I can’t believe that it is my final week in Prague. It is insane how fast the time has flown by and even more insane that in less than a week I will be on my way back home. I couldn’t have asked for more out of this experience. It has changed my life forever, and given me memories that I will carry with me always. I am going to miss Prague so much, I’ll miss my everyday walk to my internship, the beautiful buildings, beautiful sunsets, and the life that I have built here in just 8 weeks. This summer has been truly unforgettable, and while I am sad to leave, I can’t wait to be home and tell all my friends and family about the amazing memories that I have made.
Being in the Czech Republic has taught me many things. One of the main things being communication. The Czech communication style differs greatly from the communication style in America. And just like many things when spending time abroad, this takes some getting used to.
In the Czech Republic, communication tends to lean more towards the low-context end of the spectrum. This means that interactions are generally direct, and messages are conveyed with clear and precise language. As a marketing intern, this has been both refreshing and challenging. The clarity helps in executing tasks efficiently, but it also means that there is less reliance on implied meanings or shared understanding.
However, coming from a more high-context culture where nuances and implied meanings play a significant role, I initially found it challenging to adjust. In high-context cultures, a lot of communication is understood through context, body language, and tone, rather than explicit words. This difference required a period of adjustment, especially in professional settings where directness is paramount.
Aswell as this, at first it was easy to take the directness of Czech communication as rude, or an insult to me. Understanding that this is not the case has allowed me to become more aware and understand different communication styles. Which will only help me in my life moving forward both professionally and personally.
My time in Prague has made me a better communicator through and through. And this is not only in a professional setting. While abroad, you have to advocate for yourself a lot, and be very clear in order to get what you need. I have developed these skills which I will take with me to use in my future in both my personal and professional life.
In the office, miscommunications are inevitable in such an intercultural environment, and I have encountered some. It can be easy sometimes to get frustrated at the directness that some of my colleagues speak with, especially in the beginning. When this occurs, it is important for me to continue to remember that it is not a personal attack on me or my work, but instead professional feedback that can only help me. Once realizing this, much of the frustration has disappeared, and communicating has become much more effective and efficient.
To overcome this, I made a conscious effort to ask clarifying questions and seek feedback actively. This not only helped in aligning my expectations but also fostered a more open and productive dialogue with my team. Over time, I learned to appreciate the straightforwardness and efficiency of low-context communication.
My work environment is not hybrid, so I go into the office everyday. This has allowed me to continue to seek feedback more actively and to ask questions to ensure that I am doing everything how I am supposed to.
Working at Move To Prague has been an eye-opening experience in understanding and navigating communication differences. The shift from high-context to low-context communication required adaptability and a willingness to learn.
Main takeaways from my internship regarding communication would be to embrace the directness, seek clarity, and be open to learning. The experience has not only enhanced my professional skills but also provided invaluable insights into intercultural communication.
For my last weekend in Europe, I traveled to Rome, Italy. I have been to Italy many times to visit my family but haven’t been to Rome since I was very young. It was very hot (averaging 100 degrees everyday I was there). However, the trip was still amazing. Being surrounded by such beauty, history, and culture made for a perfect weekend. I am so grateful to have been able to travel so much this summer, while still experiencing Czech culture and taking a deep dive into Prague. I will miss Prague so so much, and look forward to the day when I can come back.
