As I reflect on my time in Athens, Greece while looking over the Acropolis from our hotel rooftop, I am amazed how much can change within a week.
I’ve always wanted to go abroad in college. I dreamed of seeing new places, eating new food, and seeing the art that I have admired for so long. However, I never realized how integrated my dream of going abroad and my growth as a business leader could be.
Athens is so dedicated to conservation and making its history the center of its culture. Everywhere you go, there are historical sites tucked right into the mix of modern-day restaurants, gift shops, and homes. I enjoyed seeing that the Athenians work so hard to maintain these bits of their past in contrast to America’s skyscrapers and modern architecture. Among these historical sites that we visited were the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, and the Agora.
The ancient Athens Agora was a marketplace in the middle of the city, where merchants could set up booths and sell things like produce and handmade goods. The Agora was also a place for philosophers like Socrates to come and share their ideas with others. They discussed things like democracy, liberty, and fairness, ideals that to this day have worked to shape America and Texas A&M’s core values.
Walking around the remains of the Agora impacted me more than I was originally expecting. I learned that business is more than just turning a profit. In today’s market, we measure success in dollar signs. Instead, business should involve spreading ideas and creating a brighter future for those around you. Global leaders are not just CEOs or entrepreneurs, although they are undoubtedly key players in the business sectors. Leaders can also be found within those willing to question the status quo and who are not afraid to stand for their beliefs, like Socrates.
I got to fulfill my dream of seeing new places and eating new foods while traveling abroad with CIBS. However, I have gained so much more than I originally expected. I have gained a new perspective on how important business spaces are. With true innovators at the helm, innovators willing to question the standards like the ancient philosophers did, businesses can change the world. I hope for the rest of my experience that I can continue to keep an open mind to the experiences around me and become more culturally intelligent.
