Students gain global perspective through faculty-led trip to China

This summer, Central Michigan University business students and faculty traveled to China for a new faculty-led study abroad program organized in collaboration with Zhejiang University of Technology. The experience combined classroom learning, cultural exploration, and company visits, while deepening CMU’s international relationships.

The program represented more than 15 years of relationship-building between CMU faculty and international colleagues. “Our partners wanted to showcase their culture, their people, and their innovations,” said Sanjay Kumar, associate dean of the College of Business Administration. “It aligns directly with our strategic plan to expand study abroad and experiential learning opportunities for students. This trip wasn’t just about travel—it was about strengthening CMU’s international presence and giving students the kind of perspective that only comes from being there.”

Finance department faculty member Vigdis Boasson co-led the trip and described the value of seeing students interact across cultures. “It was interesting to watch our American students connect with the Chinese students,” Boasson said. “Even with some language barriers, they were able to share experiences and discuss problems together. That was a great part of the trip to see.”

The itinerary included lectures with Chinese students, calligraphy and language lessons, cultural shows, and visits to companies and institutions. “They visited multiple forward-looking companies and saw what modern Chinese idea centers look like,” Kumar said. “They also visited the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Students were surprised to learn that the trading is entirely electronic, there were no ‘traders’ and ‘trading floor.’”

Boasson added that the facilities impressed the group. “When the students visited one of the universities, they saw a logistics and supply chain lab run entirely by students, with a computer system and a working simulation that included a miniature conveyor belt and hub,” she said. “Our students were very impressed.”

Student reflections

For Max Anderson, an online MBA student from Traverse City, Mich., who graduated in July, the trip was an unexpected opportunity. “Going to China was not on my bingo card for 2025,” Anderson said. “I found out about it through professor Boasson in one of my classes. After an exam review call, she mentioned the potential for an opportunity to study abroad in China. I love to travel, so I was immediately interested, but I didn’t think it was feasible until she said we could look at getting some of the trip paid for through scholarships. And I said, ‘Now you’ve really got my attention.’”

Family considerations made the decision more complex. “I talked with my wife and kids —being gone for a couple of weeks is a lot to ask,” Anderson said. “But she reminded me this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and that I should go.”

Anderson said the experience reshaped his view of the world. “Overall, this trip made the world feel smaller,” he said. “You travel somewhere for fifteen hours on a plane and are struck by the enormity of our planet. But then you meet the people and see that we are more alike than we realize. There may be a different government and culture, but we are all human. It was a profound life lesson that what you read or think you know about other people, is not always true. The best way to build a better world and foster greater understanding is to spend time alongside others with different life experiences.”

Cultural differences also stood out. “We tried to tip our Chinese student guides using a traditional red envelope to thank them for keeping us safe and sharing their culture and perspective, and they would not take it,” Anderson said. “They just said, ‘That’s not how this works. While you’re here, you’re our guest. When we come to the United States, you can treat us the same.’ It was very kind. In our culture, we tip for everything, but theirs is different.”

Food and daily life offered their own surprises. “The food was absolutely delicious. It was not like American Chinese food,” Anderson said. “They put out things like duck tongue and silkworms. I tried them—I don’t know if I would eat them again—but it was unique. And from a cultural standpoint, everything was family style, with a rhyme and reason to who sat where. You could feel that sense of deeper community and family structure.”

Looking ahead

The College of Business sees the program as an important step in giving students global skills while strengthening CMU’s international relationships. “This directly aligns with our strategic plan,” Kumar said. “We want our students to get to know different parts of the world, because that is very important for businesses. Our students will enter a global workforce, and this kind of exposure prepares them for that.”

Boasson agreed. “China and India are very important to the United States and to our university,” she said. “Our students are the best ambassadors for CMU. When they share their experiences abroad, it builds understanding and encourages continued exchange and growth between our institutions.”

Anderson hopes more students will take advantage of opportunities like this. “My advice is: just go,” he said. “It will change your life for the better and give you a perspective you would not otherwise have.”