College of Business Students Return From Beijing

Ten Texas A&M University-Commerce College of Business students recently received an opportunity to travel to Beijing, China, for a two-week cultural and educational exchange with the China University of Geosciences (CUGB). The trip included team projects, factory visits, Beijing cultural sites and special meals with various campus officials. Students made the journey accompanied by Dr. Chris Myers, associate professor of marketing, and Dr. Asli Ogunc, department head of economics and finance and associate professor of economics.

“I hope to keep the program running as long as possible,” said Yaolin Lei, professor and vice president of CUGB. “Students from both universities will benefit greatly from participating in this program.”

Students participating in the program were split into teams with four to five CUGB students to complete projects and gain a greater understanding of Chinese culture. In addition, both A&M-Commerce and CUGB students and faculty had the chance to visit major cultural sites around Beijing such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven.

“China was a terrific choice for the study abroad program,” said Phil Ravlin, a student in the A&M-Commerce online MBA program. “The food, people and cultural sites were all amazing. This exchange has been the highlight of my MBA program.”

The China University of Geosciences is regarded as a top university, specializing in geosciences and influencing the Chinese mining and oil industry and currently enrolls about 27,000 students. A&M-Commerce students interested in this program must take either an undergraduate or graduate course in the approved degree program in the College of Business.