MBA and Undergraduate students gain firsthand global business experience in Vietnam and Thailand
June 25, 2026
This summer, 13 students and alumni from 海角社区鈥檚 College of Business participated in the Global Business Experience in Vietnam and Thailand, a two-week immersive study abroad program led by Dr. Angelica Bahl, marketing professor, and Dr. Ali Thobhani, Executive Director of the Office of International Studies, in partnership with the Global Engagement Institute (GEI). Students in the program included Bowen Johnson, Charlie Baumert, Danesha Huguley, Davonte Ford, Deni McMillian, Diego Arturo Garcia Reyes, Erick Rodriguez-Leyva, Leslie Ruiz-Vazquez, Lizbeth Rojo Garcia, Navalyn Waggoner, Victoria Ruesta, Yvette Tiffany, and MBA alumnus Ronald Archer. Throughout the program, students were supported by GEI guides Thuy Phan in Vietnam and Chone Mu in Thailand, whose local expertise and cultural insights enhanced the learning experience.
“A significant component of this international program for our students involved developing intercultural competence, specifically in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and Thailand. Other benefits of this study abroad program include students developing real business experience in a global setting, which is impossible to gain in the U.S. They achieved this by engaging in deep discussions with managers and students abroad, observing the production line, and learning about sustainable programs, projects, and policies.”
– Angelica Bahl, professor, Department of Marketing
In Vietnam, students explored both large-scale industry and local entrepreneurship, gaining firsthand insight into how businesses operate at different levels of the economy.
Visits to Nha Be Garment Corporation and Linh Phong Steel Company highlighted Vietnam鈥檚 growing role in global manufacturing and supply chains. At Nha Be Garment, students observed the production process behind apparel made for international brands and learned about quality control, sourcing, and workforce management in a highly competitive global industry.
In the Mekong Delta, students experienced a different side of business at the Cai Rang Floating Market, where vendors sell goods directly from boats along the river. The market offered a firsthand look at how traditional commerce continues to support local communities while adapting to changing economic conditions.
On Con Son Islet, students explored a community-based tourism model that combines agriculture, fishing, and cultural experiences. Through visits to local fish farms and small businesses, students saw how entrepreneurship and tourism create economic opportunities while preserving local traditions.
Together, these experiences demonstrated how Vietnam鈥檚 economy is shaped by both global industry and local enterprise.
In Thailand, students explored how global brands, entrepreneurship, and sustainability shape today鈥檚 business environment.
A highlight of the experience was a visit to ThaiNamthip Coca-Cola, where students learned how one of the world鈥檚 most recognizable brands manages bottling, distribution, marketing, and customer engagement in Thailand. The visit highlighted how global companies adapt their strategies to local markets through product innovation and an understanding of consumer preferences.
Students also visited Wishulada, a sustainability-focused entrepreneur known for transforming discarded materials into artwork and functional products. The experience showcased how creativity and environmental awareness can intersect with business to create meaningful social impact.
Cultural visits to landmarks such as Wat Pho and the Grand Palace provided additional context for Thailand鈥檚 history, culture, and role as a major destination for tourism and international investment.
“Experiencing the manufacturing ecosystem鈥檚 and corporate landscapes of Vietnam and Thailand provided firsthand an invaluable look into global supply chains and how people do business. My biggest takeaway was seeing how rapidly these emerging markets adapt to technological innovation, which completely changes how I view scalable product management.
No textbook can replicate the insight gained from sitting in on corporate site visits and academic symposia directly within emerging markets.”
– Charlie Baumert, MBA student in business analytics
The Global Business Experience gave students the opportunity to see business in action. Whether touring manufacturing facilities, exploring local markets, learning from business leaders, or experiencing different cultures, students gained a firsthand understanding of how business operates across the globe.
These experiences helped bring classroom concepts to life while encouraging students to view business from a broader, more global perspective.
A very special thank you to Dr. Angelica Bahl, and Dr. Ali Thobhani, the Global Engagement Institute (GEI), and tour guides Thuy Phan in Vietnam and Chone Mu in Thailand for their leadership, support, and dedication throughout the Global Business Experience program, and for their efforts in planning, coordinating, and guiding the trip. Their guidance throughout the trip and for helping students learn more about each country鈥檚 culture, history, and business environment created an invaluable and unforgettable learning experience for all students.
Experiences like the Global Business Experience demonstrate the value of learning beyond the classroom. By engaging directly with international businesses, cultures, and academic institutions, students gain not only knowledge but perspective.
In Vietnam and Thailand, global business was not just studied. It was experienced.
Support comes from 海角社区鈥檚 College of Business, offering flexible programs with real鈥憌orld projects and support. Committed to empowering graduates to lead, solve, and inspire.
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