Santa Clara University

As a business marketing major and international business minor I have learned a lot during my time in Barcelona, management styles and personal contact with a completely different culture makes me realize that not all business markets react the same to deals and proposals. Personally, it is hard to make close friends, or in a business sense because relationships here are long term oriented and based on trust. people need to trust you in the business world or in real life before you are able to truly call another, your friend or business partner. This pertains not only for Spanish nationals, different groups within Spain. Basque Country, Madrid and Catalonia are three very different cultures living within the same country borders. It is interesting to see that personal relations vary from area to area and from country to country after traveling to Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and into Southern Europe, Italy. Every country offered different learning experiences, weather it was negotiations with taxi's to bartering a belt, to understanding body gestures (in Prague it is customary to not smile and say thank you more than once at the end of the meal). All of my experiences have contributed greatly to my personal experiences and to my academic career path. I know now that not all countries fully understand going into business relations before knowing cultural differences, which in turn throws the whole business plan for a dismal curve, whether it was a good plan that would benefit both parties or not. My time here has assured me that continuing to pursue foreign relations and learning different languages is very important in my fields of study and I will pursue both in a manner that will put me ahead of my competition after i graduate at Santa Clara.

Depending on what country, city or continent you (the student) are planning on going to make sure that you are well aware that you are representing your country as well as yourself whether you like it or not. People here in Europe think highly and differently that most Americans think. I would urge a student to look at the cultural impact the United States has on European countries as well as African countries, here I would tell a student that it is bigger than they think. Every country I've been to I have looked at the impacts, we as a country, impose on the rest of the world as well as in these European countries.

Students should research their travel destinations fully before actually visiting that country or city, culturally and as tourist.  If not, they will put themselves in dangerous situations that are not necessary for an abroad experience. Be aware your surroundings and the people who you are traveling with because more people than you know are watching how you go about your time here. Traveling to Morocco, I experienced some interesting circumstances which could have definitely been avoided, my group size was too big and the lack of knowledge going into the trip close to non-existent. It was one of the biggest learning experiences of my life. With that being said wouldn't take back one minute of my time in Morocco.

It is important to experience the culture as well as have a good time. Partying is not what an abroad experience is all about, have a good time, but make sure that you are able to embrace your time with different cultures and people with the mindset that your time here is very beneficial for when you return from abroad. These are real life experiences that you can learn first hand rather then a classroom and you should see that for what its worth.