My name is Jurgen. I work for Ecco, a firm that makes shoes. Every year my firm sends me abroad, usually to Thailand. But last year they sent me to Chicago. I went to Chicago because the firm bought a new factory there last year. In the United States I ran a seminar that the firm held for our new suppliers. I was giving a presentation and was speaking at meetings every day. I really enjoyed my time in the United States. Usually when I go on a business trip I meet lots of people but did not make any good friends because of the culture gap. But in the United States it was very different. I found that all the people I met were very friendly. They had even thrown a big party for me before I left.