Within the past two weeks, my study abroad has ventured through Spain, France, and Italy. My impressions of the countries were quite different from my expectations, but there were also a few expectations that they met. For example, I expected to favor France, but it was actually my least favorite country. The people were not as accommodating as I expected, and the architecture of the city was not as ornate as I figured it would be. I also struggled to find good meals in France, which was a thorough surprise. There were several expectations that the countries did meet, often in reference to what they would be most known for. For example, Italy was my favorite location for food, France had some of the best fashion, Monaco had incredibly ornate architecture, and Spain had the most to do since we stayed in a major port city.
My experience abroad has only further encouraged me to move to Europe at some point in the future. I thought that my only option would be to move to England due to a lack of a language barrier. However, during my trip, it has become apparent that the majority of people in Europe speak English, though less people in France do than those in Spain or Italy. This also means that working with people abroad will not be as complicated as anticipated since most businesses in Europe expect to participate in international trade. In reference to the businesses we visited, it became clear how vital shipping and tourism are in these countries due to their popularity and small size. Additionally, although the tours were insightful as they delved into the history and importance of the location we were visiting, the greatest perspective came from getting to know the city on my own and getting to thrive in a culture drastically different from my own. It has truly made me want to see more of the world, to learn and see more than just what I am accustomed to, an experience I hope to continue in the future.
