My expectations for London and Paris were high of course because of all of the movies we have seen about them. London exceeded my expectations because I was not expecting the kindness I received from the locals. They were thrilled that we were visiting their country and told us about places and activities we should do there. From London, I wanted to learn more about their history and how they have been able to manage successful businesses for generations. A huge difference between the United States and England is the appreciation of the old. Most of their buildings are over hundreds of years old and have been repurposed into whatever that area needs. You can tell that the people want to keep history alive and relevant. In the United States, we do appreciate our history but are always looking for ways to improve, even if that means tearing down a small piece of the past. I personally do not know many buildings that are older than two hundred years old.
Paris surprised me in more ways than one. I knew they were driven by spending time with loved ones and enjoying life. This was apparent when visiting the companies; there was a focus on the employee’s well-being and their work relationships. I was surprised that so many of them knew English, or at least enough to communicate with us. While in Paris, I want to learn the basics of the French language and learn more about sustainable business methods. I difference between the United States and France is the pace. I think that is one of the reasons why France is not crazy about Americans because we are so focused on work while they are focused on the quality of life. I honestly think both countries could benefit from learning each other’s habits because it would make our lives more well-rounded and help our people and economies. I look forward to the new lessons I will learn later in my study abroad.
