Honestly, I was very surprised by the business culture in Italy. This study abroad trip is my first time coming to Europe, so I really had no idea what to expect. I learned from the lectures that the business culture in Italy is much more family-oriented than it is in the United States. Italians will prioritize their family over work in every circumstance, and gaining a personal relationship with other peers in the workplace is also very important to them. I also learned that there is a huge difference between northern and southern Italy’s business environments. Northern Italy is more similar to the U.S. in that it is more industrialized than Southern Italy, and people are not as laid back or as flexible as they are in the South. From the company visits, I learned that these local small businesses are very passionate about their craft and want others to value it as much as they do. It is not just about making financial profit but also about impacting and educating other people about their work, while also making a difference in the environment. Here in Italy, the personal connection and relationship between people in the workplace is so important, whereas it is not so much in the United States. There is a saying in the U.S. that goes “it’s not personal, it’s just business”. That is said in situations where people are betrayed by people they thought were their friends in the workplace. I just feel like that would not happen here in Italy because people are much more hesitant to agree to work with you without having some connection first. Throughout this program, I hope to develop skills like adaptability through this consulting project, professional communication skills with business owners, and obtain a better global mindset that is more sensitive to cultural norms in different countries.
