This trip was an experience like no other. I had never been to Europe before so this was easily the best two months of my life so far. I remember how nervous and scared I was to be abroad for so long. I am great at adapting to new environments, but due to its foreign nature, I had no background knowledge to base it off of. Also, I was the only guy from my school on this program which limited my resources to prepare me for this trip. However, I continued to stay open-minded and care-free to keep my nerves calm in order to make the most of this journey.
To no surprise, I did just that. Towards the end of my program, I noticed a change in my demeanor and mentality. In many ways, I saw growth in myself like I have never seen before. This unique opportunity has sparked a change in my life that I will continue to carry with me personally, throughout my time left in college, and career wise. On a personal level, my maturity strengthened in how I presented myself in social scenes and conversations. My word choice was much more refined and I began to enjoy the little things, taking my time in settings where I used to rush. Also, I have always been attentive in the way I dress but my sense of fashion definitely heightened while in Europe. I believe being in a work setting for the majority of my time played a major role in this as I had to look much more presentable than I do back home on a daily basis. Finally, I learned how to be more aware of my surroundings as being immersed in an unfamiliar setting can be very dangerous when dealing with a new language and culture. I was cautious with my whereabouts at all times and made sure to intensely research to prevent putting myself in uncomfortable situations. Academically, I saw a change in my writing style as these reports and my own personal journaling strengthened my creative writing and increased my dictionary. Also, in my internship, I saw firsthand different material that correlates with my studies which I plan to utilize the knowledge I gained back in the classroom. From a professional standpoint, I built upon my core competencies of communication and teamwork, as I was constantly working with my departments. I became a better leader, learning how to take initiative when tasks were not assigned to me and seeking out to help others in any way. I also learned the importance of networking and building professional relationships from a global context. For example, when receiving feedback from my supervisor, he was very impressed with my work ethic and attitude. We respect one another and he has become a life-long connection that I plan to stay in touch with, and hopefully cross paths again.
Throughout my experience, there were many key takeaways I identified that I plan to bring back to Pitt and carry into my future career. The most important takeaway is learning how to be self-aware. Leaders who are self-aware are better at managing teams, making strategic decisions, and fostering a positive work environment. I also gained better control of my emotions and managed my reactions, both personally and professionally. Being more self-aware will guide me through projects in the classroom and interviews in the workplace. Another takeaway was the importance of adaptability. It takes courage to live in an unfamiliar setting with no prior knowledge. Being able to overcome challenges at any given moment and understanding things can change in a New York minute is beneficial in any scenario. As I stayed open minded, I was able to adapt to everything I faced, staying quick on my feet and making crucial decisions when needed.
Overall, I am thankful to have this experience and cannot thank Pitt Global Experiences Office enough for making this possible. I invite anyone who reads my series of blogs to look into studying abroad, whether in Prague or somewhere else. There are so many lessons and opportunities given that you cannot experience anywhere else. I am happy to be back home with my family but I do wish I could relive my life in Prague one more time. As I head back to campus in a week, I am excited to take what I learn and shed my knowledge onto my friends and professors. These memories will last forever and I am glad I was able to document this journey with pictures/journals. Signing off for the last time, thank you Prague for everything.
