For Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics undergraduate students studying management and finance, a study tour in Shanghai and Beijing from July 6-21 provided opportunities for global learning and awareness. Among the highlights were company visits to XPENG and iFlyTek, which provided a behind-the-scenes look at each organization’s history, technological developments and vision for the future.

“Our goal was to move students beyond the classroom. Over two weeks, they visited five companies in Shanghai and Beijing and worked on live projects tied to those firms, so the learning was immediate and consequential rather than theoretical,” says Jenny Zhang, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Student Success. “Just as valuable were the days spent alongside students at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and Capital University of Economics and Business in Beijing, where our students had great discussion with their students on various topics and made friends with each other. And visiting sites such as the Great Wall, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven gave them the historical context that makes modern China legible. Students came back with a different sense of the country and what they’re capable of and the lifelong friendship they built with each other through the program.”

The company tours connected lessons from the classroom with the realities of management in fast-moving industries.

Kris Teh ’26, who took his MGMT 449 capstone course during the study tour, said the visits offered a closer look at the decisions businesses make as they grow and respond to changing market conditions.

“I found it especially valuable to see concepts from the classroom being applied in real-world settings,” he says. “The tours gave me a better understanding of how important long-term planning, forecasting and strategic decision-making are to creating longevity for a company.”

The experience also highlighted the need for businesses to balance efficiency with effectiveness while remaining prepared to adjust their strategies.

“With the pace at which technology continues to advance, these companies demonstrated the importance of balancing effectiveness and efficiency while also being willing to pivot when the market changes,” says Teh.

For Business Titans, study abroad experiences revolutionize career trajectories and broaden horizons to the broader world.

“Before going, China was mostly an idea to me, something I had only studied in school, read books about, or seen in documentaries and the news,” explains Nora Reyes, who took the finance course. “After spending one week in Shanghai and another in Beijing, I can say that going there was one of the best experiences of my life. Being there in person taught me about its internal and external business, cultural richness and even my own ability to adapt when I am far outside my comfort zone.”

Encouraging Fellow Titans to Go Abroad

For students considering an international program, study abroad is an opportunity to approach the world with curiosity and openness. Being in an unfamiliar environment creates opportunities to discover new places, foods and cultures alongside fellow students.

Accounting student Luis Salazar testified to the life-changing aspect of the experience. “This trip pushed me to grow not only as a student, but also as an individual. It taught me resilience, adaptability, confidence, and the importance of trusting myself even when life does not go according to plan. China will forever hold a special place in my heart because it gave me so much more than beautiful culture. It showed me a pursuit of a better tomorrow through its highly advanced technology, introduced me to incredibly affordable and delicious food, and allowed me to witness a way of life that was both inspiring and eye-opening,” he says.

“More importantly, it gave me lifelong lessons and meaningful bonds with people I never imagined I would meet,” says Salazar. “Thank you, China, for your hospitality, your kindness, and the unique perspective you offer to the world and to ordinary people like me. This experience has changed me in ways I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

For more on student life and achievements at the CSUF business college, read more of our articles on student life.