When arriving in Paris, I was instantly met with excitement. The air smelled like fresh pastries and coffee, and the cobblestone streets were buzzing with people from all over the world. I had never traveled outside of the U.S., let alone worked in an international business setting, but this experience would change my perspective in ways I never expected.

One of the most impactful parts of my time abroad was working with a Parisian startup. We were tasked with consulting with them to find ways to reach their goal of expanding into the U.S. market. I was initially nervous that our input would not be very useful; however, as we talked more, I realized how much our perspective actually mattered to them. It enhanced the importance of cultural awareness in business which is so important in maintaining partnerships.

On a personal level, studying abroad pushed me to be more open-minded, and go out of my comfort zone. Before I left, I heard all the typical stereotypes about Parisians being rude to Americans, which made me a little nervous about how we would be treated. I tried my best to learn about their culture and even try to learn some French on a language learning app; but when it comes down to it, the respect goes both ways. I found that as long as I remained respectful and respected their language and culture, they respected me as well. I also utilized nonverbal communication. No matter what language you speak, sometimes you can’t rely on words alone, which is why I tried to read body language, tone, and gestures.

The biggest cultural differences that stood out to me was work life balance. In the U.S., we have a “workaholic” mindset, answering emails outside of work hours, working late, etc. It is almost the opposite in France. Many people in Paris don’t work in August and get lots of vacation time. They don’t tend to answer work calls or emails outside of a work environment while many Americans do.

A common misconception about study abroad is that it’s just a vacation, but this is not the case. Studying abroad challenges you and proves your ability to adapt to new environments. It made me more open-minded, gave me real-world business experience, and completely changed the way I view the world.

If anyone is considering whether or not they should do study abroad—do it. It will push you out of your comfort zone, show you a new and rich culture, and give you stories you’ll remember for the rest of your life!

Name: Shae Buroker
Status: Junior
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Canton, Michigan
Program: Entrepreneurship in Europe