Working Abroad

Despite all appearances, I am actually working. Granted it is a pretty sweet gig.  I love working abroad because it is a great way to see a country in action. I end up in non-tourist places with locals telling you about their family, their education background, their jobs.  Since we are here talking about business in class, you also get into all kinds of conversations about taxes, regulations, partnerships which might be boring at home, but has a whole new appeal because it is common ground to compare cultures.  In the end, it turns out we all have some similar challenges - access to money, government regulations, competition for resources.    I was looking out the window while the participants were working on an assignment.  We are at a new hotel with villas being developed around the grounds.  The houses are big, like ours, have a few Asian characteristics, but not many, new roads and gardens.  There was a group playing soccer on the road, Nike gear on, same moves you would see at home.  And then two ladies on loaded up bikes peddle by wearing their cone rice hats.  Yep similar, but still different. From what I've heard so far, the challenges here are well beyond what many Canadian businesses will ever experience.

Peggy, me, Francois, TamAnh, Luu

SWOT analysis in Vietnamese

Fortunately there is still time to play after work.  We went for supper at a spectacular resort in Da Nang.  There are miles of white sand beaches, and along with it, miles of over-the-top luxury resorts.  Since foreign ownership is not allowed, these resorts are mostly likely built with some questionably obtained funds. I will avoid all trigger words since the government still monitors websites.  I guess they have their own version of the 1%. 

At this particular resort, they make ice ream right at your table using fresh cream, ingredients of your choice and then liquid nitrogen.  Since I picked Toblerone, my ingredients included Belgian Chocolate, Honeywafers and Frangelico. 

The result was no less than spectacular.  Take that Cold Stone Creamery.