Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, and now that I’m actually living it, the experience has opened my eyes tremendously. Within the first few days we visited Switzerland (Zürich and Lucerne), Liechtenstein, and Austria (Innsbruck). Within each country, we learned about Europe’s cultures, traditions, food, business practices, and much more.
My first impression of these beautiful countries was “Wow”. With each country offering different scenic views and cultural traditions, I was amazed at the natural beauty and European lifestyle. Switzerland had a beautiful river that ran through the city and I loved the cities’ cleanliness, welcoming attitude, and strong sense of history/culture. Our visit to Austria provided a deeper look of the city life in Europe and I was amazed by the colorful buildings and scenic backdrop of the snowy mountains. Our stop in Liechtenstein was quick, but we hiked up a mountain and got to see the gorgeous view of the small, tight-knit country where the locals know each other like family. As far as business in Europe, the working environment of each business visited seemed very tranquil and easygoing.
I’ve already learned so much from this experience so far and still have much more to do in Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy. Through this, I hope to gain a better understanding of European culture and build connections with the locals and other students in my program. I also want to understand more about business in Europe and how this compares and relies on business from the U.S.
One of the biggest differences I noticed between Europe and the U.S is the way locals live. Their lifestyle is very easygoing and they spend their free time among each other over a coffee or an authentic meal. Even shops often close earlier, encouraging more balance between work and rest. Their main way of getting here to there is walking, biking, or taking the public train. Locals are also conscious about the environment and want to keep the city clean and safe.
I’ve already gained so much from this experience and can’t wait to learn more. I’m so grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to travel and open my eyes to different parts of the world!