As I reflect on my study abroad trip, I am so thankful for the new perspectives and experiences I gained. After visiting 7 counties in May, I have learned a lot. I would say that from visiting several businesses and experiencing the overall day-to-day, I learned that most cultures are not as openly social as in America. Part of our class required us to interview a local in each place we visited, and all the people I interviewed stated the same thing about their culture’s sociability. In America, small talk and getting to know new people are much more normal than in Europe. People described the cultures as being more formal, which I now understand after visiting. I had expected this to come off as rude, but after experiencing it, I realize it’s just different. Going into the trip, I was worried about the language barrier in places like Germany, France, and Austria, but I was amazed by how many people knew not only English, but 3 plus languages. I went into the trip scared that people would be frustrated at me not knowing their language, but people were patient and kind. I also went into the trip with the initial impression that tourists were disliked by locals, but this proved to be inaccurate. In each place we went, I heard from people that they enjoyed the enthusiasm and interest that visitors showed in getting to know their country. I also found myself surprisingly interested in the foreign currencies we used while abroad. It was interesting to see the value differences to American dollars and also the differences in tangible currency itself. Being around so many different cultures made me much more appreciative of history and traditions. I feel as though I am now more likely to seek out new cultural experiences in my everyday life. Overall, the trip taught me so much and helped me grow into a more culturally aware and appreciative person. It taught me communication skills and patience, and made me a better person overall.
