After traveling to eight European countries in 28 days with 79 other Texas A&M students, I can confidently say that I’ve gained some new perspectives not only in business but in society as a whole. I’ve had a few days to reflect on my life-changing experiences over the last month. Before arriving in Europe, I was under the impression that the countries we would visit would operate with similar cultures and societal norms. Although this was partially true, I learned that each country has unique qualities that set them apart from other nations. For example, each country has a unique cuisine, such as Italy with pasta and France with pastries. In addition, some countries’ citizens are proud of their nation’s heritage while other countries have less patriotic citizens.
Some of my fondest learning experiences from the trip came from my interactions with locals. As part of our study abroad curriculum, we were required to interview people who lived in seven of the cities we visited. Through these interviews, we learned about local culture, societal norms, and what Europeans thought of the United States. I was somewhat surprised to realize the similarities between the people I interviewed and those in the United States. Many of them talked about their hobbies, which included watching sports like soccer and American football, playing video games, and listening to music. However, most locals are not fond of American politics. Topics such as the Second Amendment, healthcare, and Donald Trump were commonly brought up by our interviewees. Overall, almost every interaction we had during our trip was very positive.
During our trip, we had the opportunity to visit many world-leading businesses, such as Chelsea Football Club, Swarovski, and BMW. Through these visits, we gained an understanding of how these businesses market their goods or services worldwide. Each company that we visited emphasized its heritage and mission within its marketing strategies. For example, on our visit to Masi Wines, we learned about their expansion of product offerings. Although its goal is to reach a wider variety of customers, the brand is still committed to promoting its rich history through advertisements and product design.
Looking back, it was such a blessing to experience the various cultures and brands we encountered across Europe on this trip. I’m so thankful to have had this opportunity to travel with these students and faculty members, and I will carry these memories with me for the rest of my life!
