In June of 2024, the Max S. Baucus Institute took 15 students from Montana State University and the University of Montana to China. U.S. former Ambassador to China Max Baucus and his wife Melodee Hanes also attended the trip.
During the 11-day trip the students visited Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, engaging in people-to-people diplomacy and cultural exchanges.
During their time in Hong Kong from June 8 to 12, the students attended the “CUSEF 15” event, exchanging ideas on cross-cultural learning and collaboration. They also visited Tai O fishing village, Hong Kong Palace Museum, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) , Hong Kong Stock Exchange and South China Morning Post. The students also met with Ricky Yu, Founder of Light Be, a non-profit social enterprise supporting the impoverished households, especially the youth and families with children.
In Shanghai, the students visited Starbucks Reserve Roastery, China's Instagram-like Xiaohongshu and EV company NIO.
In Beijing, the students met with Ambassador Nicholas Burns at the U.S. Embassy. They also visited China Securities Regulatory Commission, Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University, and China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People.
