A week ago I left for the Europe Marketing Study Abroad trip. This past week has been filled with so many amazing experiences and learning opportunities. I am writing this blog post to share my initial impressions of the program, cities, and country.
We landed in Paris, France, and headed to Lisieux in Normandy. We visited the D-Day cemeteries and sights. Seeing the landscape and its challenges made me so thankful for those who fought that day. The following day we visited Mont St. Michel, a small island of a city off the coast of Normandy. It began to be built in 708 AD and can be reached by a bridge when it is not high tide. The city and its abbey were fascinating. The detail and architecture were incredible. We also learned about the island’s history; how it served as everything from housing monks to a prison in the 17o0s.
In Normandy, through my program, I interviewed a resident, Houda. I learned about why she came to France and her daily life. My experiences in Normandy allowed me to see what quieter life in France is like. Many people farm and almost all restaurants are closed on Sundays. It was a lot calmer than my previous experience in France when I visited Paris.
Then we headed to Paris and did a city bike tour when we arrived. I learned about the culture and history of many sights around the city. The next day we headed to Disneyland Paris and completed a marketing scavenger hunt. We looked for examples of french culture, prestige pricing, brand anthropomorphism, social influences, and more. I loved getting to see marketing examples in everyday life. The following day we did a bike tour, picnic, and visited the palace in Versailles. We ended the day watching the Eiffel Tower ‘sparkle’ on the Seine. At the end of our first week, we visited two companies and learned about marketing in France. We heard from Doing Business in Paris first and they explained the barriers to entry into the French market. Next, we heard from NEAPOLIS, a company that markets French Luxury Brands. We learned about how they have to be adaptable to the market and how they target consumers.
Through my first week, I have learned many things that apply to my education while simultaneously experiencing breathtaking sights and activities. From my program, I have learned how to understand your market’s wants and how to meet them. I have noticed cultural differences between my home country and France. Everything I have done has been more amazing than I thought it would be and I can’t wait for the rest of my trip. I am so thankful for this opportunity to go abroad!
