Comments on: ‘Yeah, Carr, This Trip Is Great And Everything, And I’m Looking Forward To It And I Am Glad Cal Poly Does This, But It Won’t Really Impact My Future That Much As I’m Not Going To Work International’

By: Chase Janvrin

Chase Janvrin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:33:39 +0000

Lindsay, I think you hit the nail on the head. And it ties directly into what Mr. Isdell (Coke CEO) said; if there is one thing he would stress it’s an appreciation and understanding for others points of view. Seeing, experiencing, and communicating with other cultures opens one’s eyes to much more that a different way to assemble products or simplify a supply-chain. Most graduate programs put a very high level of importance to not just work experience, but life experience. And because the average age of this MBA program is so young, this trip to India truly will be the trip of a lifetime for many of my classmates. What we will learn, what we are learning, is just as important as what we learn in the classroom. An open mindedness and ability to communicate with others that don’t share our background or point of view. I can’t think of a better way to shape tomorrow’s leaders than teach them the ability to listen, learn, and communicate effectively.

By: Danielle Steussy

Danielle Steussy — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:02:05 +0000

I was very much shocked when I read as far as the title to the blog. Have students actually complained about the trip? Have they actually not realized the value in visiting another country? One of my biggest motivations for attending this school was because of this trip. In fact, one of the main reasons that I decided to do Track 1 was because I was guaranteed a spot on the plane to and from India to learn about a different culture and its business environment. I honestly can’t see why any person would simply think of the India trip as just going through the motions to graduate a year early, particularly because of the financial impact of going. This is an excellent opportunity to visit prestigious companies abroad that we probably wouldn’t otherwise see on any personal trip to India. Ultimately it ties in so well with everything we have been learning in the program. How is this not the perfect ending to our graduate career at Cal Poly?

By: Kirk Story

Kirk Story — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:46:50 +0000

It’s undeniable these trips to India and China have lasting impact on participant’s lives. One of my good buddies is knee deep in the construction industry and swears solemnly that the best years of his life were his years abroad in college. Compounding cultural and personal introspection of foreign travel with academic application is a powerful tool for accelerating our sense in the world as global citizens.

By: Jay Ponto

Jay Ponto — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:02:50 +0000

I agree with Emily in that international travel has helped me grow extensively. It has given me maturity, helped me gain a better understanding of things I had previously only seen on television or read in books, and allowed me to participate in new experiences that have helped me grow as an individual.

I intend to go to India with an open mind to learn more about the culture, see what it’s like to live on the other side of the world, and, like Lindsay said, definitely enjoy some exotic food! Could this trip provide me with an experience with which I will build a future business that will involve India or where I could profit from an increased knowledge of Indian culture? Maybe. I’m not sure. As I type this though, a certain quotation by Mark Twain comes to mind: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

By: Lindsay Leaver

Lindsay Leaver — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:05:35 +0000

I have to be quite honest and say that my main excitement and focus of the India trip has very little to do with the business that we will be learning and engaging in. My main purpose, as is in all my travels, is to learn about a new place and experience a new culture. Food, music, landscape, people, greetings, religion, yoga, customs, and public transportation are the things that make me tic when I travel. And India is different from America in all the ways I listed above. I can’t wait to taste, hear, smell, and see the exotic cities that we will be traveling to.

I know the primary reason for the trip is to increase our understanding of global business, and I will focus on that and do what is required of me. But when it comes down to it, I am most excited to experience India’s culture… and the food. Definitely the food.

By: Emily Schaapveld

Emily Schaapveld — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:26:08 +0000

The best way to find common ground is to experience where someone else has come from. International travel has made me grow, professionally and personally. There are so many ignorant people in the U.S., that if they took the time to understand another culture, they would not be so quick to make assumptions. Everyone agrees that America is a giant melting pot of different cultures, so no matter what a person does, there will be point when familiarity with other cultures will be a huge benefit. If anything, from my own experience, it is at least a great conversation starter!

By: Alex Thornton

Alex Thornton — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:46:10 +0000

In the end, actually going to another country and experiencing it for oneself is the only way to alleviate one’s doubts. Even though I am confident that I will find valuable lessons to learn and bring back to apply in the United States.

The costs however, as Logan pointed out, cannot be forgotten. At some point, the dollar cost of the trip out weighs the value of the trip itself. A million dollars is obviously too high. The question is if five to six thousand is a good trade. Different people will place a different value on experience; each person has their own value system. That is not to say the trip is too expensive or the nonparticipant is ignorant. People must simply decide for themselves how much they are willing to pay for this experience.

By: Andrew Welborn

Andrew Welborn — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 06:11:06 +0000

I have to admit that at first I didn’t realize the full relevance of this trip to my future. I, like a few others, had never studied/traveled abroad and thought this would be a great opportunity to double dip while still in school. After going through this blog and digesting all the materials, I can’t understand how naïve my thinking was. I know the world is going global, but six months ago I never thought about working abroad or how this trip would help me if I stayed in the U.S. All that has changed and I can appreciate how relevant this course is for any industry in any country.

Being able to go outside your comfort zone and discover what you are truly made of while experiencing a different business world will be rewarding on both a personal and professional level. China and India are not going anywhere any time soon, and being able to experience them while they are still in their growth stages will help us have an intimate understanding of how to succeed in that business environment. I only hope that once I graduate I will be able to continue this type of learning and make full use of this experience for whoever I work for.

By: Logan J Travis

Logan J Travis — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:38:23 +0000

I find it strange that you have students that will go through the motions on the Chindia trip just to graduate in <1 year. Maybe it’s my economic condition, but I wouldn’t drop $5,400+ just to shave a few months off graduation (I also wouldn’t take anyone on the trip who would make the decision to do so).

I believe in the added value of a learning experience outside my home country. I say believe because I can’t foresee what specific insight or experience will warrant the cost even with numerous reasons listed. Instead, I know that I will find value on my own accord.

If I may make a comment as to the presentation of this opportunity thus far: It did test my belief. The initial meetings did little to draw my buy-in and a lot to scar my determination. I was especially dismayed at the use of legal “niceties” on the first page of our syllabus to emphasis the cost of non-compliance. I understand the desire to protect the school, students, and accompanying faculty and even the hope that students will accurately self-select for this course. However, it does generate a sense of oppressive authority and one that may have negatively affected the quoted student’s value assessment.

By: Ashley Breneman

Ashley Breneman — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 18:40:44 +0000

To be completely honest…I think I may have been in the category of thinking some of these thoughts. I plan on going into construction management and will admit that I did not see the connection at the beginning of the year and looked at this opportunity as a great way to see more of the world. BOY WAS I WRONG! If anything, these blogs just repeat to me over and over again how little I know.

As an engineering undergrad, we never talked about anything that had to do with business, especially in other countries. Looking back, I almost feel as if I was in a little bubble and didn’t even realize it. I never thought I would need to know anything about the world outside of United States because I would likely be working on a building or road in California.

This program has truly opened my eyes and the more I learn, the more I become interested in all these topics. I can’t believe how close-minded I was about all this, especially since I am planning on going into management. While everyone will likely be taking in all the business aspects of China and India, which I will too, I am also very exciting to see how different and innovative the structures are abroad.

Construction Management is all about getting the lowest costs for materials so you can bid the lowest amount and get the clients you want. I don’t think one week goes by in this program where the opportunity to cut costs isn’t brought up. More than anything else, I believe everything we have learned and everything we will learn in China and India will help us to make smart decisions in both our business and personal lives.