Prior to my time abroad, I had a few preconceived ideas of what business abroad would look like. I had learned about the economy of Greece beforehand, but it was so much more different than I expected. I expected to see issues with communication and maybe even issues with local communities resisting other migrant businesses, but it was the exact opposite. The culture in Athens is incredibly community-based and accepting of other cultures. As I worked with Fekerte (an Ethiopian migrant business owner), I saw how passionate she was about her culture. I learned that she has many local customers who are interested in exploring and learning about different cultures. It was incredibly comforting to see and hear that. I also did not see many communication issues, as almost everyone we met spoke fluent Greek.
I felt incredibly inspired after seeing how passionate and driven all the business owners were. It was so moving to hear everyone’s stories and form connections with them. Although they all seemed to be completely different, it was easy to find similarities and create bonds after asking just a few simple questions and learning about them. For example, during the past Brigade client meetings, we met a lady named Edith. As she shared her story, I was moved to tears. She went through so many obstacles to get to where she is today, and she radiated joy and happiness. She gave us so much valuable advice that I will always carry with me.
I think my biggest change in perspective came when I saw Fekerte (our client) cry tears of happiness as we presented our final deliverable. It was so eye-opening to see how much of a difference we can make in someone’s life in just three days. It was so rewarding to see how happy and excited she was. I hope to continue helping people in any way I can and bring a positive impact to the world!
