Spending the summer living and working in Seoul was one of the most transformative experiences of my academic and personal life. It was more than just a chance to gain professional skills—it was an opportunity to step into a new culture, adapt to a different pace of life, and learn how to navigate challenges far outside my comfort zone.
As I head into my next semester at the University of Pittsburgh, I am already thinking about how to apply what I learned. The biggest skill I am bringing back with me is the ability to manage multiple priorities and stay organized in a setting where plans change often. College life can be unpredictable too, and I now feel more prepared to keep calm under pressure and adjust my approach when needed. I also gained a stronger appreciation for collaboration and the importance of asking questions early rather than waiting until confusion sets in. Looking forward, I believe this experience will influence the way I handle future jobs, internships, and creative projects. I know how to better advocate for myself, communicate with clarity, and be more strategic in how I use my time. I also feel more confident working with people from different cultural backgrounds and navigating cross-cultural communication. I now understand that professional success often depends as much on adaptability and cultural sensitivity as it does on technical skill. Overall, my time in Seoul was not just an internship experience. It was a chance to challenge myself, grow beyond what I thought I was capable of, and gain real tools that I will continue to use for years to come. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and hopeful that this is just the beginning of many more experiences working in global and classroom environments.
To wrap up this reflection, I would like to say thanks to my donors (for the CBA Global Award and the Martinson Elevate Award), without whom I would not have had any of these experiences. I thank the Pitt CBA Global team for their clear and fast communication and their amazing effort to make this program as stress-free as possible. I would also like to thank Absolute Internship and their on-site coordinators, who helped make living in another country easier, and lastly, I extend thanks to TooSix Media Group – my bosses, my fellow interns, and employees – for being wonderful to work with and for. I will carry these relationships, skills, and memories with me into my future semesters at Pitt and Beyond!