Tonight, four weeks after taking off for Frankfurt, the dust has finally settled on my journey abroad with Texas A&M. When I began this program in Strasbourg, I was nervous of getting lost and not being able to keep up with the pace of a new culture. The biggest change I’ve seen in myself is my newfound confidence in foreign environments. Even though we’re free to go home, I’ve decided to stay two extra days in Paris on my own. I’m assured in my ability to navigate the metro, ask locals questions, and be open to new experiences. This level of enthusiasm is my biggest takeaway about conducting business with others in another host country. No matter what the context is, I will always be able to control my enthusiasm in myself and what I am there to accomplish. This understanding supports my original impression of what would be the most difficult part of the Strasbourg program. Without knowing French, it could become tiring to ask person after person if they spoke English. However, this drive is what will help me succeed during a transfer or management position in a foreign office.
Overall, my perspective on France has changed in many small ways. Before leaving, I heard France emphasized leisure more than the US. While I saw this in many ways, France also moves at a pace I’m not used to; whether it was store hours or the speed of people at a museum, efficiency was shown more in day-to-day stops instead of social situations. I was also surprised by how much crossover there was between western and French culture. Besides the language barrier, I was struck by how similar fashion was between the US and France. I also saw a lot of the same ads, businesses, and even restaurants. This observation is a comforting reminder that, if I ever have to move countries, there will always be cultural bridges to make the transition easier.
