Brand Loyalty: A New Perspective
During my second week in Australia, I found myself fixated on an unexpected theme: where are my favorite brands? As a MIDE student, I’ve learned the power of brand loyalty, but here I was as a consumer searching to find my favorite brands in the stores. For instance, after several trips to local chemists and supermarkets, I realized I couldn’t find Crest toothpaste anywhere. While it may seem trivial, I’ve never had to think about toothpaste before—Crest was always there. Now, I’ve had to settle for Colgate, but the moment I land back in the States, I’m going straight back to Crest.
This sense of brand loyalty extended to my food shopping too. While I’m happy to try fresh Aussie produce and products here and there, not seeing my go-to brands—Skippy peanut butter, Perdue chicken nuggets, Boar’s Head deli meats, and Sun Maid raisins—has made grocery trips feel daunting. These brands represent reliability, and being without them makes me feel a bit uneasy.
What’s fascinating is how brand loyalty impacts my judgment, even in seemingly small things like detergent or toothpaste. In a new environment, I find myself questioning the effectiveness of alternatives, wondering if my clothes will still come out clean or if I’ll end up with cavities. This reveals just how deeply ingrained our brand preferences can be, often without us even realizing it.
I think companies like Procter & Gamble should tap into the Australian market because the Aussie’s are missing out on great products and more importantly I miss my familiar products.
Alumni Wisdom: The Value of Connections
This week, we had the privilege of meeting an alumni who has called Sydney home for over 20 years. His life journey—spanning from Philly to Korea, to business success and travel to over 80 countries—was truly inspiring. But what stood out most was his advice. One that resonated with me was the importance of finding a champion: someone who believes in you and your work. It reminded me of something my mom has told me.
He also shared some valuable insights on leadership. His advice was simple: genuinely care about the people you work with. Understand their needs, provide them with opportunities, and foster a culture of support. It’s an approach I plan to adopt in both my professional and personal life moving forward. Finally, the more I interact with Bucknell alumni, the clearer it becomes: success is often about the people who you know. Networking really does matter.
The Sun: A Powerful Reminder
The weather here took a turn for the better this week, with clear skies and minimal rain. But with that came a reminder of how strong the Australian sun can be. As someone who doesn’t tan, I knew sunscreen would be essential, but this week really put that to the test. I got a few mild burns after reading outside before class, but since then I’ve been extra cautious. Here, sunscreen needs to be reapplied every hour, and I’m finding that I often layer it on thick. I’ve been wearing a UV-protective sun shirt, which has been a lifesaver. Armed with Bondi Sands 50+ sunscreen and a large sun hat, I’m doing my best to stay protected. The sun is no joke down under, but I’m ready for it!
Stay tuned for next week’s recap of my adventures!
Cheers!
-Alexa
P.S. I still intend to visit 47 Wallaby Way from Finding Nemo. It didn’t happen this week, but rest assured, it will before I leave Sydney!
