Final Thoughts on Croatia – Ishna Maredia

After studying abroad in Dubrovnik, I learned numerous things about the business environment in Croatia and Neum. Croatia went through a war around 30 years ago and was once a communist country. Their business knowledge is still limited and we were there to help with that. I also learned that many Croatians know how to speak English but there is still a small language barrier so using simple words and speaking slowly is the best way to get your thoughts across. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Croatians also value warmth, friendliness, and building personal connections. Business interactions often started with informal conversations and getting to know each other on a personal level. My initial impression of Croatia was that the food portions are going to be small and it would be more Mediterranean food. However, that was not the case. The portions were similar to how they are in the U.S and there was a lot of pizza, pasta, burgers, and seafood. The time I spent abroad has changed my perspective on how we should go about our lives. I loved how relaxed and easygoing the people of Croatia are. They work hard to make ends meet but also make time for their friendships and to enjoy life. In the U.S, it is a fast-paced environment and it is also very focused on work. There should be a good balance between work and life in the U.S. Studying abroad also helped me get out of my comfort zone. I had to quickly adjust to environments that I have never been in before and I did things I never thought I would. I did cliff jumping and ate octopus and oysters which I would have never done in the U.S. I am grateful for the time I spent abroad and the relationships I made with my group and the locals. I learned new things that will help me in the international business world.