After spending the last four weeks studying abroad in Florence, Italy, creating friendships and making memories that will last me a lifetime, I can confidently say this program has changed me for the better. I had no idea how limited my knowledge of Italy and, overall, global leadership was until I was able to immerse myself in the rich culture it has to offer. One way that I was able to develop my global mindset was through the A&M faculty-led business visits that our program took to the Wine Vinyard in Ferrazzano and the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, Italy. These experiences showed me how Italians go about conducting business, whether they are family-owned, small businesses or international, large-scale companies. However, I felt as though the day-to-day interactions I had with local businesses, such as restaurants and clothing stores, were the most beneficial in the growth of my global leadership skills. I found myself adapting to the challenges that came with being in a foreign country, specifically the language barrier, and being more innovative in the way that I educated myself regarding the Italian culture. I had not expected most Italians to be so welcoming and understanding when I struggled to communicate, but it was evident that they appreciated my efforts in using their language when I could. During my first time attempting to order gelato in Italian, the man behind the counter would answer me in both Italian and English to encourage me to continue learning and exercising the language. It was the small, pleasant surprises like these that changed my perspective on the people and customs of Italy. Overall, I learned a lot about the Italian culture, as well as the ways I navigate global differences, and believe myself to be an improved global leader thanks to my study abroad program.
