Southeast Asia

Thailand Vietnam

FEATURED TRAVEL SEMINAR: SOUTHEAST ASIA

KARLEE CUDDY TRAVELED TO THAILAND AND VIETNAM FOR TWO WEEKS OVER WINTER BREAK TO LEARN ABOUT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PRACTICES IN BANGKOK AND HO CHI MINH CITY. AS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SEMINARS (IBS), HER STUDENT GROUP ALSO EXPERIENCED LOCAL CULTURE, STUDIED HISTORY AND POLITICS, AND SPENT TIME WITH EXECUTIVES AT COMPANIES LIKE IKEA THAILAND.

A Sit-Down Conversation with a CEO

Visiting with Luca Bernardinetti of Mahanakorn Partners Group (MPG) was an awe-inspiring experience. The CEO led a free-form conversation and started talking about cultural immersion and his transition to Bangkok. Karlee was able to ask direct questions about the company’s culture, its brand and how it operates from a human resources perspective— her career interest. makes a difference.

Take-Aways? Karlee’s Travel Highlights

• Elephants World in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, for abused elephants, where she cut down sugar cane to feed them, covered them in mud and scrubbed them in the river. • Vietnamese street food walking tour in Ho Chi Minh City. • Skyscraper city views from rooftop locations while enjoying local food. • Mekong Delta tour and tuk tuk ride to a remote homestay where she enjoyed a traditional Vietnamese meal and

• Cultural awareness and immersion are vital. • Investing in your employees the jungle quiet.

• Learn more languages to broaden your perspective. • Being humble makes a successful leader.

I experienced the heart of Vietnam when we took a boat ride along the Mekong River, one of the primary support systems of the Vietnamese economy. We watched local coconut caramel be made from start to finish, enjoyed local fruits and listened to traditional music.

KARLEE CUDDY, Senior Major: Business Administration-Management and Psychology

PHOTOS THIS PAGE > Clockwise from Top:

1. AMCHAM Thailand > a meeting with the Deputy Director; 2. Damnoen Floating Markets > vendors sell their goods from boats; 3. Lunch Time! > picking sugar cane to feed the elephants

PHOTOS OPPOSITE PAGE > Clockwise from Top:

1. Sumeru Mountain temple > visiting Ancient Siam, known as the Ancient City, in Samut Prakan, Thailand; 2. Mat-making > working with local women to learn their trade; 3. Elephant World > spending time with gentle giants