These first few days studying abroad have been nothing short of amazing! I am attending the Faculty-led Europe Marketing Study Abroad Program. I have enjoyed getting to know the fellow students studying abroad with me. I am making great connections that I will have long after my college years end! I appreciate the planning and coordinating that took place to ensure our program is organized, and we can experience as much as possible in each location. Our first stops were Oxford and London in England! Oxford was filled with buildings and people, as fellow tourists were abundant! The construction of Oxford is more built up than out, meaning each building has three to four stories rather than being spread out and condensed to one floor. Oxford also has a rich history with many of its buildings, and even roads, that were constructed many years ago and haven’t changed since being built. After Oxford, we traveled to London. I noticed more similarities between London and America. London was very busy and seemingly had more of a sense of urgency, reminding me of Downtown Houston. Store owners were always friendly and interested in hearing about our day. Likewise, there were bakeries on practically every corner serving fresh pastries! London was filled with hard-working entrepreneurs who tended their own shops. I had the opportunity to speak with several people who lived in London. They were very friendly and interested to learn that I was studying abroad and attended Texas A&M University! We arrived in Paris, France, today. Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person was a surreal experience. It is hard to put into words how amazing it is to see such monumental sights and learn the history of such a beautiful city. From this experience abroad, I hope to gain more professional and communication skills. Furthermore, I hope to encounter a wider understanding of different cultures around the world. These experiences I pursue over this next month will be invaluable and will prepare me for success in the workforce. I am very appreciative of this opportunity and look forward to the rest of my time here in Europe!
