Howdy! This trip has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I would do over and over again given the opportunity! On the first half of the trip, we visited Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria, which were all so beautiful and interesting to see how the business dynamics not only differed from the United States, but also from each other. On the second half of the study abroad trip, we travelled to several more countries, including Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. During these country visits, we were allowed to meet with a few businesses and learn more about how they operated, and to see their cultures through their churches and history.
In Piran, Slovenia, we arrived to see an old car show/race taking place. It was so cool to see how many people gathered to watch the cars and how the cars differed from those in the U.S.. We then went to visit the church and climb the bell tower. The coastal views of the Adriatic Sea were spectacular, and the church was beautiful and filled with so much history.
Next, we went to Rovinj, Croatia, where we toured their local market, ate at a sea-facing restaurant, and walked the colorful cobblestone streets. Their local market was similar to a farmers market back in the U.S., which was cool to see that both places have similar features. The market showcased lots of fresh fruits, highlighting the importance of agriculture in the area.
We then went to a variety of cities all around Italy that each had something new and interesting to bring to the table. One in particular is in Cremona, Italy, where we visited a violin maker and got to learn how they make violins, cellos, and a few other instruments by hand. We learned about their prices and how they take orders. However, the violin shop we visited included only a father and son with no plans to expand. Larger profits and expansion, while possible because there is a demand, were not a concern for them. They also did not use marketing strategies because they said “everyone knows who they are and what they produce.” This is a different mindset from most companies in the U.S., where earning a higher profit is the most important goal. This concept was also similarly shown at a gondola-making company in Venice, Italy.
Overall, this trip was such an amazing experience that I will forever be thankful for! I met so many amazing people and gained so many new memories that I will never forget! My time abroad has changed my perspective on how some businesses are run and what their focus is. My initial impressions have slightly shifted because I now see that all of the countries have their own personalities when it comes to businesses and their motivations, but overall, I am still in amazement at the beauty and history surrounding each place we were able to visit. Thank you!
