With our trip to Athens, Greece concluded, I have reflected on just how much I learned, not only about international business, but about people, culture, and migrant and refugee populations. From the beginning, it was so interesting to me how ancient ruins and modern life come together in the city, and that first impression remained throughout the program. What changed was how I came to understand the stories behind the people and businesses we encountered.
One of the most eye-opening parts of the Greece GBB program was learning about the role of refugees and migrants in the local economy. We met entrepreneurs who, despite the challenges they have faced, have built businesses from the ground up. Their resilience was incredibly inspiring. I realized that in America, we often think of refugees as people in need of aid, but rarely highlight them as business owners and contributors to the economy.
Talking with business owners in Athens, especially my client Fekerte, taught me that success looks different around the world. In Greece, relationships and trust are central to conducting business. People value getting to know each other, the community around them, and building genuine connections while conducting business. In contrast, American business culture can feel more transactional and fast-paced. One of my favorite moments was getting to see the community that Fekerte has created in Greece. She had to open her coffee shop because people stayed too late in her mini market talking!
My initial impressions of Greek culture being more communal and conversational were spot-on, but I didn’t anticipate just how much this carries over into the business world. This experience has changed the way I view global business as something that requires cultural awareness – which does not just apply to the country you are in, but also where the other person is from.
