These past 4 weeks have been nothing short of amazing! During this program I got to visit England, France, Monaco, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Each country was so different from the last and it was so incredible to experience the different ways of life in each one. In addition to the 7 countries, we got to explore multiple different companies, such as L’Occitane, BMW, Design Bridge and Partners, Lloyd’s of London, and more. Each company had its own unique way of portraying itself allowing us to see their strengths. The visits included tours, experiences, and presentations. A major take away from each company is that there is so much that goes on behind the scenes that consumers do not know about. Each employee holds such an important role in making the company successful. I also learned a lot about professionalism, such as how to introduce yourself, properly ask a question, engage with the presenter, and what is expected in a workplace. Something that I noticed from engaging with citizens of each country is that Americans usually get a bad first impression. However, through experience I learned that if we take the time to learn about their culture, they are much more welcoming. Putting in effort, such as learning the basics of their native language, goes a long way. When we emerge ourselves into understanding the culture and life of each country, we are able to create a better experience for both ourselves and locals. Originally, I did not know what to expect from this program, and I was nervous to leave home for so long. Luckily, the program is planned so well, with such knowledgeable professors, that all my worries were gone from the very beginning of the trip. It is important to keep an open mind when you go abroad, and to say yes to every opportunity you get! My time abroad will be something that I will never forget. I created both memories and friends that will last a lifetime!
