I am about six days into my abroad program and not only have I had the most amazing time buying to the experience of a new culture, but I have also developed observations on the similarities and differences of England versus the United States. My initial impression of London was that the city was huge and, honestly, a bit more similar to the United States than I had expected. The main language here is English, which adds to the familiarity. Alternatively, we spent some time in Oxford, England, the home of Oxford University. This town was a bit more of a culture shock as it was surprisingly small and extremely dated. It seems every building is full of rich history, and it was so cool to learn, even though only the surface was scratched.
First of all, I am surprised by the speed at which I was able to get new elements down in a new place, such as transportation and currency. The London Tube was overwhelming and confusing at first, but by the second or third day, I was getting the routes down and recognizing streets all across town. And, today, I am confident in my ability to navigate the tube or busy London streets independently. I also quickly caught on to a different currency and how to manage exchange rates in my head. It’s fun to grasp these practices because, in some ways, it has allowed me to feel more immersed in the different culture here.
I have also noticed many differences in culture, including fashion, manners, diet/drinking habits, and pace of life. While Americans have their distinct style, we also have our ideas of the way other countries dress. I had many ideas of what the locals would dress like, but quickly realized that I was wrong. Fashion in London consists mainly of neutral colors, baggy pants, baggy outerwear, and mixed textures/styles. It hasn’t been exactly like the classic European style you tend to see in popular culture. When it comes to manners, I noticed that the locals seemed caught off guard by my frequent “thank yous,” “yes ma’ams,” and “no sirs.” While the people here are generally kind, they tend to be less intentional with their words. They aren’t as quick to offer compliments or share kind words. They also have less awareness of personal space, and I found myself in many situations where the person would hover until I got over instead of saying “excuse me.” Additionally, I’ve observed that Europeans like to drink a lot of alcohol, and it is appropriate most times of most days of the week. It is common at any social event and often takes the place of water at meals. Last, I have found the pace of life here to be just a little bit slower. Locals seem to be a little bit less worried about racing around, taking time to lie down in parks, or journaling outside of a coffee shop.
I have also gained valuable knowledge surrounding businesses that operate internationally and what it looks like to have worldwide reach. Some of the companies that we have heard from are located all over the world and have reach in so many different markets. We are learning how to navigate global business and find success within. It has also been so interesting to learn about industries such as the insurance brokerage business that Lloyd’s of London is a part of because I didn’t have much prior knowledge, but now realize the reaching effects of a business like this.
From this program, I hope to gain the confidence to navigate any new culture. I hope to leave this experience with a strong ability to adapt and problem solve in completely unfamiliar situations. I can already see these traits starting to building as we speak to different companies within these cities and apply what we have learned through our class assignments.
