Howdy! My name is Ethan Evans and I’ve just wrapped up my first week abroad in Europe. We have already spent 5 days in London and just finished our first full day in Paris. So far, our program has been very structured (which I thoroughly enjoy) and we’ve had little to no downtime during the day. All of my classmates on the trip have been very kind, curious, and respectful of the locals that we have interacted with.
When we first arrived in London, I noticed an overlap between the United Kingdom and the United States. While I’ve never been to New York City, London seems to have a lot in common with the Big Apple. On almost every block, I saw fast food chains that are American staples, like Five Guys, KFC, and Popeyes. The population in the city is very diverse and many languages can be heard spoken on the streets. Although many things seemed the same, the city life in London differs heavily from the city life in College Station. Almost all people in London rely on the train system, called the Tube, to travel within and outside the city. According to one of our tour guides, 10 percent or fewer residents own a car. Also, it was a significant adjustment to learn how to walk and ride bikes on the left side of the road.
Throughout our trip, we will be visiting different businesses across various industries. So far, we have toured Design Bridge and Partners, Chelsea Football Club, and Lloyd’s of London. Through these tours, I’ve gained valuable insight into European business and how companies navigate cultural differences and unite clients and customers with their output. I’ve also noticed how work-life balance is prioritized much more in Europe than in the United States. Meghan Claridge, a Mays graduate and current employee at Design Bridge and Partners, mentioned the significant length of her paternity leave after the birth of her second child. We also witnessed Lloyd’s of London employees taking long and leisurely lunch breaks during our tour, which differs heavily from the fast-paced work environment we see in America.
Overall, I’ve truly enjoyed my experience in Europe so far. This week has been one of the most action-packed and exciting weeks of my life, and I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the cultures of the countries that we visit next!
