Thailand, Globalization and Change
2008 Exploration Seminar in Thailand
**THIS PROGRAM IS FULL AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS**
Program Director: James Reinnoldt- School of Business, UW Bothell
Dates of Instruction: August 6 - 27, 2008
Seminar Overview: In response to an increasingly globalized world, developing economies like Thailand are striving to expand their trade and global integration. However, such pursuits are also creating some fascinating and complex challenges for economies, multi-national corporations, local businesses, ecologies and cultures within these developing countries and it behooves students from all global academic disciplines to understand them.
In a captivating, hands-on, 21-day study tour to The Kingdom of Thailand, students will have the opportunity to learn about key issues, opportunities and challenges that globalization presents to developing countries. Additionally, students will be able to assess and understand how businesses, NGOs and other organizations are developing and executing new strategies in order to effectively compete in a dynamic and increasingly globalized environment.
The Seminar Experience
Seattle: Laying the Groundwork
Prior to departing from Seattle, the seminar group will spend some classroom time studying the key trends, issues and actors of globalization, as well as work on developing the research tools necessary to make these assessments. During this time each student will also be assigned an organization and/or set of key issues to be researched for their final course project.
Thailand: Observation, Experience and Application
 Orientation and Team Building
Upon arrival in Bangkok, the group will be oriented to the climate, geography, people and culture of Thailand through a guided tour of the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, Temple of Dawn and other key attractions. The group will also take a boat trip on the Chao Phrya River to the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya. In order to build team spirit as well as become oriented to the geography and transportation systems of Bangkok, the group will also participate in a challenging and fun scavenger hunt.
Discussion and Research:
Following the orientation sessions, the group will spend time on a variety of activities that allows them to more thoroughly understand the many dimensions to globalization through the eyes of businesses and other organizations. These activities will include lectures from academics, presentations from local and international business people and participation in discussion groups.
 A key component of this aspect of the seminar will be a research project undertaken by each participant in order to further assess and understand some of globalization’s key issues and impacts. For example, some students might want to assess the impact of HIV/AIDS on businesses in Thailand, while other participants might want to study a topic such as the role of Corporate Social Responsibility in a global firm’s strategy. There will be considerable flexibility as participants can select from among a list of topics that suits their interests while meeting seminar objectives.
Observation and Integration
As a means to understand first-hand how businesses and other organizations are responding to the opportunities, challenges, and consequences of globalization, the group will then visit or hear presentations from organizations representing the different industries in Thailand’s urban and rural economy. These will include (*):
- A regional hotel and hospitality firm
- An international exhibition services firm
- A local low cost airline and air freight company
- A local jewelry exporter
- A rubber plantation and exporting organization
The group will also visit some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are helping to deal with the negative impact of globalization. These will include (*):
- A non-profit organization helping businesses cope with the challenges of HIV/AIDS
- An NGO spearheading rural community development
- An NGO working with disadvantaged women
(*) Note: The actual cities and organizations that the group will visit are subject to change. A Thailand Seminar Itinerary will be posted soon at
http://web.mac.com/jreinnoldt/UW_Explore_Seminar/2008_Programs.html
Cross-Cultural Understanding
Some key seminar activities will also focus on building cross-cultural communication and understanding. For instance:
- A brief home-stay with a Thai family on an island fishing village
- A presentation by Thai guest speakers on understanding Thai culture
- A visit to the Erawan Shrine for a Buddhist merit-making experience
 Student Free Time
Thailand has a rich history and culture and Bangkok has some world-class shopping and sightseeing. Students will have time and opportunity to take advantage of both through activities such as group dinners, a beach BBQ, and an opportunity to visit to the sprawling weekend markets of Bangkok. There will also be time to ride an elephant, go sea canoeing off the coast of Thailand’s Pangha Province or just hang out at the beach.
Seminar Goals
The academic and participant goals of this Exploration Seminar include:
- Develop a set of research tools and resources necessary for identifying and analyzing the key opportunities and challenges for businesses and other organizations in an increasingly globalized environment.
- Understand the key economic, political, legal, social and cultural institutions, forces and issues that are shaping the global business environment.
- Understand globalization’s impact on the people, societies, cultures and environments of developing countries like Thailand.
- Understand the negative side effects of globalization such as HIV/AIDS, political conflict, exploitation of labor, environmental degradation, urban migration and poverty.
- Understand the increasingly important role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in globalized business strategies.
- Understand how local businesses, MNCs and other organizations in Thailand are responding to the opportunities, challenges and impacts of globalization through global strategic planning and execution.
- Enjoy a rich cultural experience and develop a high degree of cross-cultural understanding and empathy.
- Develop and strengthen analytical and business communication skills in a global context.
- Stimulate curiosity about other cultures, economies and societies in an increasingly globalized world and the many challenges they face.
- Develop the skills and confidence needed to travel independently among various countries in the world.
Course Credit
Upon successful completion of the seminar, participants will earn five credits in their choice of the following two classes:
* CHID 474: Asia Study Abroad (UW Seattle - I&S)
* BIS 480: International Study Abroad (UW Bothell)
Participants should check with their advisors to determine how these credits will count towards these and other departmental requirements.
A separate document labeled Thailand Syllabus provides more information on seminar guidelines and expectations, coursework, assignments, grading policies and the like. This document can be downloaded from
http://web.mac.com/jreinnoldt/UW_Explore_Seminar/2008_Programs.html.
 About The Seminar Director
The Seminar Director, James Reinnoldt, currently teaches Global Business (Senior Capstone and MBA) and International Marketing at UWB and also teaches Executive Education courses at UW Seattle. He conducted a UW Exploration Seminar to Thailand and Cambodia in 2007 and the student photos from this seminar can be seen at http://uwexplore.smugmug.com/
He can be contacted at jreinn@u.washington.edu for any questions about this seminar.
Seminar Fees
$ 3,295 Program Fee
$200 IPE Concurrent Enrollment Fee
A separate document Thailand Fees and Expense Details provides more information on expenses that are covered in the Program Fee, airfares, and personal expense estimates. This document can also be downloaded from
http://web.mac.com/jreinnoldt/UW_Explore_Seminar/2008_Programs.html
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