Howdy!
Although I have only spent a week on this trip, it is safe to say that this experience has and will continue to change my life. I enjoy the balance between company visits and cultural experiences. I truly believe that is the best way to learn more about each country. Although the historical and cultural sites hold major significance to each country, learning about how different businesses and corporations operate also reveals unique things about each country’s culture. I also enjoy the requirement of interacting with locals through interviewing them. So far, I have only interacted with locals in London in that capacity, so I am eager to try out new languages while learning more about each local’s perspective on both their country and the American culture.
So far, I have been to London and I have noticed some major similarities and differences between the US and English culture. First, London’s public transportation system is much more efficient than that of the US. Not only that, but the etiquette on the Tube is also very different. Although I have pretty much lived all my life in the Dallas metroplex, I have had the chance to visit cities like New York City and Chicago, both of which have vital public transportation systems that keep the city moving, similar to London. However, the behavior of the other patrons of the Tube were quiet and respectful of personal space, something that I find rare in the Subway and The L. Another difference that stood out to me was the lack of taxing in the prices. In the US, I know that the price tag is not always going to be the final price I end up paying when I go to check out, but in London, all of the price tags displayed the final price. I am not sure if this means that taxes and such are already factored into the price or not, but it was something that shocked me initially.
Overall, as this trip continues, I hope to not only learn more about different cultures and places, but also learn more about myself and exercise soft skills that I know will translate very well into my future career.
