Greetings from the United States!
I didn’t think it was possible for time to fly as fast as it did these past three weeks. I feel like it was just yesterday when I first boarded a U-Bahn, or when I met my roommate for the first time and instantly clicked, or when I tried my first original Berliner currywurst mit-pommes-frites, topped not just with ketchup or just mayo, but with both (but not mixed together of course). I made connections with young, bright, and determined students from all over the globe, from Kansas to Calcutta, who are all crazy enough to think that they can change the world. Nonetheless, I’ve never met a group of people more capable.
As a first time traveling abroad alone, especially it being my first time traveling to a European city, I knew this trip would be bountiful in life lessons that were not limited to my business education. The most important lesson that I received from this trip did not come from the classroom, case studies, cuisine, or site visits, but from the friends that I made. Meeting many new people from all around the world not only further instilled the importance of appreciating our friends’ cultural differences, but that we all have plenty of similarities that should not be overlooked. In the grand scheme of things, many of us live similar lives and hold many of the same outlooks in life.
I picked up on this during the early days of the program when my classmates and I were getting to know each other. We inquired about what our daily routines were before embarking on this study abroad program, hobbies, what we did back home for fun, student culture similarities and differences from back home, different traditions, and so on. The more I got to know and befriend my classmates, the more we both realized how similar we all were. In essence, we enjoy good music, going out with our friends, having the educational freedom that university gives students. Evidently, the highlights of adolescent life in countries like India, Russia, Albania, and Brazil correspond to what it’s like the United States as well. I don’t feel Americans my age grasp the similarities we share to people our age outside of our country. With this enlightenment, I believe Americans would come to realize the futility of our xenophobia
Learning about other populations of the world and staying digitally connected is not only good for humanity, but good for business as well. This is why workplace diversity is so imperative; it boosts productivity and creates opportunity for the firm, the firm’s employees, and other partners.
The takeaway here is that, all in all, ignorance and arrogance are mighty hindrances toward any objective. It holds you back from making meaningful connections or conducting any meaningful business, and therefore, it is impossible to maximize your opportunities. A study abroad student that does not take chances and try new things is left less enlightened after the trip. An industry leader that does not stay current will fail against more innovative and agile competitors.
Sure, we all have differences that make us unique, which we should embrace, but ultimately, we’re all human, so let’s treat each other humanely.
