Tutte le Cose Belle Devono Finire
- DeMario Davidson
- Jul 31, 2022
- 2 min read
As the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end.” I am so honored and appreciative to have had the opportunity to see the beauty of another country and culture and to have lived in it for a short time. This will not be my last trip to Italy. With that said, I would like to use my final SEAM blog to discuss some of my key takeaways.
Work Ethic
There is a somewhat stereotypical idea surrounding Italians and their relationships with work. The idea is that Americans live for work while Italians work to live. I will say that my experience was an interesting one. During my time at the Consorzio del Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, I was given the freedom to work as I saw fit. I set the pace, the deadlines, and to a degree, my goals. While most people would think of this work environment as a dream, I was nervous initially. In America, all tasks are often managed; however, I was my manager in Italy. This was a time when I appreciated my natural work ethic. I did not take my freedom for granted. Let’s remember, Italy has a thriving economy. That means work is being done.
Studying Isn’t Just For Academia
Success does not just happen. When traveling, to immerse yourself successfully, you must study the culture. When working for a new organization, examining the brand and its consumers will lead to success. This reflective piece was the most essential to my success over the summer. While working with Consorzio, I had to truly study and know the brand to consult for them and effectively create meaningful and relevant content. I sat and spoke with the events and communications manager on multiple occasions. I took to the internet to see what others were saying, and most importantly, I lived and breathed the culture of Montepulciano.
Be Present
On a more personal note, a goal that I had set to accomplish during my travels was to live in the moment. Having traveled internationally during my military service, I know taking it all in is valuable. My first traveling experience was filled with all work and no play. I wanted to ensure that that was not the case for this excursion. I saw so many beautiful historical monuments, ate some of the best food, and had an overall fantastic trip. As I move beyond this moment and into the next, I will continue to be present and enjoy what is right before my eyes.
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