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large group of people wearing red caps standing in front of a Japan Airlines plane
Shidler College of Business students receive a tour of the headquarters of Japan Airlines in Tokyo.

Students from the Asian Field Study Program at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Shidler College of Business recently returned from a successful three-week tour of Asia, which included stops in Tokyo, Kyoto, Beijing, Hanoi and Seoul. The primary goal of this program is to prepare students for careers and business opportunities in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region.

The faculty–led group of 20 undergraduate and graduate students visited global multinational companies such as Nissan, Japan Airlines, Nestle, NBA China and Kyland Technologies, as well as high-growth new ventures in China’s ride-share sector and Vietnam’s food service industry.

“As a business professional in Hawaiʻi, I returned from the trip with a clear understanding on how I need to modify my business to better meet the needs of our international tourists, while also catering to our local customers as well,” said MBA student Emily Bertino. “I now possess a deeper appreciation of culture and business practices in Japan, China, Vietnam and South Korea, and feel as though this trip was an essential and invaluable part of my MBA.”

According to Asian Field Study Program Director Ben Bystrom, “To develop Hawaiʻi into an Asia-Pacific hub for business and tourism, it is critical for our students to gain in-country experience with the language, cultural and business skills necessary to succeed. This program gets students out of the classroom to interact with and learn from leading corporate executives throughout the region.”

About the Asian Field Study Program

The UH Shidler College of Business’ Asian Field Study is one of the top global business field study programs focusing on Asia-Pacific. Students tour Asia and visit companies, government agencies and cultural sites. The program works to improve relations between countries in the region through increased education and communication.

Scholarships totaling more than $100,000 were provided by the Freeman Foundation, Ralph S. Inouye Co., Ltd., David T. Pietsch and the UH Shidler College of Business. Every student that participated in the Asian Field Studies Program receive some level of scholarship and/or fellowship.

View photos from the 2018 Asian Field Study Program.

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