Destination CitiesSingapore, Luang Prabang, Vientiane
Course TitleSingapore’s Economic Growth Trajectory: Lessons for Laos?
Course ThemesThe purpose of this GIX is to explore economic, political, and cultural development in Singapore and Laos. Since Singapore’s independence from Britain in the 1959 and Laos’s independence from France in 1953, each country has experienced a distinct and divergent development trajectory. Singapore now has one of the world’s highest GDP per capita at $53,000 and ranks #1 in the Ease of Doing Business report. Laos has a GDP per capita of only $2353, is ranked #141 in the Ease of Doing Business Report, and remains a socialist republic, but is currently ranked the 5th fastest growing economy in the world. These countries offer a range of learning opportunities from how to stimulate economic growth and manage transformation, to the impact of leadership in both the public and private sectors. This GIX also focuses on each country’s historical antecedents giving rise to the economic, political, and social structures and the key local and global forces that are likely to affect the future development of Singapore and Laos. We will also discuss the role of Buddhism in Laos particularly given that it is a communist state.
Global Insight Expeditions (GIXs) are faculty-led global immersion courses. They typically last eight to 10 days and provide opportunities to interact in a meaningful way with local businesses, nonprofits, government officials, and entrepreneurs.
GIXs are part of TuckGO in which students choose from a portfolio of immersive global courses that provide them with the skills and knowledge to successfully navigate diverse business environments.