Mike Evanchik (seated, fourth from right), professor and associate chair, MBA and Executive Programs, and Rosemary Hartigan (seated, third from right), associate professor and program director, pose with faculty and staff members of Hong Kong Polytechnic Institute, in Hong Kong.

We were given permission to include the journal writings of Albert Li, a UMUC student, during his recent class visit to Asia. Travel with us here on what is sure to be as real as a "virtual visit" can be.

Executive MBA Students Visit Hong Kong, Establish New Tradition

By Andrea Martino

It was no typical visit home for Albert Li, 50, though he was born in Hong Kong. Having lived in the United States since age 17, he has spent more time here than in China—and he, like 23 other UMUC students, was in for a culture shock.

I realized today how much I have been "Americanized." Although I see myself as a Chinese American, I have totally adopted the American philosophy and way of life. I am a naturalized U.S. citizen and the CEO of a U.S. corporation. But September 11 reawakened my Chinese upbringing— to be humble, to treasure friends and family, to strive for long-term value rather than short-term gain. . . .

Notice the verbiage: long-term value, short-term gain. That focus is not surprising for a member of UMUC's Executive MBA (EMBA) program. The group visited Hong Kong and Beijing, China, September 13–23, 2002, with professors Mike Evanchik and Rosemary Hartigan, for the first of what will be the program's annual class trip to Asia.

According to Mary Ann Spilman, director of the EMBA program who set the itinerary but was unable to accompany the group this year, the trip included visits with representatives from Hong Kong Polytechnic and Remin universities; business leaders from China, Great Britain, and the United States; and civic leaders.

"Hearing about Mike's and Rosemary's experiences, and reading the students' journals, I have a good feel for what worked very well, what was so-so, and what might be added [in the future]. For example, I hope to arrange a visit to a manufacturing facility next year. I also see that the trip accomplished what was intended—firsthand experience with the business community; an awareness of the economic, political, cultural, and social diversity within China; and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist in China with its entry in the World Trade Organization."

Because of his Chinese heritage and experience as president and CEO of PHASE-1 Molecular Toxicology, Inc., in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Li may have been more intuitive than other students about cultural changes in China that would affect him professionally—and personally—now.

I felt extremely proud that China is the leader in textile manufacturing and the world's manufacturing center for television sets. I am concerned, though, that if China depends on cheap labor to be competitive, eventually there will be a cap on the salary level of Chinese workers before they reach a world standard.

The UMUC students are members of the University's third cohort of EMBA students—with cohorts beginning in fall and spring—and the first to travel to Asia. Classes that start in the fall have traveled to Europe each spring, a tradition begun in 1997 by the International Management (IMAN) program.

The foray into Asia is an outgrowth of the University's burgeoning international partnerships in that region. Last summer, for example, Jim Chen, a professor in UMUC's Graduate School, was a guest lecturer at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, where UMUC is developing a marketing partnership for the online MBA program for interested students in that region. Partnerships with other international universities are also in development.

"The simple experience of speaking with businesspeople from other countries—and sometimes needing a translator—is invaluable," said Evanchik. "It sounds trivial, but the experience is somewhat difficult to describe unless you've 'been there.' It's like something inside you changes and you're filled with an immense sense of pride and respect."

As any UMUC professor will agree, each visit with the University's "learning communities" of students and faculty—in this case overseas—is a learning experience for faculty, too.

"It was interesting to note that China has very localized distribution systems," said Evanchik. "These make internal marketing very difficult, and it's obvious that the country is just becoming industrialized now. Though China's entry into the World Trade Organization has lowered tariffs on imports, entrance into the Chinese market in one region doesn't guarantee access to the entire country, and American companies have to realize this before considering such ventures."

According to Evanchik, even the EMBA students' brief 10-day visit revealed to them the interrelationship of modern business with centuries of history and politics.

"These still affect the way of doing business in the 21st century," he said. "For example, [the Communist regime] in Russia allowed an economic system, but one with no concept of marketing. Communism in China, on the other hand, was so disenfranchised from developments worldwide that everything is new now. Of course, with British influence for 155 years in Hong Kong, you find pure capitalism there, offering the most startling comparison for China today."

Though again under Chinese rule, Hong Kong remains the country's business leader with mainland China still bogged down by bureaucratic hurdles. But the students learned from Li's brother, a lawyer for the Hong Kong government, that times have changed there, too. The city's real estate prices—known worldwide for being sky high—dropped dramatically due to the government's introduction of subsidized housing for lower-income Chinese there and a mass sale of land to developers. Because these actions coincided with the Asian crisis, then a world recession, even that successful market resulted in a major loss for Chinese with real estate holdings.

The arrogance of quick wealth that was characteristic of Hong Kong is now gone. That may be better for the long run—it forces the society to develop the economy based on value rather than hype. . . .

Beijing is growing rapidly. Its development lags behind Hong Kong but is rapidly catching up. . . . In Beijing, we heard the ambitious Chinese mention the word "learn" a lot. And they are doing it with full government support and financial backing.