Blog post written by Kevin Saladino
This program taught me much about the way I interact in groups and about how much I miss the on-campus, in person experience. Though I was technically away from GWU, it was a different world to be able to work with people in person. I found that I can thrive in the right group and I think that I have met some individuals that I will be friends with for years to come. As for things I wish I had known, taking time before the trip to conduct research as to how to get to and from hotels and areas in the city that I wanted to see would have served the most benefit. I took a lot of time (which was already in short supply) trying to figure out how to locate the “best coffee in Stockholm” for a proper Fika.
It has been a while since I made a pitch, and during the presentation our team made to Volvo, I remembered how much I liked having people’s attention and what it was like to translate a message, in person, with some room to ad-lib. During the process of our group putting together printed material for Volvo, and because I was impressed by the work that one of the team members put together, I am learning to how to design. In addition, I am speaking Spanish more often as many of the people in the program spoke it and it was nice to be able to practice, to a varying degree of success.
This experience did in fact change me. Though I have now been to 20 countries, I had no real experience in Sweden. Sure, I have heard of IKEA and all, but this is a very short sighted and isolationist view. When I was in Sweden and in the program, I was able to speak with native Swedes, have good coffee (with a strength I have never experienced before) and see two beautiful cities-Stockholm and Gothenburg. I believe that being Swedish and having Swedish pride is important and that the culture should be explored by foreigners, like me. After the event with Volvo concluded, I had two conversations with the employees and learned about their lives and what they cared about. One even gave me some career advice that I fully plan on implementing (as soon as my class is over).
I think that one of the bigger things that I took out of the program was that I was taken out of my comfort zone – away from Florida, the US and everyone I knew. I know that improvement is a process and it will take time, though if I push myself like the way the study abroad pushed me, I can achieve my goal. Though the team I was on did not ultimately win the competition, I am proud of all of the groups and how we represented GWSB. I think that we all did a great job with the assignment and that Volvo will be able to use some of what we presented to them. I will treasure the opportunity I had to work with the group I did, to have met the people I did, and of course to make professional connections. Though, in conclusion, I didn’t get to try a famous Sweden cinnamon bun, so I suppose I have to make the trip back.
