The Impact of the Global Logistics Experience
The Global Logistics Experience at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business (HSB) is transforming how students engage with international business by taking Supply Chain Management majors out of the classroom and into the global marketplace. This study abroad program allows students to connect academic theory with real-world applications in various international contexts.
Exploring Southeast Asia: Lessons in Singapore and Indonesia
Led by Hannah Stolze, PhD, the William E. Crenshaw Chair of Supply Chain Management, last year’s program traveled to Singapore and Indonesia – two countries offering vastly different logistical challenges and economic structures. In Singapore, students observed a highly developed service economy known for its efficient trade and finance sectors. In contrast, Indonesia presented a more complex environment shaped by a resource-rich landscape, agricultural roots and a growing manufacturing base.
“The experience was eye-opening regarding cultural distance and the complexity of doing business in island-based logistics,” Stolze said. “Seeing things like intermodal shipping – motorbike to truck to boat to plane – as an everyday necessity was invaluable.”
Students witnessed this firsthand during visits to warehouses operated by both local Indonesian firms and multinational corporations. While core operations were similar to what they had studied in the classroom, the nuances in leadership styles, infrastructure and corporate culture gave them a deeper understanding of how geography and local practices influence logistics.
One particularly insightful visit took students to Hypermart, a major Indonesian supermarket chain. There, students learned how supply chain forecasting is crucial in managing demand surges around local holidays. For current Supply Chain Management senior Hailey Vogt, these real-world examples brought classroom concepts to life.
“I wanted to step outside the ‘Baylor Bubble’ and see firsthand how supply chains begin. Understanding cross-cultural communication is essential in today’s business environment,” Vogt said.
During their trip, students also participated in a hands-on sales and operations planning project for Telunas Resorts, a remote Indonesian eco-resort. This hands-on opportunity illustrated the challenges of sourcing goods in a geographically fragmented region.
“This project really shaped my understanding of global supply chains,” said current Supply Chain Management senior Cole Friedman. “Helping the resort manage sourcing of products over water by small boat was quite the task. Unpredictable seas could delay products for up to two weeks, which showed us the logistical challenges of working in such environments.”
Stolze further highlighted the importance of these experiences in preparing students for a shifting global trade landscape.
“With trade shifting away from China, Southeast Asia is poised to become a key trade partner for the U.S,” she said. “Trips like these help our students understand the evolving nature of global supply chains.”
Looking Ahead: A New Perspective in Latin America
In the upcoming year, the program will travel to Latin America with Blaine McCormick, PhD, an associate professor in the Department of Management. Students will start in Panama and work their way back up to the Port of Houston. This change in location offers a fresh perspective on global logistics, placing students at key trade intersections closer to home.
“A significant difference this year is the more direct impact on U.S. trade,” McCormick said. “We will spend time at the U.S.-Mexico border talking with stakeholders on the front line of trade into and out of the United States. We are also now in an environment with tariffs and trade negotiations that simply did not exist in early January 2024.”
Students will also have the unique opportunity to travel the full length of the Panama Canal, gaining insight into one of the world’s most critical trade routes. Discussions on alternative shipping routes, such as Arctic passageways, will challenge students to think innovatively about the future of global trade.
“This program allows students to compare and contrast across countries,” McCormick said. “For example, students who traveled to the Port of Singapore might be shocked by the lower level of automation at the Port of Houston. Future trips may focus on high volume and highly automated ports in Northern Europe like Rotterdam and Antwerp. Comparing logistics capacity across countries makes for a great education. Further, meeting local officials and citizens in Panama and Costa Rica humanizes the cross-country experience in wonderful ways.”
Making This Opportunity Possible
This transformative experience would not be possible without donor support, particularly from scholarships like the Daniel H. Heard Endowed Fund for Supply Chain Management
that have made it financially feasible for students to participate in this learning opportunity.
“I work in the McBride Center and heard early about the Heard Fund, which made this the cheapest study abroad at Baylor for me,” Friedman said. “The scholarship provided me with the opportunity to learn in ways that a classroom simply can’t replicate.”
McCormick emphasized the broader value of the program, expressing his hope that it will give students a deeper understanding of global trade.
“I hope students gain a deeper appreciation for how free trade benefits both nations involved,” McCormick said. “Seeing firsthand how supply chains function in different environments is a powerful learning experience.”
As HSB continues to develop global business leaders, the Global Logistics Experience shows the importance and the impact of experiential learning on our students. By supporting this program, donors are investing in the future of supply chain management and empowering students to become well-rounded, globally minded professionals.
To learn more about how you can be a part of this experience or support study abroad opportunities like the Global Logistics Experience, click here.
