The Europe Marketing Study Abroad Program has been nothing short of incredible. From the moment we stepped off the plane and into the United Kingdom, we have been immersed in culture, learning rich history, visiting world-renowned business, and making last relationships. Our faculty have created a seamless experience, strategically managing 80 students in a foreign city. I have been so impressed by the organization and professionalism that I have experienced in London thus far.
Our first week in London has opened my eyes to so much about this historical city. I have noticed significant differences between the United Kingdom and the United States after only a week. The first main difference is the public transportation system. London is connected by an underground railway that runs through the entire city. This is known as the Tube. The Tube reiterates a culture of connectivity that is found throughout London. Each borough is united through this system just as London is united by its shared history, architecture, and resilience through many tragedies.
Another cultural difference is the emphasis on work-life balance. People working in the financial district could be seen catching up outside of a pub on their lunch break. This is much more relaxed than the corporate culture in America where cafeterias are often built inside office buildings to minimize leisure time. The last cultural difference I noticed is the rigid dedication to tradition that is prevalent in London. After fires burned the city down multiple times, London was built back up using the same original foundations. Even though the stacked and crowded building system made the city more prone to wide spread fires, they honored tradition and kept their architecture the same. Another example of this is the attire of public and government officials. The guards at Buckingham palace have worn the exact same uniform since they originated in the mid 1800’s. Despite the discomfort and expense of the uniforms, they have not changed due to the tendency in London to adhere to tradition. Even at the Lloyd’s of London—a renowned modern marketplace—stewards record losses of insured cargo using the same massive book and calligraphy technique that they used in 1871. This is far from the rapidly innovative culture that we experience in the U.S. States and companies are constantly looking for ways to modernize, improve their systems, and make changes that will increase efficiency.
Through this incredible program, I hope to gain even deeper insights into the international business cultures of different countries. I believe that this exposure will help develop me into a more dynamic team member and employee. I look forward to the next countries we will visit, and the continuous comparisons I will make between different social norms and cultures.
