After studying abroad in two very different European cultures, I learned a lot not only about two business environments, but also about myself. Croatia and Belgium are two very different countries in very different stages of growth. Croatia, reeling from a war in the ’90s, just joined the European Union in 2013 and is 30 years removed from being a communist society. Belgium, however, is deeply enriched in Western Europe society and has a much more established economy. There is a greater understanding of business there, as evidenced by a number of high-quality universities. While these two countries were different from each other, they allowed me to understand how to communicate with different types of people. In Croatia, as students, we knew more than the average business person. Our help was needed in the consulting project we participated in, and we made an impact. In Belgium however, we were able to soak in knowledge. Business is understood there, and as students, we had a lot to absorb. I thought it was a great experience because in one country we had something to give, and in the other, we had something to absorb.
Personally, this abroad experience challenged me in ways I never would have imagined. Going to two very different countries, I had to quickly adjust to environments I have never been in before. I would have never described myself as adventurous, but when placed in an unfamiliar environment, I tried things I never thought I would! I tried foods I had never heard of, I stayed in hostels with people I did not know, I walked close to 10 miles a day, I visited new cities almost daily, and I built relationships with local students! This experience challenged my comfort in numerous ways. On the other side of this abroad experience, I am thankful for everything I learned and all the memories I made. As a Senior, I believe that studying abroad this past summer was just what I needed to prepare myself to enter the global business world. But beyond that, it was just what I needed to learn more about myself and prepare to enter a new and uncertain chapter of my life with confidence.
