My name is Henry Cowan and I’m a part of the Texas A&M Italy Business study abroad program. My trip to Italy has been far more than I ever could have imagined. This is the first time I have left America, and it is fascinating to see all of the differences compared to the United States. Our group started our trip in Rome where we got to see many historic sites. A couple of days later, we began our trip to Florence where we will remain for most of the trip. Florence will be the place where we have our classes and get to learn about Italian culture and businesses the most. I’ve learned that Italian businesses tend to value personal relationships very much and often the services can be slow. Although this can be an adjustment, trying to understand their culture makes me appreciate their differences. I hope as time goes on, I will further embrace the way Italians do business and the way their homes are set up. We have started our international finance and business courses which have helped me see how each topic differs from America. Our group has been able to visit four different companies operating in Italy. I’ve learned that businesses tend to operate on less credit than companies that operate in the United States. Also, hearing about how valuable personal relationships are gives a welcoming feeling everywhere you go. While Italy tends to lean slightly toward an individualist society, it can differ widely among the region of Italy you are in. The North is more individualistic than the South of Italy creating a divide in economic status and way of life. As my time continues in Italy, I look forward to learning more about the differences within the country as well as the differences from the United States.
