Snapshot
Dates
| Term | Application Deadline | Confirmation Deadline | Program Start | Program End |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2027 | February 1, 2027 | February 14, 2027 | Tentative May 10, 2027 | Tentative May 28, 2027 |
About the Program
Program Overview
Bridging Borders: Exploring International Supply Chain in Japan and South Korea invites students to experience global business where it happens: in the cities, companies, ports, markets, transit systems, and cultural spaces that shape Asia’s role in the world economy. Throughout the program, students will travel through Japan and South Korea, using dynamic cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Seoul, and Daejeon as living classrooms for understanding how products, people, technology, policy, and culture move across borders.
What makes this program especially meaningful is the way it connects professional learning with immersive travel. Students will not simply read about international supply chains; they will see how global business is shaped by culture, geography, infrastructure, policy, and relationships. A discussion about transportation may be followed by a ride through one of the world’s most efficient urban transit systems. A lesson on consumer behavior may become more vivid while exploring a market, neighborhood, or shopping district. A conversation about global competition may take on new meaning after visiting a company, hearing from an industry leader, or comparing business practices across countries.
Academically, the program introduces key topics in international supply chain management and global business strategy, including global sourcing, logistics, operations, innovation, sustainability, risk management, cultural intelligence, and the role of economic policy in shaping international trade. Students will learn through seminars, guest speakers, site visits, reflection, discussion, and direct observation. The course is especially valuable for students preparing for careers in business, supply chain and operations management, marketing, finance, international studies, data analytics, entrepreneurship, or any field where global awareness and adaptability are essential.
By the end of the program, students will return with more than photos and travel memories. They will gain a stronger understanding of how international supply chains function, how businesses operate across cultures, and how Japan and South Korea continue to shape the global economy. They will also build confidence navigating unfamiliar environments, asking better questions, making cross-cultural connections, and seeing business challenges from a broader perspective. Bridging Borders is an opportunity to expand your classroom, your career vision, and your sense of what is possible in the global marketplace.
Program Highlights
- Explore global supply chains in action by visiting Japan and South Korea, two of Asia’s most influential economies and major hubs for technology, manufacturing, logistics, innovation, and international trade.
- Use cities as living classrooms in Japan and South Korea, where students will connect course concepts to real-world examples in transportation systems, business districts, markets, cultural sites, and urban infrastructure.
- Learn directly from global business environments through site visits, guest speakers, academic seminars, and guided observation of how companies and organizations manage sourcing, operations, logistics, risk, and cross-border relationships.
- Compare business practices across countries by examining how Japanese and Korean firms approach quality, efficiency, innovation, customer service, sustainability, technology adoption, and global competitiveness.
- Experience culture as part of business learning through excursions to historic landmarks, neighborhoods, markets, and cultural attractions that reveal how history, values, communication styles, and consumer behavior shape international business.
- Build career-ready global skills including cultural intelligence, adaptability, professional curiosity, and the ability to analyze business challenges from multiple international perspectives.
Academics
Prerequisites:
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Students may participate in study abroad anytime after freshman year (or completing 24 college credits post completion of high school). Note: Students may apply to a program during freshman year but must have completed freshman year in good standing to participate in the program.
Bridging Borders: Exploring International Supply Chain in Japan & Korea (ILSA 4479/5479), 3 credits
Dive into the heart of Asia with our transformative summer study program in Japan and South Korea focused on International Supply Chain Management. This journey will take you from the bustling urban centers of Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul to culturally rich locales, providing unparalleled insights into the intricate workings of global supply chains, strategic business operations, and the impact of economic policies. Our curriculum blends academic rigor with practical experiences—from corporate visits to cultural excursions—preparing you for success in an interconnected world.
Course Topics:
- Academic Seminars: Explore the fundamentals and advanced concepts of international supply chains and global business strategies.
- Guest Talks: Hear from industry leaders on supply chain innovations and international market trends.
- Corporate Visits: Gain firsthand exposure to leading supply chain operations and strategic business practices.
- Cultural Excursions: Visit historical landmarks and cultural sites that illustrate the
modern and traditional aspects of Japan and South Korea. - Interactive Workshops: Participate in sessions on cross-cultural communication and collaborative problem-solving.
This course is approved to count for:
- LSBE upper division International requirement
- Liberal Education: Global Perspectives Category
Cost Information
Use this cost estimate to help calculate expenses and budget for your study abroad program. This includes all program fees billed to your UMD student account and necessary out-of-pocket expenses. Please note that cost estimates and fees may change depending on international economic factors. We will post final fees once enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined in order to provide the most accurate pricing. We strive to post final fees by October 1 for Winter and Spring programs, March 1 for May/Summer programs, and May 1 for Fall and Academic Year programs. This cost does not include the $50 application fee.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Scholarships are Available!
- Financial aid applies! Share the cost estimate with One Stop Student Services to understand how your financial aid can contribute to your study abroad program.
- Note: Credits taken on study abroad programs cannot be used toward the Bulldog Bundle.
Travel Documents
Get a passport right on campus! Processing times vary, but it can take several weeks to a few months to receive one. If you already have a passport, make sure its expiration date goes at least 6 months beyond the end date of your program so it's valid the entire time you're abroad.
Contact
Program Instructors
Wenqing Zhang, PhD is an Associate Professor of Production and Operations Management in the Labovitz School of Business and Economics at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His teaching and research focus on supply chain management, responsible operations, analytics, machine learning, optimization, and decision-making. He is passionate about helping students connect classroom concepts to real-world global business practices through experiential learning, company visits, and cross-cultural engagement. Through this program, Dr. Zhang guides students in exploring how Japan and South Korea shape international supply chains, technology, and global business strategy.
UMD Labovitz School of Business and Economics
Dept. of Operations and Supply Chain Management
365Q LSBE
218-726-6276
[email protected]
Study Abroad Instructor-Led Program Coordinator
Apply
Before you click on the "Start my application" button below, make sure you know how to identify the correct program by searching for the:
- Program Name: UMD - Instructor-Led: Bridging Borders: Exploring International Supply Chain - May Session;
and the - Term (e.g. May 2027)
A $50 non-refundable application fee will be billed to your One Stop account upon submission of an application.
After you apply
- After approximately 20 minutes, you will see checklist items for you to complete.
- All application checklist items need to be submitted by the application deadline which is noted near the top of the page.
- Your UMD Program Contact will review your application materials.
- You must complete the Confirmation of Participation form to confirm your participation.
- Once we receive your confirmation, your UMD account will be billed a confirmation deposit.
If you decide you cannot participate, you must log in to the online application system and submit the "Cancellation Request form."
Program health and safety information
is available at GO SAFE.
