Spending time abroad gave me such an incredible firsthand look at how business operations differ in other countries, as well as how culture shapes that business. From the first day, I began to notice the many different cultural differences that Italy and the United States share. One major aspect to business in Italy is that relationships and trust are at the heart of doing business. Before even speaking about business during meetings, they will begin with personal and meaningful conversations. I also saw that there was a strong sense of community in every workplace we visited and that it seemed like a family. I have really come to appreciate how much more effective and meaningful business can be when its foundation is human connection and relationship, rather than strictly business. We worked with several local businesses that took pride in tradition, craftsmanship, and sustainability, even when it meant giving up some profit. This initially surprised me and made me rethink what long-term success really looks like. One of the businesses that we visited specifically said that he did not want to grow profit, just grow sustainability. This was really impactful to see because it is so different from the United States, where most people are focused on profit. As well, many small business owners weren’t after expansion, but they wanted to preserve their tradition and legacy, focusing on quality, and build meaningful relationships with loyal customers. That kind of business operation changed my perspective on how I want to approach my own career. I definitely want to implement the relational part of Italian culture into my future career. This trip not only expanded my understanding of international business, but also helped me grow personally in so many ways. I now view cultural differences as helpful and impactful, not as barriers.
