My favorite part of my seminar was being able to travel to multiple different countries in such a short amount of time. For most study abroad programs out there you have to go to one place for an entire semester and you are stuck there just exploring and learning that specific place. International Business Seminars allows you to go to various different cities whether it be in Europe, China, or other parts of Asia. I was able to travel to London, Paris, Geneva, Heidelberg, and Amsterdam all in just over a two-week period.
I was able to learn about the business practices in each of those individual European countries, giving me a better understanding of how business operates on that side of the world compared to the United States. Spending a few days in one city and then moving on to the next city allows you to adapt quickly.
When I first arrived in London, I was scared but excited at the same time because I was in one of the most visited places in the world outside of the United States. Taking a risk to do something that is once in a lifetime chance is worth every risk you take. After being in London for the first four hours I quickly adjusted and had the time of my life being there, especially when I got to experience New Year’s Eve in London.
Once we left London, everything was so easy to adjust to because I was with people that were going through the same process. By going through this experience with others, adjusting was much easier to do. Traveling, in general, may take a toll on you, but you must power through and always have a positive attitude about any situation that arises. The bonds I made with my fellow travelers created friendships that I’m certain will last a lifetime. I am proof of this because I have now gained my absolute best friend from this trip, and we wouldn’t have met each other if it wasn’t for this trip!
International Business Seminars allowed me to experience the full effects of each city for many reasons. The program is set up to allow students to have a city tour in each city and scheduled business visits to give a well-rounded perspective of each city. The great thing about this program is that there is no classroom time, just company visits and fun! Being able to travel to multiple cities and get one-on-one experience with global executives is a once in a lifetime experience that can only be obtained by taking the chance of going on this program.
Don’t hesitate, just do it! My best advice I can give when trying to decide on whether or not to do the program is “Great opportunities may come once in a lifetime, but small opportunities surround us every day!” -Rick Warren.
