LC Business Education

An alumnus’ story.

“As a former BSBA student who once stood where you are now, I can confidently say that educational tours are not just academic activities, they are investments in perspective, preparedness, and professional growth.”

Although I was not part of the recent educational tour held in Cebu City last December 3–5, 2025, seeing the photos, hearing the stories, and listening to the reflections of the current BSBA students brought back vivid memories of my own educational tours during my time as a student. Those earlier field trips, similar in purpose and structure, remain among the most formative experiences of my college life, and they allow me to fully appreciate the significance of this event.

As a former BSBA student who once joined similar academic tours, I understand that these experiences are not simply itineraries filled with destinations. They are carefully designed learning journeys that extend education beyond lectures and textbooks, offering students an opportunity to see theory come alive.

Learning by Observation: Benchmarking Through a Graduate’s Lens

During my time as a student, educational tours introduced me to the concept of benchmarking, a practice I only truly appreciated after graduation. This is why the recent visits of BSBA students to leading institutions such as University of San Carlos and University of Cebu resonate strongly with me.

Benchmarking visits allow students to observe how excellence is built through systems, culture, and long-term planning. As an alumnus now exposed to real organizational environments, I can say with confidence that early exposure to high-performing institutions helps students develop a mindset focused on quality, accountability, and continuous improvement, values that are indispensable in today’s competitive business landscape.

Bridging Classroom Learning and Industry Reality

Company visits are often the most impactful part of educational tours. When I joined similar trips in the past, these experiences clarified how concepts discussed in operations management, marketing, finance, and human resource management intersect in real workplaces. The same value holds true for the current batch of students who visited companies in Cebu City.

From a graduate’s perspective, I now realize that such early exposure reduces the shock many new professionals experience upon entering the workforce. Educational tours introduce students to organizational discipline, professional communication, and decision-making dynamics, skills that cannot be fully captured by exams alone.

Culture, History, and Business Context

Educational tours also nurture cultural awareness. Visits to heritage sites such as Magellan’s Cross and Casa Gorordo Museum remind students that businesses operate within broader historical and social contexts.

As a former student, I only fully understood this lesson later in my career. Culture influences leadership styles, consumer behavior, branding, and organizational values. Exposure to heritage sites during educational tours plants this awareness early, helping future managers develop sensitivity to diversity and local identity.

Lessons That Last Beyond Graduation

Looking back, the educational tours I joined as a student shaped my professional outlook more than I initially realized. They sharpened my ability to observe systems, ask relevant questions, and adapt to unfamiliar environments. More importantly, they taught me confidence; the ability to engage with professionals, interpret organizational practices, and relate confirms theory to real-world situations.

Seeing today’s BSBA students embark on their Cebu City educational tour affirms my belief that learning does not end at the classroom door. These experiences accelerate maturity, strengthen career direction, and instill a lifelong appreciation for experiential learning.

A Message to Today’s BSBA Students

To the students, you may not immediately realize the depth of its impact. But years from now, as you step into leadership roles and professional environments, you will find yourself recalling those visits, conversations, and observations.

As a former BSBA student who once stood where you are now, I can confidently say that educational tours are not just academic activities, they are investments in perspective, preparedness, and professional growth.