During my internship, I’ve learned that technical skills are only part of the job. Of course, having strong research, design, or programming skills is important, but the people who are most respected in my lab are also dependable and willing to work well with others. Since the projects involve researchers, doctors, engineers, and designers, being able to collaborate across different fields is just as important as doing your own work well.

I’ve also noticed that professionalism and respect are a big part of workplace culture in South Korea. People come to meetings prepared and are respectful of everyone’s time. My coworkers are always happy to answer questions, but there’s also an expectation that you’ll try to figure things out on your own first. I like that balance because it encourages both independence and teamwork.

Compared to the United States, I think the biggest difference is how success is viewed. In the US, people are usually encouraged to stand out, share their ideas, and highlight their individual accomplishments. In my lab, success seems to be more about consistently doing good work and helping the team succeed. People are proud of what they do but they don’t brag about it or try to draw attention to themselves.

Working in this environment has shown me that there’s more than one way to be successful at work. Every culture has different expectations and values different qualities, but being dependable, respectful, and willing to learn are important everywhere. It’s also reminded me that some of the best work and progress happens when people with different backgrounds and areas of expertise come together to solve a problem!

My trip to Jeonju: