This past month in Spain has forced tremendous personal growth. Before coming on this study abroad, I had never traveled outside of the country for an extended period of time. Each cultural excursion and business meeting we attended, further shaped my mindset as a Mays Transformational Leader.?
My project team had the opportunity to consult with Weflating Apartments, a company that owns around 120 apartments in Barcelona and has competed in the hospitality industry for the past 15 years. Weflating is opening up a new boutique hostel in October, a business model that is drastically different from the apartments they typically offer. Our team had the opportunity to tour the hostel and visit with the Weflating team about their expectations for our research. In the end, our team provided detailed recommendations for the pricing model, distribution platforms, social media presence, competitors, and customer profile. I thoroughly enjoyed this project because I had to put myself in the shoes of the local Spaniard or American tourist that this hostel will attract.. It forced me to develop a cultural understanding which I know will assist me in the future workplace when I am learning how to fit into that company?s culture.?
Apart from our project, we spent much time exploring Spain. Some of my favorite places we visited were Sagrada Familia and Montserrat. These two locations bookended our trip. We visited Sagrada Familia first and Montserrat during the last week and both locations made my jaw drop. These places are saturated with history, religious significance, and detailed architecture. We received a private tour of both and got to get an insider perspective on the significance behind these locations. These spots made me more open-minded and gave me the confidence to face challenges and try new things when I return home.?
