ASIA: Hello from Beijing!

After being here for a week and a half, we have adjusted to many of the differences (e.g., unfamiliar animal parts, scarce water, smog) that we encountered. The quality has varied, but our class sessions at Guanghua have been terrific (e.g., sharp professors, well-organized course, great facilities). It has been a rich learning experience for all of us. It's impossible to convey the full breadth of our experiences, but here are a few interesting observations:

(1) Change--Throughout this year, we have stressed to our students the importance of change and its role in our program design. Managers must observe, interpret and adapt to ongoing change. And WOW, we are getting a heavy dose of how rapid change has (and will) occurred in China. Business lessons learned one year don't necessarily hold for the next year. The Guanghua professors have provided formal analyses on the social and economic changes, but.even more interesting have been the anecdotes offered. For example, yesterday's guest speaker described how his auto supply company has grown rapidly in just a few year, though he had no prior experience in the industry. Also, our accounting professor revealed a personal story on how he has become a university professor after growing up in the countryside and able to eat meat only once a year (for the Chinese New Year).

(2) Construction--The number of active construction projects is remarkable! There are many cranes and other heavy equipment visible on seemingly every block. Yet in spite of the equipment, there are many laborers hard at work during tasks that Western companies use equipment to complete. There are temporary quarters on some of the jobsites apparently housing workers (presumably from the countryside) on the property. Moreover, the jobsites seem to be active throughout the night--perhaps not surprising in a country experiencing such rapid change.

(3) Negotiation--All of us have had fun adjusting to the norm of bargaining with merchants. We've been challenged with quickly assessing the quality of the product, making a mental calculation of the exchange rate and being careful to be respectful to our hosts. I apparently went too far in my zeal for a good deal in one episode. After a couple of rounds, the young lady told me (in broken, but clear enough English) that the product was handmade (it sure didn't look like it), that my price was "impossible", that I was "stupid" and that I should "get out of [her] store." I followed her suggestion.

(4) Celebrity--I have never been photographed so many times--sometimes with and sometimes without permission. It has happened so many times that it is no longer surprising. In fact, I'm now a little disappointed when strangers don't ask me. It's a long story, but I'm no doubt in many coffee table photo albums across China. (Photo: Professor Ira Harris far right)

In sum, we are having an enriching time. Our students are doing a great job in the classroom, and enthusiastically exploring the city.

-- Ira Harris, Program Director of the M.S. in Commerce

(photos courtesy of Katherine Michalik)