Exploring Asian Culture

First-year and sophomores with a GPA of 3.00 or higher may register for "Exploring Asian Culture" for the spring semester. Enrollment is limited to 20 students.

Instruction at LMU will include 20 hours of lecture over five Saturdays during the spring semester. Students then go to Seoul, South Korea for cultural experiences, corporate visits, and lectures. Students then travel to The Greater Bay Area, China for a new cultural experience, additional corporate visits, and lectures. 

*Consent of the assistant director is required prior to registration. Students must complete the application and pay a $500 nonrefundable deposit toward the travel fee. The remaining $2500 travel fee will be applied to the student account upon registering.

Application deadline is December 9, 2024 at 12 p.m.

• Passport (valid through December 3, 2025)
• Students with U.S. passports will need visas for travel to China
• International students may need visas
• International Health Insurance (additional expense if not included in student's insurance plan)

Note: By registering for the course in the spring semester and maintaining full-time status, no additional tuition will be charged. In addition, if LMU GPA requirements are met, student may apply for unit overload.

Seoul, Korea: includes double occupancy, transportation, cultural site fees, lecture fees, breakfast, and a welcome meal.

Greater Bay Area, China: includes double occupancy, transportation, cultural site fees, lecture fees, breakfast, and a welcome and farewell meal.

Program travel fee: $3,000

The Center for Asian Business is pleased to announce awards for the Exploring Asian Culture course. We invite all students who enroll to apply for a travel award.

In their applications, students will write an essay (500-600 words) describing why they would like to take the course and what they hope to learn. In addition, applicants should address how this course and award will help their future career goals. Finally, applicants should describe their financial need. Students should attach their essay, resume and unofficial transcripts to this application. Complete application here.

The deadline to apply for a travel award for this course is December 2, 2024.

Applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee. Awards will be awarded on the basis of the student’s qualifications, including the essay, financial need, and GPA.

Award recipients may receive an award up to half of the program fee, i.e., $1500, as travel reimbursement.

Award recipients will be expected to complete all course requirements, including the study abroad component of the course. Recipients will also be asked to help promote the program in the following year.

"I found it to be an amazing trip, so much so that I hope to participate in the Korea/Japan trip in the future." - Luca Schell

"An unforgettable experience that encompasses cultural immersion and business knowledge." - Hope Sadahiro

"I had one of the greatest experiences of my life and have made friendships and memories that will last a life time. I know that might sound cliché but it entirely true. You get to travel across the world with a group of students with the same interests and goals as you and share a once in a lifetime experience. All the adults that help with this program try the best to make it a wonderful time for you and they do so much to make the trip a fun one." - Kailee Mora

"INBA 2998 is amazing. The class provided me with the basic knowledge regarding the business world of the 3 prominent Asian countries. And as for the trip, I honestly would go again if I could because it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. I got to wear Korean traditional attire, made kimchi, climbed up the Great Wall of China, visited well-known corporates, and most importantly made a lot of new wonderful friends. I would definitely recommend this program to every student." - Vichida Vongvanij

"INBA 2998 really gave me a new perspective of how business is done in other countries. Immersing ourselves was key to being able to see firsthand how China and South Korea go about business as well as the differences between the two Asian countries. I now realize how different I will need to go about how I do business internationally when I get the chance to open my own company." - Sadie Misle

"Great time! Got to experience new cultures and get close with a group of people who would have not met otherwise." - Sean Dudley

"INBA 2998, for me, was a great way to get an introduction to the some of the major powers in Southeast Asia in terms politics and culture, and a good way to get some basics regarding their economies and how they are where they are now. I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in international politics and/or international business." - Collin Chersi

"INBA not only gave me an unforgettable experience of a lifetime, but a real look into the incredible cultures that surround us." - Rodd Naimi

"The best decision I ever made in college!" - Emma Noehrbass

"INBA 2998 was one of the best choices I made in college. Going to Asia to see the places we studied in person is something I couldn't experience in a classroom. We're in college - what better time to explore our interests!" - Stephen Carlin

"It's one thing to read about history in books, but it's another to actually go and experience it. Going to Korea and China was the best time in my life and I'll remember it forever." - Alexis Joi Lester

"Exploring Asian Culture opened up so many opportunities for me to learn about two countries that are not often covered in many of our classes. It was amazing to see all the sites that I had always wanted to visit and learn about. It was also a great opportunity to meet people on campus I would have never met otherwise." - Hannah Hauserman

"I don't think I would have ever been able to experience, or even have the opportunity to experience, such an amazing trip without the Exploring Asian Culture program. If I could, I would do it all over again." - Cairesse Grimes

"This trip was definitely the best decision I have made in college! I met a lot of great people and came away with 14 great new friends, learned so much and had so much fun. It was a great mixture of education, history and culture. It was the greatest trip I have ever taken and I would love to go back." - Brendan Henderson

"The trip to Korea and China was unforgettable. It was so nice to bond with the other LMU students, while becoming culturally immersed through class lectures, site visits, meeting students who attended University in Seoul and Beijing, and free time where the other students and I had the opportunity to explore the cities. If you have a desire to experience a culture that is very different from your own, this course is the best way to do so. The students in Seoul and Beijing were very welcoming and as interested in us as we were them, making conversations an interesting exchange of ideas and customs. The program was one of the best things I ever did during my four years at LMU!" - Jamie Hunter