My initial impression while being abroad has been similar but different in many ways. I have found that there are a lot of similarities in the way we live and the way we do business but some things are also very different. The global business program so far has been amazing to see from across the world. I have enjoyed learning and seeing the different ways and different cultures in Europe. At our first stop in London, it felt similar to the United States but it had its differences. I felt like in London, UK everyone was very reserved and just stuck to themselves. It was cool to see how they do things that we feel are normal on a day-to-day basis. Hence, driving on the left side of the road. As a whole, I feel that European people are more reserved than Americans, in another way I would just mention that everyone is solely independent and to themselves. In my abroad experience I am hoping to gain many things. One that I would mention is that I am hoping to be exposed to many cultures and different kinds of people. By that, I mean being exposed to the different ways that people do things just like Americans do. In addition to that, I just hope to learn. There are so many things that I feel a lot of Americans do not know because we are not normally exposed to another country besides when we learn about it in grade school history. This abroad experience is something not many people get to experience and I truly just hope to become more educated about things in the business world as well as the everyday lives of people in Europe. With the way that Europeans’ everyday lives go, there are differences compared to the United States culture. One main difference that we all could guess is the time and distance. They use military timing as well as they are 6-7 hours ahead depending on the location. Another difference is the side of the road that they drive on, the left side. This was relatively challenging when crossing the roads and watching for oncoming traffic because for most all my life I have been exposed to people driving on the right side of the road. Lastly, another main difference is that as we have moved to France, the language is not English. This is relatively challenging when you are out and in public and people do not speak the same language as you. Being abroad has opened my eyes to so many things and I cannot wait to see what the rest of this abroad experience has in store for me.
