My fifth week in Seoul has been amazing and full of new experiences. This week, I had the opportunity to travel to Gyeongju—a beautiful historical city located in the southern region of South Korea that’s often referred to as “the museum without walls.” Known for its rich cultural heritage and ancient sites, Gyeongju offered a perfect blend of history, nature, and charm. I explored ancient temples, royal tombs, and traditional villages that gave me a deeper appreciation for Korea’s past. The food was absolutely delicious, with local specialties like ssambap and Gyeongju bread quickly becoming new favorites. The people I met were incredibly warm and welcoming, always ready to share stories or help out with directions. And the views—from serene During my time in Korea, I’ve had the opportunity to grow in both soft and hard skills, while also gaining valuable experience navigating cross-cultural environments. This internship has not only allowed me to sharpen technical skills like video editing and filming, but it has also pushed me to become more proactive, communicative, and culturally aware—qualities that are deeply transferable and applicable in any professional setting, both domestically and abroad.
One of the most important soft skills I’ve developed during my internship is proactivity. Working in a fast-paced environment, I quickly realized the importance of staying ahead of deadlines rather than simply meeting them. I’ve learned to manage my time efficiently by breaking larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks and setting internal deadlines well before the official ones. This gives me more flexibility to either improve the quality of my work or take on additional responsibilities. It has also provided a sense of stability and calm, especially when unexpected tasks arise. Being proactive has not only improved my personal workflow but has also demonstrated to my supervisor that I’m reliable and self-motivated—qualities that are appreciated in any team. Another soft skill that has significantly improved is my communication. At the start of my internship, I had some concerns about potential language barriers or cultural miscommunications. However, through experience, I’ve learned how to communicate more clearly and thoughtfully with my boss and colleagues. I’ve practiced being direct but respectful, especially when clarifying expectations or proposing new ideas. I’ve also learned the importance of listening carefully and reading between the lines, as not everything is communicated verbally in the same way it might be in Western contexts. This improved communication has allowed me to collaborate more effectively, resolve misunderstandings quickly, and maintain a positive working relationship with my team. Being able to build strong rapport with a supervisor from a different cultural background has made me more confident in my interpersonal abilities overall. On the technical side, my hard skills have developed tremendously. One of the most tangible improvements has been in my editing abilities. Since starting this internship, I’ve spent countless hours working on various video projects, which has helped me refine my attention to detail, storytelling instincts, and technical efficiency. I’ve become more adept at using editing software, making smoother transitions, correcting color and audio, and creating more cohesive narratives that align with the brand’s style and tone. With every project, I notice improvements in how quickly I can identify the best footage, execute a creative vision, and respond to feedback. The repetitive nature of the work has been a real benefit, turning what were once time-consuming tasks into natural parts of my creative process. In addition, my videography skills have grown significantly. Filming regularly has helped me become more confident with camera equipment, framing shots, adjusting lighting, and thinking critically about composition. I’ve had the opportunity to shoot in a variety of settings—indoors, outdoors, on location, and in studio—which has exposed me to the kinds of challenges videographers face in the field, from unpredictable lighting to changing weather conditions. Through trial and error, I’ve learned how to quickly adapt and still deliver quality footage. These hands-on experiences have given me a strong foundation in video production that I can build upon moving forward in my career.Finally, my global competencies have grown more than I anticipated. Working and living in a different cultural context has taught me how to observe, reflect, and adjust in ways that go beyond simple language differences. I’ve learned to be more mindful of cultural expectations, such as the hierarchical nature of Korean work environments, the value placed on group harmony, and the subtleties of nonverbal communication. These lessons have helped me become more patient, open-minded, and flexible. When cultural differences arise, I now approach them with curiosity and a willingness to learn rather than frustration or confusion. Being able to navigate a cross-cultural professional environment has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this internship. I’ve come to understand that global competence isn’t just about tolerance—it’s about engagement, humility, and empathy. These qualities not only make me a better teammate but also better prepared for future opportunities in international settings or diverse workplaces. In conclusion, my internship experience in Korea has helped me develop a well-rounded set of transferable soft and hard skills, while also strengthening my ability to adapt in cross-cultural environments. I’m confident that these experiences will have a lasting impact on both my personal growth and my professional journey moving forward.

