This Blog Has Migrated

Thanks to all of our faithful readers!

The student blog for the MIM program has moved! Our new address is http://pdxmim.wordpress.com.

Please update your links, and visit is at our new home. We are excited to share regular updates from the new class of 2010!

Why Choose PSU Graduate School of Business?

Lets watch the video and find out!

Chinese or Japanese?

A special attribute of the MIM program is the exciting opportunity to start learning a new language. As part of your core courses you will take around nine months of intensive Business Chinese or Business Japanese. Each language has beginning, intermediate and advanced levels to fit everyone's proficiency and all Chinese speaking students have to take Japanese (Japanese speaking students have to take Chinese).

Last year, I chose the beginning Business Chinese and I am sad to say that my nine months of class are over. Looking back, I am amazed at how much I learned. I am able to speak with my Chinese classmates on a basic level and I was comfortable traveling by myself in China after our Asia Trip. In the year end final, I gave a 10 minute presentation on myself and my family, my trip to China, my job and school and what I want to do after graduation. I took the HSK test (a standard Chinese proficiency test) and passed both levels one and two. Oh yeah, I also learned how to recognize, write and type about 300 characters. Now comes the really hard part... not forgetting all that I have learned!

If you have any questions about the language classes, let me know.

Casey

International Student Profile

Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my great classmate and friend, Teerawat (Pete) Ngamvitayasiri, a full time MIM student from Thailand.

Before joining MIM, Pete got his BS in Industrial Engineering from Chulalongkorn University and worked for two years in an consulting firm in Bangkok. Pete chose the MIM program because he wanted to study a solid curriculum focusing on Pacific Rim business and he wanted to have the opportunity to acquire the language and cultural skills needed to be a competent international business professional.

Pete's specialization is Global Supply Chain Management because these classes are his favorite. He also liked Managing Information Technology and Global Human Resource Management because these classes equipped him with skills and concepts that can be applied to a wide range of business functions.

After graduation in December, Pete wants to work for a consulting firm or a corporate company as a business consultant providing strategic and business recommendation.

Good Luck Pete!

MIM Specializations

(Treehead Series - Inheritance on Flickr)

Hey all,

One of the cool things about the MIM program is that students take all the great strategic business classes with an Asia Pacific Rim focus PLUS they get to SPECIALIZE in an area of interest. The MIM program offers a specialization in four areas of international business: Global Marketing, International Corporate Financial Management, Global Supply Chain Management and Global Corporate Sustainability.

Global Marketing digs into the best strategies for a successful cross cultural marketing campaign.

International Corporate Financial Management gives students the skills to achieve an international company's financial goals.

Global Supply Chain Management prepares students to adapt to fast pace changes in the global market place including logistics and sourcing.

Global Corporate Sustainability teaches students the skills to improve an international company's triple bottom line (economic, social, environmental).

I am in the Global Corporate Sustainability track and my first elective class is tons of fun. I am taking Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It is a really hands on class where we learn how to successfully innovate by researching other social entrepreneurs and seeing how their models of success can be adapted to our own ideas. We then have the task of creating a market entry strategy for our own social enterprise. Lets just say my great idea will improve public health in developing countries, starting with China.

These electives are a real opportunity for the student to step outside their comfort zone and take risks to see how high they can reach. It is also great to have a specialization on your resume that differentiates yourself from the others.

If you have any questions about MIM specializations or any other questions about the MIM program, feel free to check out the website or send us an email askmim@pdx.edu.

Cheers,

Casey

International Student Profile

Winnie Hwa is a full time MIM student from Taiwan. She has been studying in the U.S. for almost two years and decided to pursue the MIM program because she wanted to see what Asian Business is like from an American perspective. In the program so far, her favorite class has been Global Operations Management because Global Supply Chain and Logistics is her specialization and she learned a lot about LEAN practices and the Theory of Constraints from this class. After graduation, she hopes to find a position in logistics management at a global company headquartered in the U.S. (preferably Portland). Winnie is a great addition to the 2009 cohort. Her knowledge about Taiwanese culture and great presentation skills have benefited all groups that she has been a member of.

Thanks Winnie!!!

Casey

FYI: MIM Information Session

Come one, come all to the MIM Information Session

When: Wednesday June 3, 2009 6pm–8pm

Where: School of Business Administration, 631 SW Harrison St, Room 550 Portland State University

What: Please join us and discuss all the aspects of the MIM program from application requirements, to financing, to classes, electives and student life. We are prepared to answer all of your questions!!

Hope to see you there!

Casey

Priority Application Deadline - April 30th

Hello,

So, you are interested in applying for the Masters of International Management Program!

Great! You know, there are so many reasons why the MIM program is such a great opportunity. First and foremost, we strongly feel that the curriculum in the program is unique when compared with other graduate degrees. Our professors are experienced and dynamic. Many of our classmates are international students, providing all of us with a diverse leaning environment. The foreign language training reflects the international aspect of this program. And to cap it all off, we get to travel to Asia for a three week field study.

The priority application deadline is April 30, 2009

The basic application requirements are:
- A 4-year degree or its equivalent, with a minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher
- GMAT or GRE exam
- Completion of MIM prerequisites (if needed)
- International students whose first language is not English, and who have not completed a degree from an accredited U.S. institution, must score at least 550 on the paper-based, 213 on the computer-based, and 79 on the internet-based TOEFL Test or 7.0 on the IELTS test

GO FOR IT… log onto the MIM Admissions Website
http://www.gradbusiness.pdx.edu/graduate_business_programs/mim/mim_admissions
and start your way to a fulfilling graduate program that will give you valuable skills for your future career in International Business.

In the mean time, if you have any questions about the application process, student life or if you would like to visit one of our classes, we encourage you to let us know.

Cheers,

Jack & Casey

Jack Chiu and Casey Cleary
Master of International Management Degree Candidates 2009
Portland State University

Spring Term Deliverables

Hello Everyone,

Just as I thought that this program couldn't get any more difficult...spring term came around, and I am realizing what difficult really means! Many of you have asked more specifically about what students are expected to produce in the program, so I thought I would let you know what papers and projects I am/will be working on.

Chinese: 5 minute presentation every other day using new vocabulary, one dictation every week to test comprehension, 5-10 new characters everyday, 10 minute presentation final and 20 minute conversation final.

Contemporary Asian Pacific Rim History and Politics: approx. 150 pages of reading every week, one group case study analysis every week (5 pages), one group presentation (15 mins.), final exam (essay based)

Global Human Resources Management: approx. 150 pages of reading every week, midterm and final (essay based), group project (HR poster about a specific country)

*International Finance and Investment: approx. 100 pages of reading every week, one group presentation (45 mins), four group case analysis (24 pages), an extensive finance problem every week, final (problems, multiple choice and essay)

*Global Law and Ethics: approx. 100-200 pages of reading every week, one individual paper (700 words), one group presentation (15 mins), midterm and final (multiple choice and essay)

* 1st year part time student classesr

PHEW...just listing it all out makes my head spin! Luckily, all of these classes, readings, papers and presentations are interesting and useful. They not only build on what I have learned in the program so far, but they allow me to practice how to make relevant business decisions. All of the cases that we use in this program are based upon real companies and real issues, so the examples we use are current and (to a degree) tangible.

I know it seems like a lot of work...well, it is a lot of work, but I am enjoying every minute of it and I know that I am compiling a tool box of sought after business skills that I will use in my future career.

Off to class now, so I'll check you all later!

Casey

Asia Trip Pictures

Hey All,

Wow, it feels good to be back state side. I had such a great time on the Asia trip but I'm glad to sleep in my own bed again. The term has started and we are back in the swing of things. I will update you later on how this semester is shaping out to be, but for now, I wanted to let you all know that Jack and I are available anytime to chat in person or on the phone about the program. We can also set you up with class visits or personal meetings with any of our professors. So, just let us know!

Also, here is a link to all my pictures from the Asia Trip! Enjoy!


Casey

Shanghai: Where Your Computer Is Made

Nimen Dajia Hao,

Wow, has it already been three weeks...?? This trip has been a whirlwind of great experiences and what a better place to finish than in Shanghai. If you have never been to Shanghai, just imagine a place where all the great cities of the world are joined together in architecture, feel, speed and culture. Walking down Nanjing Road through the Bund and across the river to the Pudong area feels like going through New York, Tokyo, Paris, London, Seoul and Beijing.

From Shanghai, we visited two OEM/ODM (original equipment/design manufacturing) computer manufacturers to speak with their managers and take factory tours. If you own a laptop, it was most likly made at Twinhead or Winstron. The most interesting point about these two factories is how much they differ from one another. For instance, one factory utilizes much, much more animation on their production lines than the other factory and one factory let us view its assembly much more in depth because it has less security constraints. These OEM/ODM's have two very different ways of doing business in the same industry and the on site lessons that we learned allowed us to gain valuable insights about sourcing and HR in China.

We also visited Suzhou Industrial Park which I think is best described as a Green Silicon Valley. It is a place where international technology businesses have heavily invested capital and knowledge to create a city that includes some of the top Science and Technology Universities in China, is the Asian headquarters for many global companies and houses thousands of well educated engineers and managers in LEAD certified, sustainable, buildings. I would not mind living here someday!

The Asia Trip section of my MIM degree has come to an end and I could not have imagined a better way to get a feel for doing business in Asia. This trip has cemented many concepts I have learned in the MIM program thus far and has also allowed me to have a better understanding of the processes and practices of business culture in Japan, Korea and China.

Many of the MIM students are heading back to Portland, but seeing how it is Spring Break, I am going to stay in China for a little while and spend some more time in the two "heavens on earth": Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Zaijian,

He Siyu (Casey)

Beijing: the Communist meets the Capitalist

Nimen Hao,

If you ever want to experience a place where the traditions of over 5,000 years meet the technology of tomorrow, a place where 20,000+ people are constantly striving to create a better life for the next generation or a place where a new form of government mixed between communism and capitalism is in its adolescence... spend some time in Beijing. Upon arrival, we learned that the People's Congress was in session and security across the city was very tight. Tiananmen Square, the biggest public square in the world, was closed during the evening, which made it seem even more grandiose without the usual throng of people. Since the Olympics, and since I lived here only a short 9 months ago, the city has already changed. There are more modern buildings, more boulevards, four more subway lines and all the historical monuments have been restored and cleaned. The speed and scale at which the Chinese can transform a plan into a reality is amazing.

Beijing is the center of government in China and if you want to do business in China, you have to have a government contact. We met with two Director Generals from China Banking Regulatory Commission, Department of Banking Supervision for Foreign Banks to discuss the history of banking in China, particularly since 1979 and how foreign banks and businesses go about investing or offering credit in China. It was a very valuable lecture, especially for those students who will specialize in Finance.

Unfortunately, Spring is the sand storm season in Beijing and the dust mixed with pollution was everywhere. Many students came down with a cold, including yours truly. Even worse, 10 people got food poisoning from the airline food on the way from Seoul to Beijing and I accompanied some of them to the Chinese International Hospital which is always a unique experience. It is pure chaos but somehow you are able to find the doctor, get the needed test and go home with medicine that works. Thankfully, everyone is almost back to normal now!

As for sightseeing, my classmate Jefferson and I arranged for a tour of Gugong (Forbidden City), Houhai Hutong (traditional Beijing neighborhoods around Houhai Lake) and Hotpot lunch... YUM! We also saw the Olympic Village, Temple of Heaven and Llama Temple. When eating food, the favorite is always Beijing Kaoya (roast duck) and Wanfujing Street Food (an assortment of food on a stick ranging from lamb to scorpion and seahorse.)

One of my classmates mentioned that Beijing is a city of incredible momentum. I would definitely have to agree. There is always a purpose here. People are always doing something to improve their situation as a community and individual. Whether for business, politics or culture, Beijing is definitely a place to get acquainted with and to keep a look out for in the future.

Zaijian,

He Siyu (Casey)

South Korea: The Future Is Now

Anyong haseyo,

Greetings from Seoul! The second city on our four city tour has been a fantastic experience. We landed at Incheon airport at 9pm and the beautiful night scenery along the Han River was breathtaking.

The first thing you notice is how futuristic the city is. We went on a tour of a Samsung apartment building and felt like we had transported 50 years into the future. The building was a closed loop system; environmentally friendly and technologically superior. For instance, while you are brushing your teeth in the bathroom, the tile floor that you stand on and your toothbrush takes your temperature, measures your body fat and blood pressure then sends that information to the fridge. The fridge then suggests the food you should eat for that day. Now that is a diet plan that might actually work! The house also senses where the people are in the room and directs the heat towards the people instead of heating up an empty space. The building generates its own energy through wind and solar power. It was incredible to see, especially for someone who is specializing in sustainability.

Our lectures were given by the President of the American Chamber of Commerce and a member of the American Consulate. We spoke about the situation between North Korea, South Korea, USA, China, Japan and Russia and how that can affect doing business in South Korea. We also learned about certain negotiation strategies when doing business with Koreans...i.e. negotiate till the very last second and that there is a very important etiquette for exchanging business cards.

The tour of Hyundai factory was incredible. Almost the entire car is built by robots! All 60 of us were walking through the factory with our mouths hung open in amazement as the robots welded, painted, assembled and checked for quality. Then, the wonderful people at Hyundai took us out for a traditional Korean feast:10,000 tiny plates filled with hundreds of kinds of Kimchi, Bulgogi, Sweet Potato Noodles and rice cake. SOOOOO GOOOD!!

Junu and Kwang, our full time Korean students, showed us a great time in the evenings. We went to one of the most swanky bars I have ever been to on the shore of the Han River and we took a cruise on the river. A lot of fun.

These past four days have been filled with amazing experiences. I am so glad to have gotten back to this great city again.

Casey

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun (or Heavy Rain), Kaizen and Amazing Toilettes

Konichiwa,

Well, the first leg of our four city Asia Trip is almost over and I have determined that Tokyo is one amazing town!!! My first impression of Tokyo and the Japanese culture was: clean, quiet and incredibly polite! For example, the most frequented subway station in the world is Shinjuku. On average, 2 million people transfer through this station every day. I was there during rush hour (8pm) and there were no cigarette buts on the ground, the only noise you heard was the low hum of thousands of people walking through like water flowing from tributaries to a river and every person I made eye contact with or spoke to went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. Incredible!

Our program began with two lectures about managing international teams from the Japanese perspective and about the Toyota manufacturing system of Kaizen. Kaizen means continual improvement and elimination of non value adding waste. This leads to JIT (Just in Time) or Lean manufacturing. (We learned about all these concepts in the Global Operations Class last term). Then, we went to Hino Truck factory and saw all these concepts in action. Hino also had some sci-fi like welding and supply stocking Robots that can see and sense/react to tact time or the speed of production. I was waiting to see Terminator.

We also toured a Kewpei factory. Kewpei is the most famous mayonnaise brand in Japan, and believe me the Japanese love their mayonnaise. It was fascinating. We saw everything from a machine that cracks and separates 600 eggs/minute to how a Japanese company has become 100% carbon neutral by implementing a closed loop system. The Mayo, by the way, is delicious and since I've seen this factory I am confident that it is probably the most sanitary mass produced food item in the world.

During our free time, our only Japanese student, Masaaki, generously took us around the town to eat Sushi at the Tokyo Fish Market, walk through the most famous Buddhist temples in Tokyo and to see the Imperial Palace. We also had a grand night at Izakaya (a restaurant where you have two hours of all you can drink and eat for a $20 USD), then KARAOKE! I also had a chance to network with the Tokyo Chapter of Net Impact an environmental business group where I met and exchanged business cards with Japanese employees of Toshiba and Kawasaki.

Fabulous Experiences

1. The Japanese Toilette: warm seat, bidet, automatic deodorizer...ohh so nice!
2. Food: Sushi Train = $9 USD for 10 plates of Sushi, Ramen Noodle = Broth that has been fermenting for 3 days, Red Bean Paste Dumplings (SWEET), and yes...raw beef and horse meat. (BTW, sometimes you just have to eat it before you know what it is. Horse meat texture is like elk and it tastes a bit like beef...pretty good)
3. Shopping: OH SO MUCH! I found many stores that have eco-friendly products!
4. Arcade Photo Booths: You all know the photo booths in the mall that you can get Polaroid pictures at... well imagine that but as a timed game where you can edit the pictures as you take them and in a room which holds 20 people.
5. Disney Tokyo: Truly the most friendliest place IN THE WORLD!

I would like to give a special Arigato Gozaimasu to all of the MIM students who speak Japanese and showed the rest of us a wonderful time!

Next stop is Seoul, so I'll say Sayonara for now.

Casey

Finals Week

Finals week is almost over...YAY!! I have really enjoyed my classes this term and am a bit sad they are over, but happy to move on. Just to give you an idea, my schedule this term was:

Tuesday: Chinese 10:15-11:30am, Global IT Management 12:30-5pm, Global Sustainability, Ecology and Business 5:30pm-10pm

Wednesday: Chinese 10:15-11:30am

Thursday: Chinese 10:15-11:30am, International Operations Management 5:30-10pm

Friday: Chinese 10:15-11:30am

I also had two Intercultural Communications classes and two Age of the Pacific Lectures spread out throughout the term.

The MIM program is definitely a time commitment. Sometimes it seams that getting everything done will be impossible, but it all comes together in the end. I think that the closeness of the cohort, your classmates, really help you get through the crunch times and succeed in all of your tasks.

Well, two more finals left for me(Chinese and Operations)then off to Asia! I better start studying!

Casey

Crunch Time

Wow, only one and a half weeks left until we go on the Asia Trip! Life is getting a little crazy trying to study for finals, finish papers and projects, get ready to be gone for a month and packing one 50lb bag for 3 weeks!! It will be a nice feeling when we are on the plane and all these items are checked off the list.

The Asia Trip is a very unique aspect of the MIM program. It is a 3 week long adventure, where full time and 2nd year part time students visit Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai. Along with cultural experiences we get to visit various businesses and factories, meet with international business leaders in each city and have specialized lectures about doing business in Asia.

This year we will be visitng:

Hino Motor Company, Tokyo
Kewpei Corporation, Tokyo
Hyundai Motor, Seoul
Twinhead International Corporation, Shanghai
Sunrex Technology Corporation, Shanghai
Wistron Corporation, Shanghai

It is going to be a great trip and I am really excited to experience these wonderful opportunities! Jack and I will definitely keep you posted.

Casey

MIM Fun

The MIM program isn't all just about studying hard and building skills to become a top manager in today's international business arena. We also have some fun too.

Here are a few great links to pictures and videos of fantastic MIM events this year!

ENJOY!!!!!!!

MIM Camping Trip

MIM Chinese New Year Celebration

Chinese New Year Celebration Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8020CKlBmc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhVEohE4wRw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU7rewz0kE0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LQ82Q7PhHw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx1py0wHsYo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k8gg1v64YY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs1Lqy04dlA

ASK MIM: All you need to know about the Masters of International Management Program

Hey All,

Are you interested in joining the MIM program? Want to learn more?

It was not long ago that we started the process of researching and selecting a graduate program to prepare us to meet the challenges in the new global economy.

There are so many reasons why the MIM program is such a great opportunity. First and foremost, we strongly feel that the curriculum in the program is as good as any other in the nation. Our professors are experienced and dynamic. Many of our classmates are international students, providing all of us with a diverse leaning environment. The foreign language training reflects the international aspect of this program. To cap it all off, we get to travel to Asia for a three week field study. This program has challenged us in every aspect and the results are rewarding. We are continually learning invaluable skills for our future careers in International Business.

As full time students, we feel very closely connected to our cohort, our program, and faculty members. We would like to invite you to speak with us about any questions you may have about the program. Let us share our exciting experiences with you. There are several ways to get a hold of us.

Feel free to:

Email us at ASKMIM@pdx.edu,

Chat with us on Facebook, or

Check us out on the MIM Blog


The Master of International Management program is definitely the right choice for us and the skills we are gaining through classes, teamwork and cultural understandings will continue to open doors for us throughout the rest of our lives. We hope to hear from you soon!

Cheers,

Jack & Casey

Jack Chiu and Casey Cleary
Master of International Management Degree Candidates 2009
Portland State University