Students traveled across Vietnam, China, Hong Kong and South Korea to learn about entrepreneurship, sourcing and international trade firsthand
Brigham Young University–Hawaii students traveled across four Asian countries in April 2026 as part of a 13-day Asia Sourcing Entrepreneurship Experience, gaining firsthand insight into global business, manufacturing and international trade.
Vina Sariah Peralta, a senior studying accounting and political science from the Philippines, said the experience of visiting more than 20 companies across Vietnam, China, Hong Kong and South Korea showed her how business concepts are applied in real industries.
One of Peralta’s biggest takeaways is that success requires more than just a strong product, she said. “Business growth is far more complex than simply having a good product.” It demands market research, legal compliance, regulatory awareness, and strong relationship-building.”
Reflecting on her background of family-run businesses in the Philippines, Peralta said the experience helped answer questions she has had since childhood. “Seeing both the successes and challenges made me curious about what allows some businesses to grow while others struggle,” she said. She concluded that meeting CEOs reshaped her view of leadership saying, “humility, generosity, and a genuine commitment to people.”
Buyan-Ochir Khandsuren, a junior from Mongolia studying supply chain and finance, said the trip expanded his understanding of sourcing and international business in Asia. “This trip was incredible. It helped me to open my eyes and understand how sourcing works in Asia,” Khandsuren said. After visiting factories that manufactured facial care products, molds, mopeds and motorcycles, Khandsuren said he learned that producing products is only part of running a successful business. Other crucial aspects are how to sell them to customers and how to interact with them, he continued.
Khandsuren said one experience that stood out was visiting a supplement factory in China that manages everything from raw materials and research and development to consumer sales. He said the company also created interactive entertainment spaces to educate customers about the products and their benefits. Talking directly with company executives also changed his understanding of the industry, he said. “It gave me a chance to understand their mission and also to advertise myself,” Khandsuren said, adding the meetings allowed students to build international networks and professional connections.
Khandsuren said he was surprised by the level of automation and innovation in many Asian businesses. “Chinese factories are not factories anymore, they’re more advanced and do everything perfectly, mostly automated,” he said. He added that businesses in South Korea focused heavily on developing and researching new products. Khandsuren added the experience taught him the importance of cultural understanding and relationship-building. “I learned from this trip about how to respect other cultures and how they operate businesses,” he said.
Mahealani Hunter, a senior finance major from Tahiti, said the trip was both educational and personally meaningful. “At the beginning, I was excited but also a little nervous because I did not know what to expect,” she said. As the trip continued, Hunter stated she became more comfortable and more confident. She expressed her enjoyment discovering new countries, cultures and ways of doing business throughout the experience. She added that the trip also gave her a broader perspective on opportunities that could benefit her home island in the future. “I come from Tahiti, so I could see many opportunities that could be useful for my island,” she said.