I cannot say enough good things about study abroad. I believe if you have to opportunity to do so, you should definitely take it. Studying abroad is not just taking another class, it is about being able to indulge in a culture in a way that you would not be able to if you were traveling for pleasure. You are submerged into the culture and are able to learn the language, learn what is important to them, and be able to compare your life with theirs.
During the marketing study abroad, we were able to shadow companies such as Swarovski, Lloyd?s of London, BETC, L?occitane, and Bucherer and learn how they have been successful and the impacts marketing had on that success. They gave us in-depth insight and were kind enough to show us around their facilities and the behind-the-scenes. Some of the companies gave us hands-on experiences so we could have a better understanding and appreciation for what they have mastered. We were able to form great connections with these companies during our time with them. As I said, studying abroad is also beneficial because of your chance to indulge in the culture. We were able to go to many local shows in London, Austria, and Germany. We were also able to try delicacies from the countries such as fondue in Switzerland, schnitzel and strudel in Austria, and the famous Parisian hot chocolate. During many of these activities, we were able to interact with locals and learn more about their cultures and hear their thoughts on America.
Our head professor, Dr. Mac, Made this trip very special for all of us and made sure we made the most of every second. All of the professors who lead these study abroad trips are passionate about business, travel, and learning and will push you out of your comfort zone so you can have the full experience. Some of my first impressions were correct but I will say a lot of the interactions went better than I had anticipated. From what I had heard, a lot of cultures will not interact with you if you do not make an effort to try their language. In most cases, it was true but they appreciated manners and effort in the beginning and were willing to work with you from there. So, when you are traveling, I recommend learning the basic mannerisms of the country you are visiting! I thought that hopping from country to country was easier as well. We developed a system early on, became flexible, and were able to learn on the go (knowing some of the languages helped because you could always ask for assistance).
One of the parts of studying abroad that I value is the self-reflection that happens afterward. There are a lot of ideas that Europeans value (enjoying life and wellness) that I feel I do not make enough time for. Now that I have lived their lifestyle for the past month, I am able to bring new ideas back home with me. I will always recommend travel to those who want to, but I think studying abroad is an even better option because of all the important lessons and experiences you can gain from them.
