Thirteen Korean students, led by Professor HunJoo Park and Mr. Kang Sung-Mook of Academic and Student Affairs, made their way to the United States from August 18th to 26th as a part of the International Field Research and Study Program. This annual affair presents a unique opportunity to experience business and government in action, and to directly interact with corporate or public policy leaders to learn about best examples of international practices. This trip consisted of lectures from renowned business academics and practitioners, tours to the University of California, San Diego, and Stanford University in conjunction with company visits to Hewlett-Packard, Betterplace Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, and Hynix Semiconductor for America, to name just a few. Lee Byung Sun (2010 MPP) was impressed by new business models and green innovation at Silicon Valley, highlighted by the “Silicon Valley 5.0" lecture given by professor Marguerite Gong Hancock from Stanford University. He also picked up some ideas at the “California Center for Sustainable Energy” in San Diego on how to apply cuttingedge green technologies to the development of sustainable tourism. The center was established for promoting recent developments in renewable energy sources. “I find this trip very rewarding and helpful in prepping me for my further studies at the Graduate School of Urban Planning at Rutgers University, starting from this December.” Lee has worked for Korea Tourism Organization for eighteen years. He was mainly in charge of overseas marketing, specializing in Russian market in particular, due to his three-year work experience at Moscow office. His latest position was deputy director at the audit bureau. Bang Joong Kwon (2010 MPP)’s favorite lecture was the one given by Miles Kahler at University of California, San Diego. Kahler’s interesting views stirred up a hot discussion during the Q&A session. “Kahler argues that even though Asian countries’ economic power has been increasing, they are unlikely to challenge the current global governance because the current system has been helpful for Asian development.”When asked about an unforgettable moment during the trip, he said it was seeing the vast, productive agricultural fields in California. “Why can’t excess produce be properly distributed on the global level to eliminate starvation in some countries?” He inqires. A million dollar question indeed. Bang is an economist at the Bank of Korea where he works on several papers that support decisions of the Monetary Policy Committee.

By Janet Chin Shuk Henn (2009 MBA, Malaysia)