Deakin Business School
Faculty of Business and Law
'The China Study Program for me was a fantastic life changing experience. Whilst I learned many things about China and its people, I learned more about myself than I ever imagined and this personal journey was one of the most valuable I have ever taken.
In business, the Chinese place an immense amount of importance on relationships and this helped me to rediscover the importance of relationships and friends. The way I go about my life, both in business and in family, has changed forever as a result of my experiences in China and Hong Kong. The lifelong friendships I formed were the highlight of the tour.
The China Study Program is well organised with an ingenious balance of learning and fun. I highly recommend it to all MBA students. It is an opportunity not to be missed.' Brenton (2007)
'China program '06 was one of the best and most insightful study programs, where I experienced not just being in a totally new country or environment but where I learnt to live, rather than just survive in a country where food, language and lifestyle are entirely diverse. After such an immense experience in terms of creating contacts with different people, learning of their industries and creating a personal rapport with my classmates, I would definitely vouch for similar programs to everyone in the future. Touring around china has conceived in me a sense of realization of the mechanics that gear one of the fastest growing economies of the world, and the nationalism it takes to strive and achieve success not only in the country as a whole but also in the hearts of men.' Raghu (Ronnie), 2006
The 2006 China study program participants (Raghu is the fifth from the right)
'The China program was a great experience for me as I was able to experience the culture, economy, history and the future challenges that China faces first hand. This experience cannot be had any other way than a visit to this country. I enjoyed every minute of the visit and I think I am very lucky to have had this experience. I recommend this program to all MBA students.' Sam, quote from a 2006 participant.
'The China Study Program is dynamic and intensive...a thoroughly refreshing and rewarding learning experience working with a high calibre of people...excellent opportunities for network building and for anyone interested in the international business arena, especially China.' Kate, 2006
'The China Study Program exceeded my expectations - from a personal, professional and academic prospective. It was a whole lot of fun whilst also very inspiring and challenging. Highlights included obtaining an insight into the Chinese culture and the amazing pace of westernisation in Shanghai as well as access to very senior and well respected Chinese lecturers. The camaraderie and friendships created during the 3 week tour was another unexpected delight.' Marcell, 2006
Phil, Tom, Michael, Steve, Dennis, Sam, Kate, Marcell, and Emma, enjoying the sights of the famous YuYuan Garden in Shanghai 2006.
'...The China Program for me was a once in a lifetime opportunity, the experiences not only from a business perspective but also a personal perspective were enormous. To be able not only to learn from but also share those experiences with a diverse but like minded group of people made it all the more worthwhile.' Matthew, 2006
'The China group experience has been one of those life moments, that we will continue to look back on and reflect, at the great sharing and learning we had together both within our wonderful group and with the great and hospitable Chinese hosts.' Gabi, 2006
Students & staff kitted out in safety gear to adhere to occupational health and safety regulations, at the start of their site visit to the Alcoa Aluminium Products in Shanghai 2006.
'My name is Aryu Putri Shelomita Dewi and I am an international student from Jakarta studying in the Master of Commerce program. On October 2005 last year, I finally decided to join The China Study Program to do International Business Management (IBM) and Human Resource Management (HRM). Honestly, I am quite a shy girl but I really wanted to develop my knowledge and social skills. I thought the China study program would be difficult for me because I heard that students who had been working full time for a while were doing this program.
In fact I had many wonderful new experiences by studying in China. Everyone 
was so friendly and my lecturers were very helpful and I learned a great deal about HRM & Business Management in China as well as how to socialize with the new friends I made on the trip. During the time in China I learned about how to do business in China by having lectures at the East China University of Politics and Law (ECUPL), visiting companies, and discussing and solving problems with my new friends. All the way through this exciting time, I feel my understanding has grown greatly and it has already proved helpful. These aspects in particular, I think will help me to develop my knowledge and my social skills. A highlight for me was also getting a Certificate from 'ECUPL-Shanghai' which will benefit my resume.
Here I am second from the right with some of the other students from the group - Tinneke Kurniawati from Bandung, and Hesti Astuti and Fitria Sunarjati from Jakarta when we went on a visit to the famous Yu Yuan Gardens in Shanghai and had great fun dressing up in traditional Chinese dress for a photo.' 2005
'What I experienced in Shanghai is without doubt one of the most extraordinary group experiences of my life...Group members were able to leverage the strengths of the other members to help cope with uncertain situations, solve problems, provide support, and enrich the learning and social experience.' Shane Lyons, 2005
Tony Shields, Clayton Findlay-Jones, Leon Rawson and Shane Lyons inspect the bamboo scaffolding at the Yuan Gardens.
'I felt that I learnt so much! Textbooks never could have given me the same depth of understanding about China and the issues pertaining to business management and HRM in China. This was real learning in action. As a distance education student, I also found it immensely valuable to spend time with other MBA students, and to benefit from their knowledge and impressions of what we were learning.' Carol Lapysys, 2005
Carrol Lapsys and friends in front of the Leaning Pagoda in Suzhou
'It was an excellent way to see the cultural differences and the impact these differences can have on a business. It again highlighted the importance of understanding the country and the culture if you want to make the most of your resources.' Raluca Racoti, 2005
The Deakin University Group at Alcoa China (Racula is second from the left)
'Last year (2004) I had one of the most amazing learning experiences of my 43 years of life. That experience was the Deakin China Study program. If ever there was a case of an educational institution showing inspirational flair and thinking far beyond norms of the run of the mill post grad business course the China Program is it. The experience gained by the students on this program could not be replicated by any other form of learning. Since my return I have a new interest in our trade with China . This includes my current work with livestock and dairy product export to China . I have seen first hand the potential of the international business environment and realised that doing business overseas is not as daunting as I thought. As a result our business has a number of initiatives that are being explored to do some consulting work in China
For my own part the China Program was a twist of fate that shall always be dear to me. When the brochure first hit my desk I put it to one side to be looked at out of interest. I was about to complete a Grad Cert in Accounting and 
was not intending to go on to complete the full MBA so further courses were not really of interest. When I picked the brochure up and read it my interest was sparked immediately. I was moved to at least contact Marie to enquire about the program. Her enthusiasm over the phone convinced me that this was something worth pursuing. I articulated into the MBA program and continued my study. The rest is history.
I believe that the Deakin University China Program has the potential to really set Deakin University apart amongst the Australian business schools. Already I have recommended it strongly to acquaintances of mine who are studying at Deakin. … Increasingly business is recognising the importance of a global perspective. Employment opportunities will be far greater for graduates and postgrads who have had overseas study experience.
The relationships being developed by the Deakin staff with the members of Each China University of Politics and Law (ECUPL) in Shanghai were obvious. The ongoing development of that relationship during the program was even more obvious. Part of the program was a visit to Wuxi which is a town (6 million people) west of Shanghai. It was obvious that the members of Deakin staff had developed a significant relationship with important people in this town. As such I felt there would only be one university that the businessmen of Wuxi would consider sending their sons and daughters – Deakin. For the students on the program the learning experience in Wuxi was profound - we saw the process of export of educational services to China in action. This is something that can never come from textbooks.' Tom Walsh, 2004
Isaac Bromley, Justin Free, Robert Mezentsef and Tom Walsh in front of the Pearl Tower, Shanghai
