Ten Brigham Young University–Hawaii students recently embarked on an 11-day Asia Sourcing Experience, immersing themselves in the complexities of global supply chains and manufacturing processes across Korea, China, and Vietnam. Approved by Professor Nate Stephens, dean of the Faculty of Business & Government, this program deepened students' understanding of international businesses. It provided firsthand exposure to the intricacies of sourcing, logistics, and manufacturing in some of Asia’s most dynamic economies.
The students, all business management majors, came from diverse backgrounds, including the Philippines, Mongolia, Taiwan, South Korea, French Polynesia, and the United States of America. Professor PJ Rogers, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Business & Government, accompanied them. They visited 21 factories and companies, gaining insights into various manufacturing and logistical operations. This included visits to critical facilities such as the OSUNO factory in Vietnam and the Dalian Shipping Port Authority in China.
The trip aimed to equip students with practical knowledge of the end-to-end process of sourcing goods and materials overseas, from raw material procurement to final product shipment. "We learned the intricacies of supply chain processes, quality checks, customer relations, and international business etiquette," said Maka Kioa, a senior from California majoring in business management with an emphasis in supply chain and operations management. He adds, "One of the most valuable business skills prominent throughout the trip was the power of networking."
For many, the trip’s experiences extended beyond the classroom. "This trip wasn't just about observing factories; it was a transformative experience that combined classroom learning with real-world exposure, networking, and cultural immersion," said Eunji Kim, a senior from South Korea majoring in business management with an emphasis in supply chain and marketing, who appreciated how the trip enhanced her understanding of global logistics and supply chain management. Tzu Hsin Lin, a senior from Taiwan majoring in business management with an emphasis in supply chain and marketing, spoke about the importance of networking with veterans in the industry, saying, “The people who we met on the trip gave us some significant advice, and that’s from someone who had already 30 or even 40 years of experience.”
The program's impact was evident in the tangible outcomes achieved by the students. Fifteen internships were offered on the spot by companies in Korea, China, and Vietnam. Jade Faye Cortes-Magracia, a senior from the Philippines majoring in business management with an emphasis in supply chain, secured a role as a Sales Representative for OSUNO Company in Vietnam, helping to expand their market into the Philippines. "This is such a great opportunity for me, and it is more than I hoped to receive from this trip," she said.
The trip also fostered entrepreneurial insights. Briggs Helser, a graduate from Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in business management, decided to miss his graduation day to participate in the trip. He leveraged the connections made during the journey to expand his Amazon business operations. "The relationships built during this trip are transforming my business and helping me get a better price sourcing the products I sell on Amazon," he noted. Didier Pedron, a senior from French Polynesia majoring in business management with an emphasis in marketing, initially struggled to see the relevance of the trip in his field of study. However, the journey became an eye-opener for him; saying, “I learned that no matter what business you want, it should always start with the customer. And one gets customers through sales, marketing, and networking.”
Ralph Martinez, a junior from the Philippines majoring in business management with an emphasis in finance, marveled at the inclusion of guides or translators in some of the countries they visited. “The benefit of this is to connect people better and create meaningful plans about the future and maintain a reliable network,” he said. Terry Tsai, a senior from Taiwan majoring in business management with an emphasis in supply chain, testified of this, emphasizing the importance of having English-speaking guides in non-English-speaking countries, saying, “Because OSUNO asked the Vietnamese university students to translate for us, it reduced the language barrier for us.”
The Asia Sourcing Experience was a resounding success, with students gaining over 150 hours of direct project engagement. The program culminated in producing a high-level sourcing and logistics manual, a resource that will aid students in their future job interviews and careers. “This trip allowed me to see things from a bigger perspective. I can now include this experience in my resume when applying for a job, even my sourcing manual, to showcase my skills and understanding,” said Tsolmon Enkhtuya, a graduate from Mongolia with a bachelor’s degree in business management. Manu Tefan, a junior from French Polynesia majoring in business management with an emphasis in marketing and supply chain, reflected on the trip, saying, “I gathered some valuable insights that could be a real boost in landing a job or kicking off a business. I learned how crucial it is to know the industry inside out. The trip reinforced the idea that learning and adapting is key to staying ahead in business.”
Professor Rogers is grateful for the opportunity to lead the students during the trip, saying, “It gave them a great understanding of the entire process of businesses. Everything I do here at BYU–Hawaii is to help my students prepare and rock their job interview, get a great job, and ultimately do great in that job or create a company they would like to run. This trip did those things and more for the students.” He also noted the spiritual aspect of the trip, adding, “We always pray daily as a team throughout the journey, the purpose of which is always to do things in Jesus Christ’s name and remember how grateful we are for the opportunity and blessing of being on the trip. With that in mind, we would experience various things during the journey and tie them into spiritual lessons, knowing where we all truly come from: our Heavenly Father.”
The Asia Sourcing Experience provided a platform for practical learning. It opened doors to new opportunities for these BYU–Hawaii students, setting the stage for them to become global business leaders while honoring their covenants with their Heavenly Father.
Registration for the April 2025 Asia Sourcing & Entrepreneurship Experience trip has begun. BYUH Full-time students from all majors are eligible.
Read additional information, the trip requirements, and how to apply on the online application form.