Throughout my time abroad, I learned invaluable lessons regarding international business and European cultures. This program provided numerous different business visits including L’Occitane, Sergei Alighieri Winery, Riedel Glass, and the Swiss Paraplegic Center. All of these visits allowed the students to learn more about the rich history and values of these very different companies. I really enjoyed having the opportunity of touring a wide variety of companies as it provided me with a better understanding of international business as a whole. During the L’Occitane visit, I thought it was interesting that they valued having high quality ingredients that were locally sourced. This really proves the high quality of their brand which gains and retains many supportive customers. This can be seen as different from the United States as some companies here look for the best deal for their bottom line, despite the quality. Additionally, while we toured the Sergei Alighieri Winery, we learned that it was a family owned business for multiple generations. This was also something that could be seen as a cultural difference as many businesses in the United States do not stay in the family for many generations. Another thing I really enjoyed about the program was the requirement to interview a local from every city we visited. This was very eye opening as we were able to meet people and talk to them about their jobs, education, sports, political views, and favorite foods. It also gave us the ability to ask them questions and answer any questions that they had for us. Overall, my time abroad has definitely opened my eyes to many different cultures and how they affect business. I think that my initial impressions were pretty accurate as I came on the trip with a very open mind. The Europe Marketing Study Abroad was such a great experience and provided me with so much knowledge that would not be possible to learn within a classroom.
