Spending time abroad and engaging directly with the business environments and local people of Switzerland, Slovenia, Austria, and Italy has been an eye-opening experience that profoundly reshaped my understanding of conducting business in a foreign country. While in Italy we had business visits with Violin Makers, Gondola Makers, and a place dedicated to creating innovative spaces for various companies or individuals. Each of these experiences were unique and specific to Italian business relations. However, visiting FabLab in the innovative building was particularly memorable because their office space was shared by multiple companies. FabLab rented out a specific lab to build prototypes and actual products. It was so unusual because the entire building was a shared space. We walked around and everyone was doing their own thing and tied to varying companies. Each business visit revealed a much richer, more nuanced reality, helping me to better understand the business practices across these countries.
One of the most significant lessons I learned is the importance of cultural context in business transactions. The way people communicate, negotiate, and build relationships often differs vastly from what I have been accustomed to. For example, in Italy, establishing trust and rapport before diving into business discussions is important. This might mean investing more time in informal meetings, social events, or simply showing genuine interest in the other person’s background and values. This relational approach to business challenged my initial perspective, where I expected meetings to be more structured and goal-oriented. Although our business visits were very informational, they were much more fun than listening to a lecture about them from a company. These visits were very interactive and dynamic.
In summary, my experience abroad transformed my approach to business from one that prioritized quick outcomes to one that values relationships, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability. It reminded me that successful international business is as much about peop;le as it is about profits. This deeper cultural awareness and enhanced interpersonal skills will undoubtedly influence how I engage in global business environments moving forward in my career.
