From 27-31 August 2013, 20 GBS newcomers had a first taste of their university life through going on a student-led orientation trip to Tokyo, Japan. Having the opportunity to visit various institutions in a foreign country, not only did they get to experience a completely different culture, they were also given a glimpse of the international business environment.
Waseda University was the first stop of the trip and the university tour had definitely served as a warm welcome for the students. Besides having an opportunity to visit the beautiful campus, students also had the chance to interact with the commerce students of Waseda University and share their views on school life, career planning and social issues. Students gained a more thorough understanding of the Japanese culture and the reasons behind some of the unique business practices and policies in Japan.
DCH, a well-known Hong Kong-based trading company, has established a branch in Japan in its business expansion. The visit to the DCH office in Japan was a rewarding experience as students had learned more about the differences in Chinese and Japanese cultures as well as the corresponding impact on business operations. Students considered the sharing meaningful as it highlighted the importance of recognizing and respecting different cultures in the globalized business environment.
Burson Marsteller is a global public relations and communications firm which provides consultation services for organizations of different natures. Shuri Fukunaga, the host of the visit, was the managing director of the company and one of Japan’s 100 Women Most Respected in the World. She introduced the company’s background and business operations, and shared her insights on ways to enhance a company’s image. Students were impressed by the fact that Ms. Fukunaga leads a company in a society which is characterized by gender stereotyping.
The visit to HKETO marked the full stop of the trip. The speaker summarized the special characteristics and facts about the Japanese economy, and illustrated the trading relationship between Hong Kong and Japan. It had reinforced students’ understanding of Japan’s economy and the work of the Hong Kong government in facilitating trade cooperations between the two regions.
As the trip was student-oriented, all GLOBErs were actively engaged. The strong bond between these newcomers has made the fruitfulness of the trip self-evident..
