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Business Challenge for Youth (China)
Business Challenge for Youth China Tour
July 10-27, 2011
Aimed at marketing and business students interested in knowing what drives China's economy, its business practices and innovations and career opportunities, this program takes participants to Hong Kong and Guangzhou to engage in an 18-day experiential learning opportunity of a lifetime. The curriculum include,
- coaching sessions and exercises in team-building, leadership and creative problem-solving
- workshops on business related topics
- lessons in Business Mandarin and Chinese culture
- visits to some "Top 10" companies in China, factories, wholesale and retail markets
- talks with Chinese and Canadian senior executives as they share their experiences and plans for the future
- team project competitions involving local students from university students in Guangzhou
Leisure time for sightseeing, shopping, etc. also scheduled.
Program Fee:
- $2,180. Does not include airfare, some meals and China visa application.
- Get $300 off Program Fee if application and 1st payment of $500 is received by Monday, February 28, 2011.
- Final application deadline: Thursday, March 31, 2011.
International Studies Award
- Domestic Douglas College students can be eligible for this award of $500!
- Download an award application form.
- Award application deadline: 4pm, Friday, February 25, 2011.
Program Registration: Download form.
Business Challenge for Youth China Tour
- organized by Dr. Hilton Chan Research & Consultancy Inc. and South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, China
- for detailed program information, visit http://www.challengeforyouth.com.
- 2011 is the 2nd year in partnership with Douglas College
Attend an Information Session - Learn more about the program from the organizers:
Tues. Feb. 1, 2011
12:30-1:30pm 3:30-4:30pm
Room B2090 Room 1614
David Lam Campus New Westminster Campus
Hotel & Restaurant Management Diploma graduate Karly Bonneteau participated in the 2010 program and shares her reflection of the experience:
”I finally have a better understanding of Chinese culture and their etiquette. Before going to China I couldn’t understand why Chinese people never said sorry for bumping into you and why everyone says they are bad tippers, but being a part of their culture for 10 days really puts things into perspective. With 10 million people in one city you would never stop saying sorry if you said it to everyone who you walked into. The crowds and the heat were one of the most difficult things to deal with on the trip. As for the tipping when you hear how low their minimum wage is, especially in Guangzhou, they really don’t have the money to spare when they only make $1000 (RMB) a month.
It was incredible to see the vast difference between Hong Kong and China. Even though we only got to spend 2 days in Hong Kong it was easy to notice the differences in not only the culture but the life style. Hong Kong is very modernized where english is fairly common and seeing a white person isn’t so out of the ordinary. On the other hand, Guangzhou is much more on the poor side and is definitely in the early stages of development; english is not easily found, and if they do speak any they know very minimal. During one of our outings at the historical park Kristen and I were asked by an older couple to have our pictures taken with them, I guess being a white person is a tourist attraction in Guangzhou.
Not speaking mandarin was very difficult; the language barrier is hard to overcome since no words are similar so guessing is out of the question. However, we did get the chance to learn a few basic words and to sing a song, this was a lot of fun and it really makes me want to learn to speak mandarin. The business executives highly suggest we learn Putonghua mandarin since we all know that China is quickly emerging into the business world.
Some of the other great things we got to learn about on the trip include the traditional Chinese holidays, calligraphy, paper-cutting, Chinese food and China’s economic development. I think my favorite class besides learning mandarin was the calligraphy class where I was given a Chinese name and shown how to write it. Another great experience was the food; there were a lot of items that I ate that I had never tried before. I never eat pork so it was interesting to see how I adapted to eating it at every meal. I found it so crazy that almost every dish had pork, even the tofu!
I think that the most impressive part of the trip was how successful the program was. For a first time program we all expected there to be a ton of complications, but there were hardly any if any at all. The mentors were always there for us and took great care of the whole group. We definitely never went hungry and the activities were well planned. For the company visits I enjoyed how there was a great variety of businesses such as the furniture company, computer company, beer factory and the restaurants it was great that a so many aspects were covered. These tours showed the difference in working environments as well as their working standards, which are much lower than we are accustomed too.
This is a program that I would highly recommend anyone who has the opportunity to attend. We got the chance to see and do amazing things, we got to meet amazing people and we gained a whole new perspective on another culture. At Noahs Ark I conquered fears and learned that if I believe in myself anything is possible. These experiences are once in a life time and I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Thanks to the business challenge for youth 2010 I have life-long friends, cultural experience, international business perspective and a new stamp in my passport."
Questions? Please contact,
Karen Ng
Douglas International
Room 2800, New Westminster Campus
email: ngk@douglascollege.ca
tel.: 604-527-5844
