Webster Geneva Study Trip to China

Students and alumni from Webster Geneva Campus conducted a Study Trip in October as part of a course called “Doing Business with China”, an experiential course in strategic management led by Professor Dominique Jolly (Chair of the WSBT). Participants devoted their break week of the Autumn semester to witness the most dynamic business hub driving the Chinese economy, Shanghai. The study trip included more than 15 engagements, ranging from site visits at companies and organizations (both Chinese and Western) to exploring the local culture and heritage.

Participants were welcomed by local hosts at each company visit, learning first-hand from business professionals working in a variety of sectors (ranging from banking to robotics manufacturing to FinTech start-ups). They also met with the Swiss government’s local representation for business relations at the Swiss Center, and conducted a visit to the Suzhou Industrial Park. Such engagements with industry managers and leaders provided a rich perspective on China’s economic rise of recent decades, bringing life to the course content, through case examples and personal testimonials. One common takeaway from the series of speakers was that China will continue to exert strong leadership on the world economy, and that the strategies of foreign businesses will largely be shaped by its expanding influence.

The Shanghai study trip is part of an annual course, yet the study trip is also open to alumni as a stand-alone experience. The next is planned for the Fall 2020 break.