As my time abroad has come to an end, I want to say how thankful I am for this opportunity. This past month traveling through France and England with 68 other students and the best faculty members has been the opportunity of a lifetime and an experience I will never forget. Getting to explore foreign countries with old and new friends is such a special experience. This study abroad was an absolute blast, and I had the best time! Thank you Texas A&M for this incredible opportunity!
Throughout the course of the program, we were able to hear from speakers from many companies in both France and England, as well as tour some of their facilities. Some of these companies included BETC Brand Agency, L’Occitane, Parfumerie Fragonard, Superunion, Lloyd’s of London, and Loke Global. Doing business in France and England is not too different than in America. Just like in the U.S, each company is different and brings its own special characteristics to the table. One thing they all had in common was that they were very open about their businesses and their work. Many of these companies started from the creative ideas of determined entrepreneurs. Some of these companies, such as L’Occitane, have already expanded into American markets. Unlike the U.S, it seems that employees in France and England are less stressed and get more time off from work. Of course, employees abroad are not without stress in their work environment, but there seems to be less pressure on them than what is common in America. Doing business in France also requires knowledge of the French language, as not everyone can speak English. Language barriers can be a real problem for businesses. Overall, doing business abroad still requires the determination and creativity that is necessary for success in America as well. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to learn more about the nuances of business in France and England in comparison to America.
