Asian Field Study - Student Information

Overview

The 2024 University of Hawaii Asian Field Study (AFS) is designed for students interested in expanding their business careers into the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. It consists of preparatory classes and an onsite business tour to Asia.  We are currently considering Tokyo, Singapore, Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City as the cities to visit.  The final itinerary will depend on our ability to gain quality company visits. Graduate students will enroll in two 3-credit courses: 1) BUS 675, the AFS pre-trip preparation course which will be taught in-person at Shidler and 2) BUS 676, the Asia business tour travel portion of the program.  BBAs will enroll in BUS477 for 6-credits, please consult with your academic advisor.  Please note, for all students (graduate and undergraduate), the per credit tuition for the AFS program will be at Shidler's Executive MBA rate which is $1,050 per credit.  

The courses may count toward one or two of the following: International Business (IB) elective, IB major elective, entrepreneurship major elective, upper division elective, or management elective for BBA students, entrepreneurship certificate for graduate students, and PAMI international management certificate (consult with your academic advisor for applicability). 

For graduate students that would like to study Asian Business but not participate in the travel portion of the Asian Field Study, it is okay to just register for BUS675.  In this case, it is not necessary to complete the Online Application noted below.

Below is a summary of the planned program offering. Note, we are still early in the planning process, so dates, focus, and content are subject to change.

Online Application

  • To apply for the 2024 AFS please click on the link below:

            2024 Asia Field Study Application Form

  • Have your passport on hand when filling in the application.  If you don't have a valid passport, apply for one immediately.

Asian Field Study 2024 Business Travel Tour

  • Preliminary Schedule (dates are subject to change):
    • Depart Honolulu on June 28
    • Tokyo: June 29 to July 5
    • Singapore: July 6-8
    • Jakarta: July 9-12
    • Ho Chi Minh City: July 13-18
    • Day trip to Seoul: July 19 
    • Return to Honolulu on July 19. 
  • Visit approximately 20 companies in a wide variety of industries.
  • See cultural sites and hold executive mixers in each city. 
  • For graduate students, the tour is BUS676.
  • For undergraduates, the pre-trip course and business tour are combined in BUS477.
  • Each student will complete a research report on some aspect of the tour, more details will be provided when the course syllabus is distributed.

Tentative Class Schedule for Pre-trip Course 

All classes will be in-person at Shidler College and dates are subject to change.  For graduate students the pre-trip course is BUS675.  While the overall Asia-Pacific region will be covered, in 2024 emphasis will be given to Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, China and Indonesia.

SessionDateDayTopicPre-Reading Assignment
1May 21Tues
6 - 9 pm
1) Asian Corporate Analysis: An Equity Approach 
2) Case Study: Toyota Motor Corporation
Lecture Notes, case study and pre-lecture material/readings
2 & 3May 25Sat
9am - 4pm
1) Country Analysis Methods: Economy, trade policy, comparative advantage and sovereign risk
2) Japan Export Model, 3) Guest Speakers covering Economies and Industries throughout Asia
Lecture Notes, Case Study and Guest speaker pre-lecture material/readings
4May 28Tues
6 - 9 pm
1) Asian Foreign Exchange Markets and Risk Hedging and 2) Short student equity pitchesLecture Notes, Due: Individual Corporate Equity Analysis and Pitch
5June 4Tues
6 - 9 pm
1) New venture business opportunities in and with Asia, 2) In-class exercise identifying, analyzing and valuing Asian venture businessLecture Notes and Case Study
6June 11Tues
6 - 9 pm
1) Asian commercial real estate 
2) Case Study: Hotel valuation and financing
Lecture Notes and Case Study
7 & 8June 15Sat
9am - 4pm
1) Student Group Country Analysis Presentations, 2) Guest Speakers, 3) Pre-trip preparation and planningDue: Group Country Presentation PowerPoint and Summary Write-up, Guest speaker pre-lecture material/readings
9June 18Tues
6 - 9pm
1) Marketing in Asia, 2) Case Study: Kit Kat Japan and/or NBA ChinaRead Case Studies
 
10 & 11June 22Sat
9am - 4pm
1) Student presentations providing pre-trip Executive Summary on companies and institutions to be visited or Research Project. 2) Guest Speakers 3) Short QuizDue: Individual Write-up covering assigned site visit Industry/Company or Research Report

Cost

The estimated program registration fee $5,800, which includes airfare originating from Honolulu (Neighbor Island or other origin is extra); ground, lodging based on double occupancy and breakfast while onsite in Asia. Other meals and incidentals are excluded. Trip cost excludes tuition. Participating students must also register for courses (BUS675/676 or BUS477) and pay the applicable 6 credit hours.

Scholarships

Usually, 12-15 Scholarships covering between $1,000 to $5,000 are generously donated from the following sources. You will need to complete the applicable questions in the online application to be eligible for these scholarships.

  • Freeman Foundation Asian Fellowship Program
  • Ralph Inouye Endowment in honor of Professor KK Seo
  • Asian Field Study Association
  • Michael and Judy Pietsch Study Abroad Scholarship
  • Others to be announced

Program Objectives

The objective of the Asian Field Study program is to prepare students for business careers and the pursuit of venture opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region.  This is accomplished by studying key regional market trends, industries and corporations, improving language skills, learning management strategies and adapting to unique cultures and business practices.

The program exposes students to diverse and relevant Asian business environments, utilizing academic theory, financial analysis, case studies and business models as a framework for real-world experiences, consisting of site visits, Q&A sessions with business executives and direct in-country research. Diversity is emphasized by mixing economies at varying stages of development, as well as specific site visits from a variety of industries and firm types. Emphasis is given to industries with synergies to the Hawaii economy such as tourism, healthcare, real estate/construction, financial services, entertainment, transportation, and internet commerce.

Target Participants and Prerequisites

For the BUS676 and BUS477 travel portion of the program, the size of the group has been targeted at 15-22 students. The 2024 AFS is expected to be comprised of a mix of EMBA, MBA and BBA students with potentially a few non-business majors. Selection will be based on criteria contained in the application and meeting the following prerequisites:

  • Registered UH System-wide undergraduate and graduate students from any discipline.  Priority is given to Shidler EMBA, MBA and BBA students.
  • Overall: 3.0 GPA, Major: 3.0 GPA.
  • Medical clearance to travel abroad.
  • Successful completion of the preparatory pre-trip course at Shidler (BUS 675 or BUS477) in order to participate in the onsite Asian business tour.

Timeframes

  • Online Applications completed March 24, 2024
  • Acceptance Notification (April 2, 2024)
  • Initial Deposit Payment Due and Passports Collected (by April 13, 2024)