Starting strong in Munich, I got to see Bavaria and its comparison to southern hospitality. Munich is what many people including I associate German culture with. There were biergartens on every corner, dirndls and lederhosen being worn, and a beer in almost everyone’s hands. The people were friendlier, modest, and laid back in Munich. Berliners are much more progressive, and I think it contributes to their history. It was evident from the graffiti and rebellious atmosphere of Berlin that the people there acknowledge and learn from Germany’s past mistakes. The greatest differences I saw between both cities were in their style, manner, and cultural/economical demographics. As for business engagement, start-ups are a common trend in both cities. From my understanding, Berlin seemed to be more serious and have higher success rates when it came to their start-ups. Learning about automobile companies such as BMW and Volkswagen and their differing manufacturing process was very insightful. I really enjoyed how both car companies included a history timeline of their first vehicles with dates. My initial impressions of Germany have changed as I’ve learned more about the European Union and took advantage of weekend trips. After going to Italy for a weekend, I realized how developed Germany is as a country. Their train system is also more advanced. My time abroad has changed the way I see America as well and has made me more open-minded to how different cultures function and think. I now understand why it is so important that American business leaders have a global mindset when making decisions. As I depart, I am eager to integrate this new perspective into my life in order to become a better global leader. I was very pleased with my program and am so grateful for the new memories, friendships, and experiences that will last forever.
