Kim Esser landed in Singapore for the USC Marshall Learning about International Commerce (LINC) program. She will provide instructional support during the 10-day program, which exposes first-year USC students to Singapore's vibrant business culture as the culmination of a spring semester course about global business.
It's Sunday morning in Singapore --this is how our trip has progressed so far:
On Friday, May 15, 55 freshman, 2 faculty (Carl Voigt and Stacy Geck) and 2 support staff, all from the Marshall School of Business, departed LAX for the LINC (Learning About International Commerce) program trip.
The flight was uneventful, until we viewed the glossy rice paddies surrounding Narita Airport before our layover in Tokyo. That tranquility was quickly dispersed as we waited on the tarmac, watching Japanese health authorities board the plane in full protective gear (masks, googles, gloves, suits) scanning all passengers with temperature reading equipment to detect swine flu. The students were amazed, then quickly whipped out their cameras to document the event. We all cleared that process, then went inside the terminal, passed through security again, and embarked on another plane.
We landed at Singapore at 1:15 a.m. and immediately noticed the heat and humidity. This morning, we can see the Singapore River from our hotel and are in the heart of the city. Today the adventure really begins!