Directors Note Fall 2022–Vietnam
Students Thrive in the Global Economy
Thank goodness global analysts aren’t coroners. They have declared globalization dead so many times over the last ten years that it certainly would have been buried alive like an Edgar Allen Poe global horror story if we had listened to them. Vietnam is alive with the sounds and sights of globalization and an illustration of why it is so important for today’s students be grounded in a global outlook. It’s one of the reason our Center created the Follow the Supply Chain Study Abroad program and chose Vietnam as its international destination.
Yes, after two years of pandemic delays, your Center of Excellence was pleased to partner with North Seattle, Wenatchee Valley, Tacoma Community and Highline College to again help lead the study abroad program. (See North Seattle College student Blaine Marc Relatado’s article below). Thirteen students from three colleges again followed two products through the supply chain to and from Washington State and Vietnam.
In recent years, Vietnam has become a significant player in the world economy as companies diversify their supply chains, often by moving manufacturing and assembly to Vietnam. Consequently, for international trade-tied Washington State, where 40 percent of jobs are tied to international trade in one way or another, Vietnam is also a key economic partner. Vietnam is the second-largest importer through the Northwest Seaport Alliance and is one of the larger destinations for air cargo through Sea-Tac Airport. From Boeing to Microsoft, Expeditors International to Lineage, there are an increasing amount of Washington State companies with a presence in Vietnam.
The Follow the Supply Chain Study Abroad program is distinctive in a number of ways. First, it is affordable to all students. We still only charge $500 to participate—which covers students’ airfare, lodging, ground transportation and much of their food—thanks to generous sponsorships from organizations such as Lynden International, the University of Washington Center for Global Affairs and Foster School. The support of these organizations meant we had students from as diverse a group of backgrounds as you can imagine. If you’re interested in sponsoring next year’s program, please let us know.
This study abroad program is also distinctive in that it provides an up-close, hands-on look at global supply chains. Our students saw how two products are produced and flow through supply chains: from design, packaging, trade compliance, ports and more. A globalized economy, which despite so many errantly predicting its end, has only become more so in recent years. Supply chains have become more diversified around the world, which means we need to provide students an understanding of how these supply chains work, and an opportunity to experience different cultures and markets, in a tangible way.
And, we couldn’t have asked for a better group of students to re-launch the program with. Traveling during a pandemic (no matter what elected officials say, there’s still a pandemic out there), requires flexibility, smarts and patience from organizer and participant alike. Our students displayed all these traits and not only helped each other throughout the trip but those organizing it as well.
The future is in good hands.
