Observations:

Culture, Expectations & Application

Cultural Differences

German was the national language in both Germany and Austria, so it was easy to forget that Innsbruck wasn't a German city because the food and language were the same. It was interesting and surprising that in Germany and Austria, most all businesses except restaurants were closed on Sundays. In the US, many will run errands and get a lot done on Sundays, but this was not possible here because all we could go and "do" was to go out to eat. This exposed us to new labor laws, business structures and the blurred lines between religion and government in terms of to city operations.

I was excited to go back to Prague because of the cheaper prices and familiarity, but didn't anticipate the language adjustment to be startling. I found myself saying "hallo" and "dánke" instead of "dobrý den" and "Děkuji," so I think being in a German-speaking environment for so long made going back to a Czech environment slightly harder.

General differences between the US and Europe:

- enforced quiet hours

- most public transportation is not verified or scanned during entry/exit

- tipping is not customary at most restaurants

- different school calendar at universities

- organized COVID restrictions (masking expectations, vaccination status checked regularly, some businesses closed, etc.)

Pre-Conceived Notions

Having been to Europe once before, I didn't expect the adjustment to be that challenging. I expected to navigate the cities well because English seemed to be widely understood, especially in highly populated areas.

I also anticipated loving the big city atmosphere in Prague and Munich. I have always dreamed of living in DC or NYC in the future, and was excited to experience a big city in another country. I was initially less excited about the smaller cities because I thought I would long for the hustle and bustle that I had with the other cities. When I heard we weren't going to Vienna anymore, I couldn't help but be disappointed.

In terms of leadership, I approached this program with confidence, as I had already had leadership opportunities in the past. I expected more content regarding how to lead other groups of people, or various conflict-management strategies. I felt like I understood my leadership style and what leadership meant to me.

Actual Experience

Overhearing small-talk conversations in a language I couldn't understand was hard to get used to. There was so much I felt like I missed because of a language barrier, whether that be public transportation directions, menu items, or simple greetings when in a store. There was also an unexpected sense of guilt when I had to make someone accommodate to me and speak English due to my lack of German or Czech skills.

I also enjoyed the smaller cities more than I thought I would. By the time we were leaving for Reutlingen, I was ready for a break in a smaller city. Our trips to Tubingen or Schliersee ended up being highlights of the trip because we got to see the culture of the country better. Innsbruck was by far my favorite stop. I loved the atmosphere of the city- it perfectly balanced appealing to tourists and its local population, and I noticed that they clearly valued outdoor recreation.

I was shocked at how much I learned about myself as a leader. Various personality or management styles tests were crucial in helping me better understand my decision-making process in previous leadership roles. Once these characteristics become identifiable, I could recall past experiences where the traits were clear in my actions.

Applications for future team scenarios