Studying abroad through the Center of International Business Studies has been a dream come true thus far! Had I been told I would be halfway across the globe learning about the different trades of businesses in foreign countries a year ago, I would have laughed and said that’s not something I’d do. I thought it would be difficult, financially impossible, and mentally exhausting. I would have never been so wrong. Being on this program has been the time of my life. From the moment I arrived to the airport, the staff leaders, my peers, and myself have yet to have a bad experience. We’ve had energetic morning meetings, insightful company visits, and fun events in our free time. As my family’s designated trip-planner, I cannot thank Dr. Mac, Dr. Dan, Professor Phinney, Professor Lewis, and Hannah Cole for all of the work they’ve put into this. While I find it hard to coordinate just a few items over a few days, they have helped run a smooth and effective study abroad. Europe can be challenging, such as the language barrier in France, but by the end of this trip, I hope to be able to understand both the business and culture of our European counterparts.
As already observed within my first week, I have noticed many cultural differences between our countries. For one, our ideology of “convenience” being vital in decisions isn’t similarly practiced here. Where quick, easy to make items can be a necessity, Europe strays away from this in terms of their architecture. While Britain chooses to keep to the history and keep as many Victorian-style homes and buildings, America is hooked on modern and up-to-date. The same can be said for their infrastructure. Here in Europe, it is almost unlikely to find a street made of asphalt. In most cases, cobblestones have remained in place from the very day they were placed. In America, however, the importance of speed and convenience have removed these to make room for highways and toll-roads.
This trip has been a dream come true to this point. I cannot wait to see what else it has in store.
