In the biting winter chill of mid-December, 18 students from the UCR School of Business embarked on a journey that bridged thousands of years of history with the cutting-edge of global finance. For six days, undergraduate and graduate students completed the program’s 10th visit to China, an intensive academic residency designed to pull back the curtain on the world’s second-largest economy.
The Political Heart: Beijing
The immersion began in Beijing, China’s sprawling political and cultural epicenter. While the mercury dipped, the academic schedule heated up at the International Business School at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Students dove into lectures detailing the complexities of navigating China’s unique institutional landscape. “China was a surreal experience for me as a first-generation student,” says Jessica Covarrubias ’26. “Faculty-led programs create a unique space to build meaningful connections with forward-thinking students who strive to grow professionally and personally.”
Between lectures, the group traversed the symbolic landmarks that define the Chinese identity. They walked Tiananmen Square, explored the Forbidden City, and marveled at the architecture of the Temple of Heaven and the Olympic Stadium Complex. The Beijing leg concluded at the Great Wall, where the scale of the ancient fortification served as a powerful metaphor for China’s historical continuity.
Chasing the Future: The High-Speed Pivot
The transition from China’s past to its future was felt physically as the group boarded a high-speed train. Rocketing south at 200 miles per hour, the students watched the landscape transform as they moved toward Shanghai, the nation’s gleaming financial engine. The students’ experience was highlighted by a boardroom briefing at the summit of the Citigroup Tower in Pudong, gaining direct insights into multinational strategy and leadership from the individuals steering the market.
The professional deep-dive continued at the American Chamber of Commerce, where a focused lecture on the evolving Chinese economy challenged students to think critically about global trade dynamics. “Attending the Global Programs Intensive in China has been a highlight of my time at UCR,” says Jack Stone ’27. “The program struck a perfect balance between academics, culture, and industry, giving me insight into the Chinese market.”
The journey concluded with a night cruise along the Huangpu River, where the neon-lit skyline of the Bund reflected off the water—a vivid display of China’s rapid economic metamorphosis.
By engaging directly with both the ancient foundations and the modern ambitions of China, these 18 students have returned with a sophisticated, experiential understanding of global business that will define their future careers.