PURPOSE:
There are a few objectives associated with this log. Writing about events tends to reinforce the experience, hopefully leading to more long-term learning. Asking you to write about the relationship between class material and "real world" corporate visits, helps put these international business concepts in a realistic, personal perspective. Writing about the cultural experiences will also tend to reinforce what you are exposed to in social and professional settings. The log also helps keep track of learning and thinking on a daily basis.
The log is also an opportunity to improve writing skills. It is difficult to put thoughts on paper; this type of exercise helps focus thoughts. While the grading of this assignment is relatively undemanding, I expect you will put some thought into what you write and how you express those ideas.
Another goal is that I hope to learn from these logs. Arranging these visits is difficult in part because of the distance involved. I can not go to each
potential host, view the facilities, and interview the company representatives who will make the presentations. Because I try to change the trip each year, adding new and exciting places to visit, my experience will be as fresh as yours. I am continuously building a dossier of companies we should attempt to visit again and identifying individuals we should request as future speakers. I also want to identify those we do not wish to visit again. These decisions will be based on your logs, as well as my own observations and insights.
Finally, the log provides a springboard for ideas for discussions when we return to class. The trip tends to change the relationship among group members and our discussions during the remainder of the semester will be somewhat livelier, and based on some common body of experience.
FORMAT: top of page 5
This log should contain entries about your experiences during the international travel portion of this course. These entries ought to be devoted to explaining or exploring items related to international business. The log should include an outline of company presentations, your observations, insights, questions, answers, recommendations, and perceived relationships between textbook material and discussions during corporate visits. If possible, identify any applications to you or your industry. The log is intended to provide me with an indication of what was learned.
I also expect some comments about speakers and hosts, as well as travel, cities, people, food, lodging, and any other personal experiences you feel are worth noting. Personal insights about each culture is expected.
GRADING: [top of page]
The material in your log is not graded on spelling or grammar, and to some extent, there are no predetermined expectations about the content. Neatness counts in terms of legibility - I would like to be able to read the log. This is one instance where quantity counts more than quality (you get the shovel, I'll bring the boots).
The only criterion used in grading is whether you have complete entries for each day. Completeness is measured by the number and/or depth of items discussed. I assume the entries will vary in length and sagacity each day, but you must have an entry for each day. If you meet this criterion, you receive full credit, if not, no credit will be given.
On our return, I expect you to reread your entries and mark the ones which you think are particularly insightful (*) so when I read them, I do so with special care. Since this is basically an ungraded assignment, I will keep my comments to a minimum.
While these entries are likely to be personal at times, you will be asked to discuss your most significant ideas in class (anonymously whenever possible, unless you specify it's O.K. to mention your name) - I assume some of your remarks will be particularly insightful, and I believe, important enough to share with others. I will never reveal anything you ask me not to.
Please, date your entries and number the pages. I request that you make the entries each evening while the adventure and ordeals of the day are still fresh in your mind.
BIOGRAPHY GUIDELINES
Top of page 5
This is the eighth year of this course
. There have been more than 150 students and 10 faculty that have participated in this
experience
. It is unique, in part because we work very closely throughout the semester, but particularly during the trip portion of the course. One result is that we get to know one another better than in other classroom settings. To foster this, I would like to assemble a biography book that contains a little about each of us that I can pass around the class. To that end, I would like a short, 1-2 page biography from you. Please include anything of interest, for example:
-
Name and contact information (address, phone numbers, etc.).
-
Education background (undergraduate degree from ___, how far along in graduate program?, major at undergraduate and graduate levels, etc.).
-
Work experience (firms, job titles/descriptions, when, how long).
-
Travel experience (where, when, and how long did you stay?).
-
Any personal data you care to share (spouse's and/or childrens' names).
-
Plans? (reason for pursuing a graduate degree).
-
If you have one and have not done so already, bring enough business cards to distribute to all in the class the day this assignment is due.
Please write in prose, rather than a bulleted list as you might for a resume. I will distribute a copy of these biographies to all in the class the week following the due date. Please send a copy of your biography either as an attachment to an e-mail message, or in the body of your e-mail message. My e-mail address is:
FrumkinS@philau.edu