The first word that comes to mind when I think of an initial impression of being abroad is wow. I truly feel so blessed to be on this faculty-led trip, to get to become friends with new, motivated A&M students, and to explore these new cities and countries in a safe, planned, and adventurous way. So far, we have visited London, UK for about five days and we are now exploring Paris, France. My favorite memory from London was our Lloyd’s of London because I was absolutely fascinated by both the building and work environment that is cultivated there. My favorite memory from Paris has been the Seine River Cruise because the view of the Eiffel Tower at sunset while sitting next to my friends was a moment I will cherish forever. This global business program seems to be planned extremely thoroughly. It is apparent that these hotels are strategically chosen so that we are close to train stations and even businesses that we will visit. The staff members know exactly what they are doing, they are good at giving clear instructions, and they have been very helpful with each of our questions. I am very impressed with the opportunities and things that we have been able to visit and see so far, and I am excited to continue exploring with this program. Each of the members selected to travel on this trip are unique and amazing in their own way, and our group is able to stick to our predetermined schedules and interact in a cohesive way. From this experience, I hope to gain overall experience in terms of both business and the world, and leadership skills through navigating in unknown territories, problem solving, and consistently thinking on my feet here. While we often dive deep into the business strategies of US companies through Mays, I hope to dive deeper into the strategies used by international businesses and to learn how they might use different approaches or have different ideas. I hope to gain lasting friendships with new people, and I hope to make memories that will last a lifetime. As far as cultural differences, I noticed that cars drive on the left in London compared to the right in the US. I noticed that there are not many trash cans in public in Europe, trains are a huge mode of transportation for them, and the London streets are far less crowded due to their increase in Tube buses and desire to limit pollution from car emissions. Finally, in Europe, I noticed that drivers are way more aggressive and less patient, but also the people are kind and more willing to help a stranger. I am so excited to continue this trip and thankful for my experience abroad already!
