My first week in London with the Europe Marketing program through Texas A&M Mays Business School has been a fantastic experience. This is my first time out of the country, and I’m so grateful for the chance to explore a new culture that I may not have been able to do without this program. I’ve been able to visit iconic places like Oxford, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, London Bridge, and Parliament. So say London is beautiful is an understatement. I’ve biked around the city and across its bridges, attended a service at Hilltop Church, and toured both the Chelsea Football Club and professional offices like Lloyd’s of London and Design Bridge and Partners. What’s stood out the most is how much history is built into everyday life here. Every building seems to tell a different story, whether it is from hundreds of years ago or not, and the locals seem proud of their heritage. I’ve enjoyed meeting people and seeing what daily life looks like for them. Their perspective has helped me appreciate not just their culture, but also reflect more on my own. Culturally, I’ve noticed a few large differences. People walk and take public transportation far more than in most U.S. cities. The Tube system is incredibly efficient, and biking is common too. I’ve also noticed that stores charge for paper and plastic bags, which encourages you to carry reusable ones. I can see that this is more sufficient, due to the lack of trash lying around. Through this experience, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of business around the world and what it means to work within different cultures. I also want to grow personally by learning to adapt, connect, and appreciate new perspectives. Being here has already helped me recognize how many opportunities I’ve been given, and I’m excited to continue learning and growing through the rest of this journey.
