As we finish up our third week here in Barcelona, I feel that I have a greater understanding of not only this city and country, but also that of different cultures and foreign countries as well. In addition, our classes and activities have given me an inside perspective on how businesses operate here, which has been very interesting. From our International Environment of Business class, I have learned that one of the most important aspects of international business is culture. We have learned that culture is the reason why many businesses either thrive or fail in an international environment, and that the products, marketing, management, and more all must adapt when a business moves or is started in a different country. Furthermore, it has been very interesting to see what we have learned in class with real examples in the businesses we have visited. One of the most intriguing examples to me was when we visited the Damm Brewery, one of the largest breweries in Spain. When we visited, we learned about the origins of the company and the story of its founder, August Küntzmann Damm. In the 1800s, beer was not a very popular drink in Spain or the Mediterranean region, and Damm wanted to introduce it to the area. However, he brought the recipes for beer from Northern Europe, which created darker, heavier beers that didn’t suit the taste of the people in the Mediterranean, so it wouldn’t have become popular. Realizing this, Damm decided to change his recipe to be brewed partly with rice which created a beer that lighter taste without lowering the alcohol content. This new type of lighter beer appealed to the people of this region, and was nicknamed the Mediterranean Beer. I found this to be a great example of how businesses must adapt to the culture of the countries they spread to.
I am starting to also become a lot more familiar with Barcelona, as we have had more time to explore and see the pros and cons of this city compared to back home. One thing I have found that I don’t like as much or find to be an inconvenience is the lack of selection at grocery stores. Overall, stores are much smaller here than back in the U.S., which is likely due to less space. Here, there are usually only one or two different brands or options for all products, but in American stores it seems like there are a million different choices and aisles are filled with different brands and alternatives. Also, I have been inconvenienced by the fact that many businesses close for a few hours in the afternoon and then reopen again in the evening, and I have had to wait. On the other hand, there are many things I am really enjoying here, such as the beautiful weather and nice beaches, as well as the fact that the city is very walkable with good public transportation.
Overall, I am still liking this city a lot and appreciate the new experiences everyday. With only one more week here, I find myself starting to miss some parts about home but not wanting to leave at the same time. A month abroad sounded like a long time, but now that these last three weeks seem to have flown by, it doesn’t feel long enough. With the great time I have had here, I know I will return to Barcelona someday.
