The first week spent abroad took place in London and ended with us arriving in Paris. While in London we got to visit numerous businesses and have many cultural experiences that were incredible. My first impression of the businesses was that they were all very impressive despite how different they all were. We visited Design Bridge & Partners, Chelsea Football Club, and Lloyd’s of London. Design Bridge & Partners is an advertising company that aims to redefine what design is and how companies can use it by implementing strategy. It was amazing to look around the office and hear from a former Aggie who now works at Design Bridge & Partners in London. The next company we visited was Chelsea Football Club, which I am certain will be one of my favorite visits throughout the entire trip. Our tour guide, Scott Freedman, showed us around the entire stadium while explaining the football club’s history. We got to see the pitch, locker rooms, and press room which were all so interesting and fun to step foot in. While we didn’t get to walk on the pitch, it was incredible to see how much work is put into maintaining it and I gained a new appreciation for the sport that we Americans call soccer. Finally, we visited Lloyd’s of London which is an insurance market. We learned about how Lloyd’s was once a coffee shop where sea captains would come to spread their knowledge on the waters which eventually transformed into the leading insurance market it is today. The building and business itself were the most impressive ones we have seen yet. So far I have loved London and am looking forward to all the other countries and cities we will visit on this trip. Having been to London before, I knew it was pretty nice and offered lots of fun shopping and cultural experiences. In our week here I have toured Parliament, went on a bike tour to see the majority of London, and saw two musicals. These experiences have been unforgettable and I am excited to share them with my family and friends when I get home! I am hoping that through this trip I gain a greater understanding of cultural differences between these countries and the United States. Learning more about what the cultural norms look like in other countries will help me become more open and receptive to different ideas or even obstacles I may face when working with people from different cultures and backgrounds. This can be helpful not only in the business world but also in my personal life if I choose to go abroad again. It’s important that I learn the norms now so that I can be respectful and look like a little less of a tourist when I come back in the future! So far the trip has been splendid and I am hopeful that the rest of the trip will be just as enjoyable and informative.
