Global Business in an Emerging Market
2009 Exploration Seminar in India
Program Director: Cate Goethals & Hugh Judd ~ Business
Dates of Instruction: August 24 – September 22, 2009
“India will humble, awe, frustrate, amaze, and intimidate you - all on the same day.” ¹
India is now the world’s largest democracy. It will be a major player in world markets both as a consumer and as a producer in the years to come. Its domestic economy has been growing at 8% per annum until the recent global economic downturn (9.4% in 2006-2007). India is projected to be the most populated country, and the fastest growing economy, globally. It is clearly an emerging economic and political powerhouse.
With its large population of well-educated English speaking citizens, India has become synonymous with “outsourcing” and “off-shoring” which are creating phenomenal changes. At the same time India herself is growing internally with her own Industrial and Information Revolutions, the rise of her middle class, the growth in educated young people, privatization of her major businesses and her adoption of more liberal economic policies as the nation moves from a socialistic economy to a capitalistic economy.
India is also a country steeped in deep traditions and a unique combination of cultures including the combination of Hindu, Muslim and the English Colonial days that all influence the Indian business practices of today. It retains many of the cultural and social characteristics of a developing country.
Seminar Overview: This seminar is a unique opportunity to learn about both Indias - the thriving, sophisticated world leader, and the developing country - from the insider’s point of view.
We will be meeting with and touring 10 or more leading Indian businesses and meeting with these companies’ top leaders. We will also have the opportunity to network with several of India’s pioneers in business, socialize with students in India to better understand their culture and concerns and see many of India’s historically significant sites. In addition, we’ll meet a variety of smaller entrepreneurs and business leaders in the various communities we’ll visit. Last but certainly not least, we’ll have some fun along the way experiencing some of India’s exciting nightlife and “mingling” with the locals!
Come along and become acquainted with this country which will certainly be a part of your professional and personal future. This is your opportunity to earn 5 credits in Management, Business Administration or I&S in perhaps the most exciting and beneficial learning experience you’ll have at the UW.
We will be visiting 4 cities during our 18 day stay –India’s largest city and business center - Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) with its 18 million citizens, Bangalore, a technological center with many leading Information Technology and Pharmaceutical firms, Mysore with its historic palaces and buildings, and Goa, a more “rural” coastal city variously known as “Pearl of the Orient” and a “tourist paradise with its scenic beauty, splendid temples, churches, and old houses.
Our goals for the exploration study tour include:
- Acquire an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of global business generally and India specifically.
- Learn about global culture and business etiquette.
- Provide a rich cultural experience.
- Inspire intellectual curiosity about the challenges of other developing countries.
This exploration tour is particularly appropriate for business administration students in any concentration, engineering students, and pharmacy students. However, students from any discipline can participate. After a one week required classroom orientation in Seattle, students will spend 18 days in India and participate in a series of company visits
Upon their return to Seattle, each student will be expected to prepare an “Analysis of Key Learning and Principles” final paper that will be from 5 to 8 pages in length, properly cited, and turned into Hugh Judd by Friday, September 25 at noon.
Student costs:
¹ de Bruyn, Bain, Venkatraman, and Joshi: Frommer’s India, 3rd edition; Wiley Publishing Co., 2008. |
