The Chris Experience

28th Jun 201928th Jun 2019

History In The Future: Vienna

One of the things I have never seen anywhere is how the Viennese value and uphold their history. Their rich history is very well preserved and they use that to compare recent events. One of our speakers during the first day in Vienna talked about how there are similar events in Austria’s history and how they were repeating themselves. Tour guides and professors that I talked to also mention the importance of history because of the many things we can learn and appreciate from them. Specifically, learning how history dealt with their problems and how the future generations can learn from it to prevent such things from happening again. It is a very progressive way of thinking and Canada should learn a thing or two about them. The following photographs represent how history is preserved through the well-maintained historical buildings.

A historical building towering the Plaza along the St. Stevens church.

The accumulation of pollution throughout the ages stained the St. Stevens Church, which gives it the black color.

One of the many buildings in The Plaza. It is very well maintained .

Modern business intertwine with old Baroque architecture in The Plaza.

The ceiling mural at St. Michael’s Church that dates back to the 13th century.

12th Jul 2019

Italy Makes You Want To Make A Family

I never really thought about my friends as family. They were nothing but people who hang out with me when I am bored. That all changed though in the short two weeks I spent in Italy.

**Bubble Buddies:** Two Italian kids having fun in the square.

Interpersonal relationship values helped weave the fabric of Italian culture which brought up the question, “what is family to me?”. I know that I have a strong relationship with my parents and my siblings, but I never really thought about my friends as family.

Evelyn (left) and Delilah (right) as we were waiting for lunch.

Throughout the tour, I met all sorts of people from all walks of life. Meeting new people gave me a new outlook in life and gave me a strategy to move up in the world.

(Left to right) Joe, Mark and Mitchell waiting to get into Granarolo

Maintaining and strengthening relationships are key factors in the success of business in Italy. This field school trip helped me understand the value of these connections and how I can use them to my advantage.

9th Jul 2019

Why depression does not exist in Italy

It is simple: Italians talk to each other.

We were tasked to interview CUOA students to find out more about the students and what their aspirations are in life. I interviewed CUOA student, Edoardo Agugiardo who is finishing up his degree in business.

As the interview progressed, I asked about depression and if it was a big thing nationally. I asked because I too was a college student and I thought it was a social issue like it is in North America.

Edoardo looked confused and asked me multiple times what “depression” was. I had difficulty explaining it to him and honestly, I think he just nodded and pretended to understand to be polite.

Edoardo Aguigardo, 26, has a degree in engineering and is currently a business student at CUOA.

After some time, he did recognize the word “mental illness” and “sadness” as maybe he thought it was a medical thing.

So, I asked him why he thinks that depression is not a societal issue. His answer was simple,” I talk to people about my problems”. He goes out and talks a lot to his friends and family on his free time. He also says that he felt free talking to them about anything for hours.

BCIT students interviewing other CUOA students as required by the instructor.

That got me thinking that maybe not only Canada, but North America in general, can learn a thing or two about Italian culture. That as a society, one of our biggest challenges today can be solved by just talking to the person beside us.