This program has truly been a trip of a lifetime. Going into this experience, I believed that I had a strong understanding of how international business works and operates. I quickly learned that how it truly works is much more intricate than expected. One of the key things I noticed is that my host country’s business operates on a deeper personal level. They enjoy closing in the middle of the day to long a lunch with their coworkers or taking long holidays in the heat of summer. With that being said when they are working, they work very hard to stand out from their competition.
In a city like Barcelona, tourism drives the economy so it is essential for companies to use unique marketing strategies to make their workspace and must-do for tourists. My time abroad has changed my perspective on how unique every country is. Spain has a system that works best for them and makes them one of the largest economies in Europe, even though the workday is more laid back compared to companies in the United States. Another perspective that changed is how important different cultures are. Walking down the street, you will most likely hear 3-4 different languages. This impressed me and showed just how diverse Spain was, but how it was essential for the economy to thrive.
This program has been full of unexpected things that have left me in awe. One of the twists is comparing the city of Madrid to Barcelona. Both cities are the main economic powerhouses of Spain but have very different aspects. Madrid is focused on political aspects with hints of tourism and Barcelona is focused on the port as well as strong tourism. Overall, this program has been so rewarding. I have had so much fun embracing a completely different culture and learning what makes it unique. I also have made amazing new friends. I have not only grown academically but on a personal level. I would not trade this experience for anything.
