I cannot believe that it is already over. This last month has been a whirlwind of new, and amazing experiences. In class, I learned even more about the European Union and how the business environment differs in a place like Spain in comparison to the United States. Each country places importance on different values.
In my last weeks abroad, we were given the opportunity to take a trip to A Coru?a, Galicia where we went on company visits to Sargodelos, a Porcelain manufacturer, Estrella Galicia, a Brewery, and Bodega Regina Viarum, a winery. All of these visits were amazing! Each of them taught me a little more about the industry and reinforced the idea that business is very different in Spain. These businesses seemed proud of their locality and prided themselves in their dedication to their craft rather than being focused on expansion or advertising.
In my last blog post, I mentioned wanting to immerse myself even further into Spanish culture. I would say that I definitely achieved that goal. Over this month, I was able to have many cultural experiences. From visiting Madrid, the capital of Spain, to trying Spanish dishes (and even cooking them), to seeing Picasso?s Guernica in person, to practicing my Spanish, I took advantage of every opportunity I was given. It definitely paid off.
My biggest takeaway from this amazing experience is how simple life can be if you want it to be. In Spain, most people live day by day just doing things that fit into their values and ensuring that they maintain their happiest life. In the United States, living like that is a privilege for most people. I am fortunate enough to be able to have experiences like this that open my eyes to the realities of the world. I know that I will take all the things that I have learned into my future, both professionally and personally, and I cannot wait to come back to Spain!
