It is hard to believe that these 5 weeks are already over! It feels both as if I just arrived in France and as if I have been here much longer! This experience has been so impactful and has definitely broadened my perspective on business. We spent a lot of time in class and in business visits learning about the EU and about business practices in Europe, and the differences between European and American customs have been very interesting to deduce. The priorities and governing structure of the European Union, for example, are very different from those in America. In Europe, there is a huge emphasis placed on sustainability and climate- this can be seen in several facets of the European economy, from advertisements to actual policy. It is evident that sustainability serves as both a place of genuine interest and a powerful marketing tool to European consumers.
In regards to France specifically, there are a few preconceptions I had coming in- I thought they did not like Americans very much, dressed super chic all the time, and carried baguettes around all the time. After being here for some time, I conclude that two of those three thoughts were correct. First, many (but not all!) French people we interacted with were not particularly warm and welcoming to those of us who do not speak French. It seems that the French disposition is less friendly than that of America, especially in the south. Second, it was fairly rare to see more than a couple of people dressed particularly well on any given day, which is a reality vastly different from that which is portrayed in the media. Lastly, it is exceptionally commonplace to see people carrying baguettes around everywhere they go! I wish we did that in the United States!
Though every great experience is not without downfalls, this study abroad experience has been just that- great! I cannot recommend going abroad enough to any student who is curious about other cultures!
