A productive day in Seoul exploring cultural sites and other venues for a possible UMaine Business School MBA student trip. Developed valuable insights and useful information for planning purposes through a detailed reconnaissance mission and in meetings with Korean contacts. We will finish the exercise tomorrow before departing for Japan and our final week of vacation. Looking forward to our return to Kyoto.

After a busy day of meetings, Keiko and I took the time this evening to tour one of Seoul’s primary shopping districst and scout out another local place to eat.

On tonight’s radar was a dumpling restaurant of some fame in the bustling Myengdong district and we were not disappointed. With only four menu items (2 dumpling dishes and 2 noodle items), the service was fast and simple. With local crowds lined up for tables, it was not a place to idle after dinner. The food was most enjoyable and ice water was the only beverage available … a very welcomed drink if you overindulged in the Korean hot sauces.

Tomorrow will be spent on a further scouting mission for the potential MBA trip (with some private and public sector meetings; hotel visits, and related items) and then off to the Namdaemum Market and Itaewon shopping area – obvious must see sites for the MBA trip.

Tomorrow’s dinning adventure is in the process of negotiation. Actually, I would like to head back to the barbeque alley!

Today was spent with administrators and faculty from Sogang University discussing a potential student exchange relationship with UMaine and Maine Business School. Based on my visit, I am most confident that UMaine students would have a great experience at Sogang.

Dr. Young Song, the school’s Vice President for International Affairs, and Jin ok Ahn, responsible for relations with US schools, outlined a very flexible approach that should meet UMaine requirements.

I also meet with the Dean of the Sogang Business School, Dr. Kyung-Kyu Park, and Associate Dean Gwangheon Hong. They are very interested in having the business school lead the way in developing a cooperative relationship at both under-graduate and graduate levels. Sogang Business School recently received AACSB accreditation and offers 33% of its courses in English. Their new US$10 million building was very impressive!

Also on the agenda was a discussion of potential support for a UMaine MBS MBA international trip to Korea. Without question, Sogang resources could provide valuable assistance in the planning and implementation of a trip, ranging from local business contacts, logistical support, student-faculty engagement, and other critical in-country resources. Based on my outline of a possible May 2011 trip, Dr. Song and Ms. Ahn agreed that they could support my work in the development of the trip.

An additional issue raised during the meetings was a possible opportunity for me to offer a course during either a regular or summer semester. I plan to pursue this matter i the coming months.

Keiko strikes again in the food department. Across the street from our hotel is one of the oldest and most famous Korean barbeque establishments in the city. Finding the small back alley entrance was part of the fun. Joining a very local crowd (no tourists in sight), we feasted on great pork dishes and required refreshments. I suspect it may take weeks for the smoke and garlic to vent itself from my system!

We arrived in Seoul this afternoon and I am looking forward to meeting with representative of Sogang University tomorrow and also devoting time to planning a potential MBS-MBA (and/or under-graduate trip) with appointments on Friday and Saturday before returning to Tokyo.

Seoul is a great city and I have fond memories from my time here in 2002 during the FIFA World Cup. There is no doubt that a business and cultural trip to Korea would be a valuable experience. On my list are company visits would be Hyundai, Samsung, LG, FILA, the SK Group and the Shinhan Bank. Positive feedback on all counts thus far. Of course, coming this far it would seem to make sense to also include a visit to Japan. Perhaps by the time the date rolls around, the US$ will be stronger and allow for the experience to fit into our plans, or the Japan leg could be incremental for those who could afford the experience.