As I count down the days until our group departs for Panama City, I can only reflect on what lays ahead of me. I am very excited to travel outside the United States because this trip will differ from the previous times I went abroad. The first time I traveled to Jamacia with my family as a toddler, so I hardly remember that experience. My second time abroad I visited Mexico as a port during a cruise and noticing how Americanized the port was, I personally do not see it as truly visiting Mexico. So, while I have technically been abroad, I feel this will be the first time I can truly experience being outside the United States. Although I am excited to travel, the recent airplane incidences have me made a little anxious to fly. However, I want to focus on the positive instead of worrying about the worst-case scenario. The biggest positive about this study abroad opportunity allows me to travel with a group of like-minded Culverhouse students wanting to learn more about business. When we make our company visits, I expect everyone in the group to be eager and attentive, so we all gain as much insight as possible to implement within our SWOT analyses. Outside of company visits, I believe that some group members will be more adventurous than others during our time in Panama. Personally, I like to play things safe, however I hope everyone gets the most of our time exploring the city. As for expectations for myself, I believe that I will spend my time soaking in this once-in-a-lifetime experience by just taking moments to appreciate my surroundings. That is something I found myself doing often in New York City last summer, especially in Times Square, so I think I will also have moments similar in Panama. In preparation for the trip, I have drafted questions to ask while on company visits, so I hope to get answers to my questions and be able to implement responses into my SWOT analysis. Looking back last semester, I believe that I was so focused on adjusting to college and maintaining my grades that I did not truly appreciate what is in store for me, but now with the trip around the corner and being more academically acclimated, the adventure I have in front of me is now setting in. Not only do I hope to gain an immersive business education in Panama, but memories that will last a lifetime.
