This was truly a once in a lifetime experience, and unlike anything I have ever done (and probably will ever do). On this trip, we had the opportunity to travel to 7 different countries within Europe, and visit 15 companies along the way. Some of my favorite memories included hiking in the Alps, riding a gondola through the canals of Venice, sledding down Mt. Titlis in Switzerland, and having a picnic in front of the Eiffel Tower. We even got to interview a local in every place we visited! The biggest takeaway I found from these interviews was the fact that every local we talked to knew, to some degree, politics happening in America and what that meant for their country. I feel that in America, we do not spend that much time devoting ourselves to learning the political affairs of other countries. I was also surprised with how those we interviewed viewed Americans as a whole. I initially believed that the stereotype would ring true, and that they would consider us to be annoying. However, all locals said some variation of Americans being like any other people, and that they are usually more conversational than most.
Noting many cultural differences, a few of the biggest was ordering water at restaurants, the sheer amount of history that Europe holds, and the pedestrian focused architecture. Every town we visited had effective, clean, and efficient public transportation. They also catered to bikers and walkers, and everything was relatively within walking distance if you needed to get to it. Our step counts everyday were off the charts! Also, anywhere we went, it was as if the history was stacked on top of itself. With the Romans, so many monarchies, and so many wars, there are so many historical sites and moments that take place within Europe. It was eye opening to see how young America is compared to so many of these countries.
As for conducting business, there is a certain sense of leisure in Europe that is hard to find in America. Many businesses highlight a work-life balance, and your social circle is mainly focused upon those you work with. There is also no rush. People do things slowly, and savor everything, even your cashier at the grocery store seems to savor their time doing anything. Restaurants serve you anywhere from two to three hours, and don?t expect you to rush in and rush out, which makes it difficult to get the check sometimes. It was just interesting that there was no emphasis on having a sense of urgency. In America, everything we do for efficiencies sake, but it could not be more different in each of the countries we visited. Overall, this was the most incredible experience to have had. I am so thankful to Texas A&M, CIBS, and Mays Business School for having opportunities like this one for students to develop their educational worldviews. I can only imagine how much I will continue to talk about this trip for the coming years, and am so thankful for the many friendships made along the way!
