Shrinking world brings international business
J. Daniel Fernandez
Issue date: 5/15/09 Section: Lifestyles
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"Considering we are on the Pacific Rim and sitting on the third largest port in the world, there is no reason this school (Rio Hondo College) cannot be a premier business school," so said business major David Kennedy, 51.
Kennedy was part of a recent field trip to the Cosco (China Overseas Shipping Co.) terminal at the Port of Long Beach, which included several other international business on-line students and was headed by Dr. Julie Huang.
The field trip itself was designed to expose students to the huge number of imports and exports which makeup our current economy. Demand from emerging markets, especially in Asia, will continue to be strong for U.S. products due to the falling dollar and soaring exports said Huang.
Huang goes on to say that students don't really understand international business. "They think international business means working in other countries or for an international company, but they need to understand that only five percent or less of our students will be working overseas (international), 90 percent of our students who take international business class will be working in the global environment (domestic global workplace) and that leaves us the remaining five percent of students to be recruited to the international business program.
As Kennedy points out, "Nokia cell phones are designed in Sweden, the chips are made in Taiwan by a group of engineers in India, and assembled in Texas."
This is what Dr. Huang means when she says that we all work in international business. In one way or another, in today's world, we are all interconnected.
In fact, even Dr. Huang herself is international. Originally from Taiwan, she has been teaching business classes at Rio Hondo for 10 years and is currently on a mission to expand international business classes to eventually encompass a study abroad program.
Dr. Huang goes on to say that the study abroad program would not only include transferable units, but by working side by side with import/export experts in countries such as in the emerging countries of Argentina, Brazil, India, and China, it would provide incalculable hands-on experience.
She added that not only would these classes be great for dealing with international businesses people, but it would also help students in the work force, especially here in southern California.
"Los Angeles has so many immigrants. International business will help people understand cultural differences and thus, better understand future co-workers and work environment.
Although Rio Hondo doesn't currently offer a degree in international business, there is the opportunity to earn a certificate in international business while working towards a business degree. Courses include International business, International marketing, International business management, Import/Export and International banking/finance and more.
Students wishing to learn more about international business classes may contact Dr. Julie Huang at Jhuang@riohondo.edu or visit her office in B100.
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