This past summer, Tyler Boyer (Phi/North Dakota State 2016), participated in a faculty led program called Business and Culture in China. The course included a 13-day study abroad in China.
“I am a construction management major with a minor in business, so it is really hard for me to find a study abroad program that offers field of course work abroad,” said Boyer. “One day last spring, in my Marketing class, a man came in and introduced this study abroad program in China that took place right before the school semester started. I thought it would be perfect. I wouldn’t have to miss working during the summer, and I could take a course towards my business minor,” he said.
Once in China, the group toured businesses in the cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Xi’an.
“It was exciting to me to tour Black and Veatch,” said Boyer. “They are in my field of study which is construction. I was really excited to learn about how they are making a big impact in the global spectrum. It was also great to learn about the different locations of projects and offices they have around the world,” he continued.
“We also visited Abercrombie and Fitch which was mainly a tour of a department store, and we visited Emerson. I really enjoyed that visit. The gentleman giving the presentation made it personable. He talked about his company and about the differences in the U.S. and China,” he said.
Was there any time for sightseeing?
“We were traveling the whole time, so everywhere we went was an adventure,” said Boyer. “My favorite place was climbing the Great Wall. Many people can say they have done that. Some maybe took a chair lift up, but I actually walked up the staircase to the Great Wall,” he added.
Did you eat anything unusual while you were there?
“At first I didn’t, but then I started to develop the idea ‘When in China’… so I started to be more adventurous and started to try different things. I tried duck balls, pickled jelly fish, deep fried squid, deep fried octopus tentacles, fried lamb, fried crab and potato noodles,” said Boyer. “I think the most unusual food was the pickled jelly fish, and it was really rubbery,” he added. “Typical meals in China consist of a noodle or rice dish with different types of protein – chicken, beef, duck or fish. It is very common for the food to be served on a rotating plate, and it’s a community plate meaning instead of passing the food around it was rotated on the plate and you took what you wanted using your chop sticks,” Boyer explained.
So what was it like being in a Communist Country?
“It was different,” said Boyd. “There are a lot of restrictions in China. When our tour guides were talking, you could tell when we asked certain questions that they didn’t feel comfortable answering. It made me appreciate not having to worry about that,” he said.
Is there something about the study abroad that you will never forget?
“The world is a lot different outside of the U.S.A.,” said Boyer. “I won’t forget how different other cultures are compared to ours. Not just in China, but in other countries around the world,” he added.
Would you recommend a study abroad experience to your Theta Chi brothers?
“I would for sure recommend a study abroad experience to my Theta Chi brothers,” said Boyer. “I think it’s a great experience that not everyone takes advantage of,” he concluded.