Sewanee offers students the opportunity to study the Dynamics of International Business during the Easter Semester and then travel abroad for the faculty-led course from late May through early June. Students earn 2 credits for the Spring course, and a total of 2 academic credits on this study away program.
Quick Facts
Where: Singapore & Vietnam
When: May 21, 2026- June 5, 2026
Cost: TBD
Trip Leader: Professor Myles Elledge, Director of the Babson Center for Global Commerce.
Prerequisites: Economics 101 or 102. The program is open to high-performing Sewanee students during their sophomore or junior year. Students must enroll in BUS350 (2 credits, Spring) to enroll in BUS351 (2 credits, May-June travel period)
Overview: This course examines business trends and business structures in Asian emerging markets, with a focus on Singapore and Vietnam in the 2026 edition. The course initially focuses on the country context, the foundational elements of political, social and economic history by drawing on readings from key economic development texts to set the stage for business context. Rapid economic growth in SE Asia during recent decades was led by large corporate enterprises which were organized in ways different from companies based in Western countries. This course discusses the evolution of conglomerate enterprises and multinational business networks. It introduces students to examples of corporate organization and management of these enterprises and elaborates how these structures impact the success of Asian companies. In contrast, the course will examine the policies and case examples of the SE Asia start-up ecosystem, and how new start-up business development and entrepreneurship, social impact, is shaping an innovation economy. The faculty-led travel /study-away course will also explore business practices in SE Asia, providing students with a firsthand understanding of the dynamic economy, business, protocol, and business customs.
Tentative Itinerary
Vietnam and Singapore (2024-2026)
During study away in Vietnam and Singapore, students explore the rapidly developing business ecosystems of Southeast Asia. Participants engage with finance professionals, global consulting firms, and startup founders from across the technology, private equity, environmental management, and hospitality sectors. In the past, this trip has included meetings with executives from the sustainability-focused investment company TIGRIS, the AI and fintech developer Verysell Group, sustainable manufacturer Nam Xanh, and international venture capital firm Golden Gate Ventures. Between engagements in Singapore, Hanoi, and Saigon, students have also explored the region's historic, natural, and cultural landscapes through visits to the Singapore Botanical Gardens, executive tours of the historic Raffles Hotel, cruising through Hạ Long Bay, and visiting to the Hanoi Sofitel Metropole.
During study away in India, students were introduced to business culture in a variety of industries and sectors throughout three major cities: Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Cohorts met with innovative leaders in financial, educational, and information technology as well as renewable energy, philanthropy, and the arts/entertainment. Their itinerary included meetings with the multinational IT company Mphasis, electric vehicle finance company Revfin, sustainable energy company Tata Power, and Bollywood filmhouse S. J. Studios. Students also enjoyed sightseeing ventures in Agra, Mysore, and Coorg. Throughout their trip, participants visited architectural marvels such as the Taj Mahal and the Gateway to India and experienced cultural hallmarks at Crawford Market, the Dhobi Ghat, and Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
