After being home for a few days and reflecting on the trip I realized I learned a lot about myself. After going to Spain and learning about many things such as Barcelona’s strong economy and different political systems, I reflect on what I believe to be true about America. I didn’t realize this before our trip but I tend to believe the way Americas government lets the economy run and the way the people in America live is the best way to live. I find after this trip that a lot of these beliefs are being challenged.
I had many cool experiences on this trip. I watched Spain win the Euro Cup in a park filled with 1,000 Spaniards and I watched David Guetta and Calvin Harris perform in 2 different shows on the same night. I went to a lot of places and did a lot of incredible things meeting people from all over the world. Something I have found to be consistent with everyone is the pride they have in their country. I think this was best shown in the soccer game I attended my first week. I thought Americans loved football until I realized how much Spanish people love soccer. People shot flares, chanted songs, and in all were more vested in a game than anyone I have ever seen. I thought it was crazy. Then I watched someone shoot a flare in front of a police officer as the officer waved on. I dont think I get away with that in America, even when we beat UT this Thanksgiving. The combination of love for sport and love for country resulted in parades and parties all night in Barcelona. The main thing I learned about others is the pride in their country.
But how did that impact me? Throughout this trip, as business majors, we thought globally. I realized that pride can be a good thing, but my pride in my country could pull me away from foreign business. I realized on this trip that people in other countries don’t care if America is the greatest country in the world. But they do care for their own country. This meant that if I wanted to be an effective businessman, I would need to learn to open my mind and immerse myself in other cultures. I cannot go into a country with the idea that I will impose America on them for whatever reason and expect them to respond. The most important thing I learned on this study abroad is that if I want to be a business man making global decisions I need to have an open my mind.
I would like to tell someone considering studying abroad that they should expect to have the time of their life. They are going to go and see things they would never have imagined. You will see some of the most beautiful places in the world and meet people from everywhere. I would also want them to know that the people are not so different from Americans. They like the same things and ultimately want the same things in life. By knowing that ultimately we are all the same they would have a completely different experience. One that might change how they see the world and the kind of business person they become.
