My first stop on this study abroad was London, and right away, I was struck by how vibrant and dynamic the city feels. It’s beautiful and full of character, with a mix of modern life and deep rooted history. Like in the U.S. people are constantly on the move, rushing somewhere with purpose- but there’s also this strong sense of individuality. Everyone’s doing their own thing, and no one seems to be too concerned with others are doing.
One of the biggest cultural differences I’ve noticed so far is how casual restaurant service is here. The staff are kind but the experience is more hands off. You usually have to take initiative to get seated, ask for the check, or follow up. I was also surprised that they ask for allergies right away-it’s part of their routine. In the U.S. it’s up to the customer to bring that up.
Something else that stood out the me was how casually people use their car horns. In America, honking often feels personal or aggressive, but here’s it’s just a normal form of communication on the road. People don’t seem to take offense to it.
Through this global experience, I hope to continue making these types of observations and grow my understanding of how culture shapes everyday interactions and business practices. I want to develop my marketing knowledge in a more hands on, global way, and learn how to adapt my skills for real world use. Most of all, I hope to leave with a deeper appreciation for how other cultures live, work, and communicate.
I’m having such a great time already and I’m excited to see how much I’ll learn and grow over the next 4 weeks!
