During the summer break in August 2026, the Department of Business Administration at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (YunTech) organized a 14-day overseas study program in Seattle. Led by Department Chair Professor Ming-Chang Huang and Associate Professor Chia-Jung Lee, the program brought together 18 master’s and doctoral students. The program featured visits to internationally renowned companies, academic exchanges, and cultural experiences, and concluded successfully after 14 days of intensive learning and exploration.

Academic Exchanges and Corporate Visits

The program began with a tour of downtown Seattle, followed by a visit to the Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University. The students engaged in in-depth discussions with Professor Cohen and Dean Turner on topics including job interviews, social issues, and international politics. The group also visited the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business, where renowned scholar Professor Xiao-Ping Chen introduced Costco’s operational strategies and corporate culture and governance, providing students with valuable insights into the company’s management practices. Together, these academic exchanges demonstrated the value of cross-cultural learning and interaction.

The corporate visits included some of the world’s leading companies, including Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft, T-Mobile, and Costco. The group also visited the Seattle flagship store of Taiwan-based 85°C Bakery Café. Due to venue constraints, 85°C arranged for the company presentation to take place in a meeting room at a hotel near the flagship store, followed by an on-site tour of the store’s bakery and beverage operations.

At Amazon, students participated in a panel discussion and visited The Spheres. At Boeing, they toured the factory and observed the 777 production line. During the visits to Microsoft and T-Mobile, students actively engaged with company representatives and raised questions, demonstrating strong enthusiasm for learning. On the final day, the group visited Costco’s headquarters, where John, an Assistant Vice President, personally explained the layout of Costco stores and shared the company’s operating strategies and criteria for opening new locations, giving students a deeper understanding of the company’s business model.

Cultural Experiences and International Perspectives

In addition to corporate visits, the program featured a wide range of cultural experiences. Students visited Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, Magnuson Park, Snoqualmie Falls, the German-inspired town of Leavenworth, and Mount Rainier National Park, gaining firsthand exposure to the region’s natural landscapes and local culture.

The group also attended a Major League Baseball game featuring the Seattle Mariners and the Philadelphia Phillies. The game featured a total of six home runs, creating an exciting atmosphere and providing students with an opportunity to experience American sports culture firsthand.

The group also visited the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle, where Director-General Lin and Deputy Consul Chen invited Taiwanese entrepreneurs based in the United States to meet with the students. Through discussions ranging from international trade and business management to entrepreneurship, students gained valuable firsthand perspectives from business professionals. Director-General Lin also reminded students of the impact that the “weaponization of trade” can have on businesses amid growing geopolitical risks.

Learning Outcomes and Future Outlook

The program integrated academic exchange, corporate visits, and cultural experiences, enabling students to learn in an international setting and broaden their global perspectives. Through interactions with U.S. companies, academic institutions, and local communities, students not only strengthened their professional knowledge but also developed cross-cultural communication skills—one of the core values of overseas experiential learning.

The 2026 Seattle Overseas Study Program has now concluded successfully. The YunTech Department of Business Administration will continue to promote international exchange and provide students with opportunities to engage with global business environments, contributing to the development of management professionals equipped with the knowledge and capabilities needed to compete in an increasingly interconnected world.