Look at the following photo, what looks familiar to you about it? What looks different? Where do you think this photo might have been taken?

Source: 136804089, Jason Cartwright Flickr.

If you said it looks like a sign in a Starbucks Coffee shop, you would be right. It is somewhat easy to make out the English writing of the various coffee drinks, but the characters to the right of the coffee drinks are in symbols. This photo was taken in Japan.

Why would Starbucks Coffee, a U.S. based company, have a store in Tokyo, Japan? How does this help explain globalization?

To further examine Starbucks' global impact, watch the following video about Starbucks and its connection to the farmers in Rwanda.

Not sure where Rwanda is? Interactive popup. Assistance may be required.

Click here to learn more about this African country.

Rwanda is a small African country that gained its independence from Belgium in 1962. Since this time Rwanda has experienced civil unrest and genocide. Rwanda had its first post-genocide presidential and legislative election in 2003 and has since experienced more peace in its nation.

Source: Rwandan Hillside, Central Intelligence Agency

Source: Political Outline map of Africa, Central Intelligence Agency

Source: Rwanda, Central Intelligence Agency

While watching the video, look for evidence of globalization and interdependence.

Answer the following questions about the video in your notes:

1. How will the collaboration between the coffee farmers of Rwanda and Starbucks improve both the quality of the coffee it produces and the quality of life of the Rwandans?
2. The collaboration between Starbucks and the Rwandan coffee farmers will increase globalization. Explain how globalization will increase using examples from the video.
3. Is there evidence of interdependence in this video? Provide examples to support your answer.