This experience taught me more than just international consulting. It challenged my perspectives on ethics, equity, and intercultural collaboration. One of the most impactful readings for me was about power dynamics and points of discomfort in business relationships. I realized how easy it is to impose well-intentioned ideas without fully grasping the local context. This was emphasized in our in-class discussions about fair trade learning, where mutual benefit and humility are key. At the start of the program, I was mostly focused on deliverables and logistics, but over time, I began to value relationship-building and process just as much as the final product. We also studied conflict management and team dynamics, which became essential during moments of stress in our group. Learning how to respectfully disagree and make space for different voices helped us avoid groupthink and ensure each idea was considered. Compared to my initial expectations, which centered around helping the client, I now see this work as more reciprocal because we learn just as much from them as they do from us. In our case, I honestly think they taught us more.
Role identification is a transferable skill that I gained from this course that I could now utilize as both a manager and as a group member. Role identification balances equity and individualization because it ensures that everyone is doing something, but that their task is unique to their skills, bandwidth, and capabilities. Once I graduate, I will be in a supervisor role in a hotel in both Human Resources and Front Office. When I am overseeing teams and groups of people, I want to make sure that everyone is contributing to the team’s goals and that they’re doing so in a way that is comfortable to them and within their realm of capabilities. This skill helps with team morale, productivity, and retention which are all crucial in my industry. Through the GSL Bolivia experience, I learned how to assess my teammates’ strengths quickly, especially in a fast-paced environment, and helped to delegate accordingly. This skill will help me lead without micromanaging, something that is essential for effective leadership in dynamic settings.
The existing relationship between Pitt and our in-country partner was both a safety net and a compass. Because there was trust already established, we could focus more on innovation and less on credibility. CEOLI did not hesitate to share information with us that we needed for our deliverables. That said, some vulnerabilities in the relationship such as unclear expectations or different understandings of feasibility did slow us down. These could likely be contributed to cultural barriers, but it also felt like our student group was supposed to already know things that we didn’t, but odds are other collaborators at Pitt did. These challenges were learning opportunities. By continuing with the project, showing flexibility, and listening with respect, I believe our group helped reinforce that trust and laid groundwork for future collaboration. I also learned that relationships are foundational when working across cultures. Without trust and open communication, even the most technically perfect solution can fall flat. This project taught me that the “how” is just as important as the “what” – how you engage with people, how you listen, and how you adjust your thinking based on their input.
In a professional interview, I would describe this project as a cross-cultural consulting experience where I applied project management, communication, and ethical decision-making skills in a real-world environment. I’d highlight how I worked with an international client to deliver sustainable recommendations, navigated power dynamics, and adapted to changing conditions while leading within a team. I would also note how this experience pushed me to develop empathy-driven leadership. This experience also challenged us with a fair amount of set backs as some of our ideas were not feasible. We had to be continuously motivated and creative. I would also share how this experience taught me to embrace uncertainty. There were times we weren’t sure what the client wanted or what the best path forward was. Instead of waiting for clarity, we moved forward with intention, and refined as we learned. That kind of adaptive thinking is what I want to bring into any workplace.
To future groups, remember that everyone chose to be here and that you’re all working towards achieving the same deliverables. Some of the setbacks with this project can feel harsher due to the nature of the course being so fast-paced and with everyone so invested in the outcome. Don’t be discouraged if Ronald or someone else determines that one of your ideas won’t be feasible. It’s not a personal attack or anyone saying that your idea is bad. Your idea might be great, but the supervisors of this project have more awareness of the local laws and the community and can tell you if the idea is sustainable or legal. As much as we are told to invest in a relationship with the client, be doing the same with your group members. The better the professional relationships are within the group, the easier it will be for the group to navigate any issues that might arise. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your community for support. This is a really unique project that people are quick to support because of how powerful CEOLI’s mission is and Pitt’s ongoing relationship with them.
One of the most surprising takeaways from this experience was how much discomfort can actually signal growth. Whether it was managing group tension, adjusting to cultural differences, or realizing my own assumptions, I now see discomfort as a signal to pause and reflect, not retreat. This course pushed me out of my comfort zone, but in doing so, it helped me grow into a more thoughtful professional and a more aware global citizen. As I move forward in my career, I’ll carry the lessons of this project with me: listen before speaking, adapt with grace, and always center human relationships even when working with metrics, deliverables, and deadlines. I truly did get so much out of this course as my completely filled All People Be Happy journal can attest.
