Traveling to seven different countries has changed my perspective on the world. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to compare differences in cultures consecutively and realize how interconnected the EU is. I also feel like I’ve gained a better understanding of history, as I’ve learned a lot from visiting sites such as the Pont Du Gard that have been there for centuries. You quickly realize how young America is!
Through visiting multiple companies along the trip such as L’Occitane, BMW, and Lloyd’s of London, I’ve learned that there are many ways of conducting business due to different cultural norms. For instance, in Germany, I feel like they have a more direct tone and are more serious when communicating. However, in London, I saw a bit more humor in the way they conduct business. When we visited Design Bridge + Partners, a branding agency, they showed us a campaign they ran highlighting testicular cancer awareness with a kiwi company. Both of these styles of conducting business are slightly different from the American way. I feel like Americans are somewhat direct, similar to Germans, but are more positive when communicating.
I feel that my initial impressions were mostly accurate. For instance, the stereotype that they dress better in Europe is pretty much true. Many Americans, including myself, throw something on like a t-shirt and shorts, to run errands. However, when you go to a grocery store in Paris or Munich, there isn’t anyone wearing pajamas. Everyone’s dress is slightly more elevated than typical American wear.
Because I’ve had this experience, I feel that I will be better prepared for the workplace when working on diverse teams. I also feel that I’ve become more resilient due to being completely out of my comfort zone. I’ve learned a lot by navigating through foreign countries where I didn’t even speak the native language. Overall, I’m ecstatic that I had this opportunity abroad and I urge everyone to travel abroad and think about business on a global scale.
