Days Before Departure – Hurshell Brown

As we reach our final days, I am both excited and sad to head back to Texas. This trip has been mind opening and I have had so much fun with the amazing group I was with. In learning about Spain?s economy, I would say that I have a pretty good basis on how their financial sectors are ran and what they look for in good business conditions. Spain is a friend based society which means that they are less individualist and more community based. This quality translates into every aspect of their economy. Spain cannot have substantial power on their own so they train their workers with the idea that, ?If we work together, we will be able to achieve more as well as provide for our citizens.? America has very different ideals, in that the goal for an American is to be individually strong and capable so that they can make themselves successful. The cultural differences make huge impacts on choices of leaders, policies, and social aspects. Spain?s goal is to focus on price stability of their economy and have a perfect balance. This is beneficial for their citizens, but they are not able to grow exponentially. The marketplace is a great example of that, in that if an economic downturn occurs Spain will raise their prices to offset the market. In America, the supply and demand is much larger and they have further outreach and control so they are able to raise and drop supply to meet their demands. The Spanish market however cannot drop their supply side very quickly so instead they just raise prices to offset the gap. The difference is that America focuses on price stability as well as economic growth. It has been fascinating to see the variety of small shops, but I have been very curious where the big corporations are in Spain. After some research I have found out that Madrid is a central point for big business and Barcelona is more of a tourist, beach town. They don?t necessarily need skyscrapers as we have in America because they are a very relaxed culture and that translates into their business. They like to know their business partners well and treat it as a friendship agreement. America differs greatly in that Americans want everything to be fast. If business? in America are fast, then that typically means that they are making more money. The saying, ?Time is Money,? does not apply in Spain. Most people would rather enjoy their time spent and work when its necessary. Another interesting thing that I have learned about Spain is that they have free healthcare. I was not able to look into the effects on the economy from that, but I can imagine that that would take a good amount of a budget for them. In America we transfer the cost to the citizens and the medical industry is massive. I don?t believe the medical industry is near as extensive in Spain. It has been so exciting and insightful to see the cultural differences through every aspect of the life of a Spaniard on this trip. I am beyond blessed to have been able to dive into their beautiful culture.