This summer (May 2023), I took a three-week trip abroad through Europe with 14 other A&M students. Over the period, we learned about investment management in the financial sector of the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and France. We visited a wide range of companies including investment banking firms, private equity firms, and even some public sector firms. This trip brought me more insight into the financial sector than any other class or trip that I have ever been on. Being a part of the trip allowed me expand my horizons. Before this trip, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life after college. This trip gave me the knowledge and confidence to pursue my dreams of working internationally.
Out of the twenty companies that we got the opportunity to visit, two specifically helped shape my career dreams. The OCC (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency) in Washington D.C., explained their role in protecting the financial sector. They hire people to examine banks around the country to ensure safe banking practices. I never thought about working in the public sector, but this visit changed my point of view. Bringing confidence and security to the financial sector is something that I am now passionate about that I did not know about before. Secondly, meeting with JP Morgan in Geneva, Switzerland was surreal. We met with employees of all levels of the company, even the CEO. The visit allowed me to grow my understanding of investment banking, wealth management, and more. I learned that I would love to work in wealth management, and it brought me the confidence and connections to apply for a job after college.
Not only did this trip provide some of the most eye-opening experiences about my future, but it brought me lifelong friendships while being able to learn about other cultures. Experiencing what life is like in other countries is something I am beyond thankful for. America has such a narrow focus on itself that we hardly hear about others around the world, while other countries care about how the globe is doing as a whole. How can you expect to grow to your full potential without learning from all perspectives of life? I want to encourage you to study abroad. I have been on two study abroad trips so far in college, and these two experiences have helped me grow more than anything else in my life while finding some of my closest friends. You will not regret going on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
