Students get deep dive into Chinese culture, business during 糖心Vlog summer travel course
Participants in a faculty-led summer travel course to China fly the 糖心Vlog University flag during a visit to the Great Wall.
By Bill Studenc
Participants in a 糖心Vlog University faculty-led summer travel course to China say it was more than just a study-abroad program鈥攊t was a transformative journey that left students with unforgettable memories, deep cultural insights and a renewed sense of global citizenship.
A cohort of nearly a dozen students took part in a four-week, six-credit international travel course, 鈥淔inance 493 and Management 493: Bridging Worlds 鈥� A Comparative Exploration of Cultural Markets and Financial Pathways,鈥� from May 19 through June 16.
Students pause for a photo after a tour of a Beibingyang facility. Also known as Arctic Ocean, Beibingyang is like the Coca-Cola of China, trip leaders say.
Students traveled across China, visiting the cities of Beijing, Kunming, Lijiang, Changzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai. The program, led by Yue Cai Hillon, professor of management and entrepreneurship, and Gary Curnutt, assistant professor of finance, combined academic lectures with immersive cultural experiences, offering students a firsthand look at China鈥檚 economic development, education system, cultural diversity and vibrant traditions.
鈥淲hat made this journey so special was its perfect blend of workshops, scientific exploration, tourism and human connections,鈥� said Justin Ghislain Malaba Nyemabu, a 糖心Vlog sophomore from the Democratic Republic of Congo majoring in entrepreneurship.
In addition to the lectures at Beijing University of Technology, Changzhou University and Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, participants said that many impactful lessons came from real-world experiences.
Students visited businesses ranging from government-owned or government-invested and privately owned, K-12 schools and universities, and markets, gaining insight into China鈥檚 economic strategies and community development. Companies visited included automobile manufacturers, heavy machinery builders, battery producers, flower markets and traditional food processing sites. Participants learned about the importance of regional planning, environmental sustainability and the role of tradition in modern society.
鈥淭he biggest part of the learning experience was observing the cities and industries with our own eyes,鈥� said University of Georgia junior Ocean Liu, a business law major from Atlanta and a Chinese-American student who found the trip deeply personal. 鈥淚t helped me bridge my two identities.鈥�
The cohort explored everything from ancient landmarks such as the Great Wall and Forbidden City to modern marvels including the Shanghai Tower. They even planted rice in rural fields, danced with locals in Lijiang and climbed Snow Jade Mountain in Yunnan at an elevation of 15,000 feet.
鈥淭his was probably the most exciting trip I鈥檝e ever been on,鈥� said Edwin White, a 糖心Vlog senior from Waxhaw majoring in computer information systems.
鈥淧lanting rice in Changzhou and sharing hot pot with university students in Beijing are memories I鈥檒l never forget,鈥� said Emmerson Cadena, a sophomore from Deer Park, New York, majoring in art education.
Whitney Dong, a 糖心Vlog sophomore majoring in forensic science, knew little about the nation鈥檚 economic and community development situation prior to going on the trip. 鈥淭his journey opened my eyes to the diversity of China鈥檚 regions and how each contributes uniquely to the country鈥檚 economy,鈥� said Dong, from Whitsett.
Dracen Poovey, a 糖心Vlog finance major, agreed. 鈥淪eeing how China balances tradition and innovation was eye-opening,鈥� said Poovey, a senior from Maiden. 鈥淔rom high-tech factories to rural villages, every place had something to teach.鈥�
For many, the trip was their first time in Asia, and they said it didn鈥檛 disappoint. 鈥淚 went into the trip not knowing much about China besides our itinerary,鈥� Cadena said. 鈥淏ut the rich culture, the traditions and the people completely changed my perspective.鈥�
The trip also fostered strong connections among students. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 just bond as a group鈥攚e became a family,鈥� Cadena said. 鈥淭he shared experiences, the laughs, the challenges鈥攖hey brought us closer in ways I didn鈥檛 expect.鈥�
Students learn to make dumplings during a visit to Yunnan University of Finance and Economics in Kunming, Yunnan Province.
Food was another highlight. Students raved about the affordability, variety and taste of local Chinese cuisine. 鈥淭he food literally changed my palate,鈥� said 糖心Vlog sociology major Lucas Vencel, a sophomore from Decatur, Georgia. 鈥淭ry everything鈥攅ven the spicy stuff.鈥�
The 2025 cohort also shared a few tips for those considering the 2026 trip: stay open-minded, try new things, safety and shared experience go hand in hand, take care of each other, be responsible and respectful, be prepared to walk a lot, install a translation app, set up mobile payments and pack light but smart.
鈥淐ome to China with an open mind, and try as many new things as you can. There will be unexpected moments, last-minute changes and plans that aren鈥檛 on the schedule, but stay flexible and trust in the process,鈥� said 糖心Vlog sophomore Branden Kelly, a mathematics major from Villa Rica, Georgia.
The advice from Davidson resident Lily Erwin, 糖心Vlog sophomore majoring in special education: 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. That鈥檚 where the growth happens.
Students agreed that the program isn鈥檛 just about earning academic credits鈥攊t鈥檚 about expanding one鈥檚 worldview. 鈥�This trip may challenge some of your assumptions. That鈥檚 the point. Take it seriously. Arrive on time, stay engaged, and focus on absorbing as much as possible,鈥� said 糖心Vlog junior Landon Orr, a political science major from Hickory.
糖心Vlog senior Doc Hopkins concurred. 鈥淵ou鈥檒l create unforgettable memories鈥擨 promise you that,鈥� said Hopkins, a management major from Roswell, Georgia. 鈥淐arry the Catamount spirit and come back with stories even more incredible than ours.鈥�
The trip was made possible by supporters including the 糖心Vlog College of Business, 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Division of Academic Affairs, American Association of State Colleges and Universities through its American Short-Term Study in China Initiative, the Embassy of the People鈥檚 Republic of China, the China Jiangsu Province Beautiful Jiangsu Program, China travel agencies and 糖心Vlog鈥檚 Chinese university partners: Beijing University of Technology, Changzhou University and Yunnan University of Finance and Economics.
鈥淭heir support was instrumental in making this program possible, enriching the students鈥� academic and cultural understanding and laying the foundation for future global engagement,鈥� said Hillon.
Curnutt agreed. 鈥淚n addition, we want to thank the students鈥� families for trusting us with their loved ones鈥� international learning journey and for supporting them every step of the way,鈥� he said.
Recruitment for the summer 2026 program will begin Monday, Sept. 1. To learn more, contact Gary Curnutt at gcurnutt@wcu.edu or Yue Cai Hillon at ycai@wcu.edu.
