The past five weeks in France have allowed me to grow as an individual and gain a broader perspective of different cultures around the world. This trip has flown by much faster than I expected, and I am leaving with a new sense of independence. I have been exposed to so many different people and what their lives are like here.
Most of my initial impressions were accurate. The culture around consumerism is much different than what I am accustomed to. In the U.S., there is a huge emphasis on customer satisfaction and that the ?customer is always right?. In Europe, especially in France, we experienced less than ideal customer service at some restaurants and hotels. These interactions were quite eye opening and allowed me to be more aware of cultural differences. Another aspect of Europe that has become almost second nature to me is the ease of walking and public transportation. I am definitely going to miss this way of living. It is so easy to walk everywhere here.
Furthermore, one of the courses we took was called European Union Integration. We learned about how the EU runs and what it is like to be a citizen in one of its member states. Learning about the EU whilst living here and firsthand experiencing the culture has been a life changing opportunity. I was able to gain a deeper understanding of what life is like for people in Europe. All in all, I would recommend this trip to any business major that wants to broaden their horizons and become a more well rounded and independent individual. I will be processing this experience long after I return to the U.S. I am so grateful for this group of people, our professors, and all the coordinators who made this study abroad possible.
