My time abroad in Italy has provided me with the opportunity to learn about international business and how it differs from that in the United States. I had the opportunity to consult for an Italian company and solve problems that they were facing. With this company, they faced many business challenges that companies in the US face, but have to go about solving those problems in a different way. This is because Italian business culture has different priorities than we are used to. One of the most important aspects of our case was the issue of coming up with an implementation timeline. This company wanted our recommendations to be implemented as soon as possible, but Italian companies usually aren’t in business during late summer. This is a common time for many Italians to go on vacation, as it is too hot to work in Italy at this time. This is not something that is common for companies in the US, and we had to alter our timeline to alleviate this problem.
During this time, I have had the opportunity to reflect on what I want out of my career. Italy has taught me that sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too. There are options for people to prioritize their family and life outside of work and have a successful career. I feel as though sometimes we, as Americans, prioritize the right things for the wrong reasons. Working is great, and I want to be proud of my career; however, I want to have a life outside of my job. Going back to the states, I want to make time for the things in my life that are important to me. Whether it be travel, friends, family, or relaxation, I know that I have the knowledge from studying abroad to make time for it all.
