Lamar business students gain perspective from China trip

The students met with business leaders and visited culturally significant locations including the Great Wall and Victoria’s Peak.
The students met with business leaders and visited culturally significant locations including the Great Wall and Victoria’s Peak. | File photo

Last month, six Lamar University business students traveled to China to visit companies and gain international perspectives.

This trip was part of the global enrichment class that was taught by Kakoli Bandyopadhyay, department chair of information systems and analysis within the Lamar College of Business. The trip was supported by donations from alumni and other individuals. The students met with business leaders and visited culturally significant locations including the Great Wall and Victoria’s Peak.

“The trip changed a lot of our opinions,” fifth-year MBA student Jeremy Allen said. “You hear on the news and in the media what China is doing. When you go to China you see that they are just trying to help their people. They have taken jobs that many Americans wouldn’t want to do and their environment has diminished as a result.”

Bandyopadhyay said students in the class had preconceived opinions on the country, and that many in the business field have viewed China as a source of outsourced labor by American companies.

Companies that hosted student visits included Lenovo, Crocs, Hyundai and Invest Hong Kong. During the visit, the students also visited Chinese high school students who are set to study in the U.S.