd.

Group picture at Li & Fung Ltd. I absolutely loved this company and their facilities.

My favorite sightseeing excursion was Victoria’s Peak. The view was breathtaking. We took as much time as we could to take it all in before the rain decided to make an appearance.

Hong Kong and Shenzhen 087