What Studying Abroad Taught Me About the Business Leader I Want to Be

When I was given the opportunity to study in Portugal, I expected it to change my personal worldview. What I did not anticipate was that it would change my perception of doing business. 

As a business major and currently an intern working in the United States, I became aware of a whole new way of doing business, something different from the norm here at home. There were two major takeaways for me as a business student.

First, businesses in Europe were much more humanistic and community-minded. More specifically, I noticed a fundamentally different relationship with the workplace. There was a clear boundary between intense focus and stepping away to recharge, including professionals who often spent less time tied to actual offices.

As a result, while business school is teaching me the theories of how the business ecosystem operates, my time abroad showed me how those theories come alive when our actions are rooted in community and human connection. 

Portugal, Ireland, and Morocco

Second, communication seemed to be valued differently in the countries that I visited.

• Portugal, business meetings were held in relaxed, informal settings that prioritized organic conversation.
• Ireland, humor and warmth characterized the corporate atmosphere.
• Morocco, communication and face-to-face negotiations were crucial for doing business.

This is very different from what I’ve learned in business school, where communication is often framed as a tool, or a strategy for negotiation or leadership. Abroad, communication isn’t just a skill, it’s the culture.

Abroad, communication isn’t just a skill, it’s the culture.

The American professional can benefit from this perspective. Collaboration works more effectively if there’s a connection among people. Customers remain loyal if they’re appreciated, and innovation becomes possible if individuals feel comfortable voicing their thoughts. This perspective actually supports something the U.S. already does exceptionally well: putting large amounts of money into innovation. American companies invest significantly more into Research and Development, and when people feel genuinely free to share ideas without fear of burnout, those massive investments can translate into real, breakthrough progress.

As an intern preparing to enter the workforce full-time, I am trying to blend both worlds: the structure and strategy I am learning in college, and the humanity, balance, and community I saw abroad. Rather than viewing this as a critique of the American system, I see it as a blueprint for the kind of professional I want to become, someone who values people, not just productivity, and who communicates kindly, not just efficiently. My semester abroad didn’t just teach me about new cultures; it taught me that business can be more connected, more balanced, and more human. And that’s a lesson I’ll carry into my professional life going forward.