Throughout my time in Sydney, I have had the blessing of developing new soft and hard skills through the simple daily challenges I face. Adaptability and problem solving are soft skills that anyone who travels will learn to develop in there time away. Navigating a brand-new place is bound to have challenges, so being able to adapt is crucial. My adaptability and problem-solving skills have developed the more time I spend away from home, with more and more obstacles that surface. Another soft skill I have been able to develop with my time abroad is communication skills. Learning how to properly communicate with my supervisors and professors given potential barriers, as well as continuing to communicate with people back home has come with its fair share of challenges. It’s been a bit of a difficult challenge learning to best communicate with those who are not here in Sydney with me, however it is a soft skill I believe I have grown exponentially.
Some hard skills I’ve developed with my time are data analysis as well as vendor and sponsorship negotiations. Within my internship I am tracking and reporting on ticket sales and donations, this has allowed me to develop my skills in excel which provides me the ability to critically analyze the results from week to week. Another task I am working on is prize sourcing for 2 major events that my company puts on throughout the year. Through all of the emails I have sent aiming to gain prizes, I have developed ways in which to negotiate with potential donors.
Interacting with locals have continued to show me the importance of moving through life with an open mind. Through all the people I have met in my travels I’m learning about many cross-cultural differences, and what makes certain places special and unique compared to others. These experiences have provided me with so much more perspective on life, considering how everyone around the world lives such different lives, through what they do and the culture they have. However, the more I travel and meet people in different places the more I’m reminded how similar people are deep down. Personally, cross-cultural experiences, although scary and uncomfortable, continue to showcase the innate kindness and curiosity that sits within humans.
I have truly been able to develop my confidence and independence abroad. Navigating challenges alone has been extremely rewarding and has provided me confidence to continue traveling and capitalizing on opportunities that may scare me. This experience has been unlike any other and I am truly grateful for my time abroad.