Think an online business degree means missing out on global experiences? Think again. Students in Cal State Fullerton’s Online B.A. in Business Administration degree-completion program are proving that flexibility doesn’t mean limited opportunity. This summer, two online business students, Sydni Stovall ’25 and Griselda Sapiens ’25, joined their fellow Business Titans on a study abroad trip to China. From the city of Shanghai to Hangzhou, these online business students brought their virtual learning to life in a real-world setting.

The students participated in lectures from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) professors, took part in company tours of such firms as Wahaha and the Lingang Free Trade Zone that are vital to the Chinese economy, and even met with SUFE students. This immersive experience helped to enhance the business education of the students in a way the typical classroom cannot.

“[This experience] helps you understand what business looks like outside of a textbook or PowerPoints,” Stovall said. “You’re not just hearing about global markets or strategy; you’re seeing it unfold in real time, meeting people who live it every day, and realizing how different life and business can be depending on where you are in the world.”

Sapiens added, “Connecting with local professionals, visiting global financial hubs, and participating in rich classroom discussions with CSUF faculty and peers made this experience both intellectually and personally transformative. I left the trip feeling more globally aware and professionally energized.”

In addition to business education, students also partook in cultural opportunities. They visited the Bund and Nanjing Road in Shanghai, saw a silk museum in Hangzhou, and even enjoyed a calligraphy workshop. This helped students fully immerse themselves in the cultures of China and broaden their perspective on the world.

“You come back more adaptable, more confident, and with a clearer sense of how to approach unfamiliar situations,” Stovall said of the trip. “I personally learned a lot about myself from this trip, and I returned feeling more grounded. If you’re looking to grow both personally and professionally, study abroad is one of the most valuable experiences you can have at CSUF.”

Studying abroad can be invaluable to students. Stovall wants to work for the U.S. Embassy in The Netherlands, and by studying abroad she saw what it would be like to adapt to working in other countries.

“Studying abroad in China gave me a glimpse of what it means to step into another country’s rhythm and see how things function from their perspective,” Stovall explained. “It helped me become more comfortable navigating unfamiliar systems, communicating across cultures, and adapting to situations I can’t control.”

Sapiens also found a lot of personal value in the experience. “As a nontraditional student who has already worked full-time, I wasn’t sure it was possible. But I was proud to be one of the first students from the [Online Business program] to join,” Sapiens said. “In high school, I dreamed of studying abroad, so to live that dream while becoming a first-generation graduate from CSUF was incredibly meaningful.”

Jenny Zhang, Associate Dean for the College of Business and Economics and the Director for the Online Professional Business Program, developed and co-led the program together with SUFE. “Study abroad has a deep impact on students,” explains Zhang. “First, the program brought global business to the students’ experience through real world exposure as they learned how business functions in a different country. Students gained cultural competence through interacting with local people and students. The program provided them with a broadened worldview as they immersed themselves in a different culture, customs and ways of thinking which will foster open-mindedness and appreciation for diversity. This should translate to a deeper understanding of one’s strength, weaknesses, values and beliefs.” 

The Online B.A. in Business Administration degree-completion program at CSUF is designed to help business professionals reach a higher level of expertise to advance their careers. As a result, students have ample opportunity to see business executed globally. This trip to China is just one example of these immersive extracurricular experiences.

For more information, visit the Online B.A. in Business Administration website, or read more of our Online Business program articles.