I have never been outside of the United States before, so I had no idea what to expect coming on this trip. Our first stop was London, and I immediately noticed many differences in this city compared to the United States. An obvious one being the fact that they drive on the left side of the road with the driver’s seat on the left side of the car. Although I knew this about London, I didn’t realize that they also walk on the left side of the sidewalk and up the stairs. I also noticed that most people seem to be in a hurry to get where they are going, making them more unapproachable in public settings. They don’t seem to have the hospitality that America, and especially Texas, is known for having. I was also surprised that London does not have the best food. I expected London to have great food since it is in Europe, but I actually like the food in America better. My favorite thing about London was all of the historical landmarks and sights to see. I have always heard of the Big Ben and Westminster Abbey before and seen pictures of them, but it was a whole different experience getting to see them in person and learn about the history from locals. We also got to visit multiple British companies and hear how they do their business everyday. For example, we got to tour the marketing agency, Design Bridge and Partners, and I was surprised to notice that it was very similar to companies in America. Their office space was very open with large tables instead of cubicles to create a collaborative environment. They also prioritize relationships within the company by hosting get togethers and activities to bond with colleagues. This mix of work with fun is something I have seen with companies I have visited and recruited with in America. It was also interesting to hear about the global aspect in business and how they work with companies in the United States. The biggest thing I want to gain from this experience is learning about the unique culture in each country by being immersed in it. I hope to continue to see the differences between how locals operate day to day compared to Americans and how I can apply my experience to my future career in the business world. I am excited to go to the remaining 6 counties and further my global knowledge.
