Studying abroad has been one of the best experiences I have had. Not only was I able to travel to many cities in France and England, I also was able to learn many new things along the way. There were many nuances in the way that businesses run in both France and England compared to the United States. One of the first things that I heard was while visiting BETC?s company grounds in Paris. This company is a French advertising agency that focuses on renewing the way that brands engage with their consumers. Our tour guide, Michael Boamah, showed us around the company buildings and gave a presentation about what their company does and past projects that they have been involved in. Mr. Boamah said the main difference between French and U.S. businesses is the work-life in the office. Although some companies in France might be strict, most companies are very relaxed and laid back in the office. They normally do not have a dress code and people have a friendly relationship with their boss and coworkers. Another main difference that I noticed was the dining experience at restaurants. In the U.S., your waiter will consistently check on you throughout the entire meal. In France and England, your waiter will take your order, bring your food, and then won?t come back. I actually enjoyed not being checked on every five minutes, as it allowed me to stay engaged in conversations and fully enjoy my meal. In Stratford, England I was eating dinner and ended up talking with one of the locals. He had been to Florida twice and was telling me all the things that he liked and disliked about the U.S. He also felt that the service in American restaurants was overbearing. In London, Meghan Claridge, the senior reputation manager of Superunion, came and spoke to us about their company?s main goals. Superunion is a global brand agency that focuses on creativity and making a meaningful change. Mrs. Claridge was an Aggie who went on this same study abroad and has since moved to London for work. After working in both the U.S. and London, Mrs. Claridge was able to give us many insights on the differences of how businesses run. She explained that in England, they do a much better job at balancing work and life. Some people in the U.S. only focus on work, even after getting home from it. In England, they tend to work for shorter hours and once they leave work, they don?t think about it again until the next day. Even with the distinctions between businesses in the US, France, and England, many things are very similar. This trip has allowed me to experience many different cultures, talk to locals about their work and life, and learn about the ways that companies work based on where they are living and what they are doing.
