Before starting this internship abroad, I wouldn’t have described myself as someone with a strong leadership style. I saw myself more as a collaborator. Someone who contributes, listens, and helps move things forward, but not necessarily the one making final calls or directing a group. I think part of that came from not always feeling confident enough to take charge, and part of it was just not seeing myself in traditional “leader” roles. I associated leadership with things like being the loudest voice in the room or taking on the most responsibility, and that didn’t really feel like me.

But working at Carvago and living abroad these past several weeks has definitely challenged that perception and helped me see leadership in a new light. It’s shown me that leadership isn’t just about managing others it’s also about how you manage yourself. At Carvago, I’ve had to take initiative on technical tasks that don’t always come with clear instructions. That means not only figuring out solutions, but also documenting what I did, why I did it, and what I learned from it so the rest of the team can follow along and build on it. That kind of self-leadership and being able to organize my thinking and communicate it effectively has been a big shift for me.

In one of the recent projects I worked on, I was tasked with refining a model pipeline for evaluating car listings. The task itself was open-ended, and I had to do a lot of exploration to find out what was working, what wasn’t, and what could be improved. Instead of waiting for exact instructions or feedback every step of the way, I started creating short write-ups at the end of each sprint where I walked through my process, decisions, and questions. At first, I just did it for myself to stay organized. But soon, a few team members mentioned how helpful those notes were in understanding my work and picking up where I left off. That’s when I realized that leadership isn’t always about directing others it can be about creating visibility and structure in ways that support the whole team.

Outside of the office, I also had a chance to step into a more traditional leadership role this past weekend during a trip to Barcelona with two friends. Since there were only three of us, and we didn’t have a fixed plan, I ended up taking the lead in figuring out the logistics. I found places to see, mapped out a rough itinerary for the day, and made sure we had backup options in case something didn’t work out. It wasn’t anything super formal, but it was the first time in a while that I felt like I was guiding a group in a new place. What surprised me was how natural it felt once I got started. I wasn’t barking orders or micromanaging, just trying to make sure we were all on the same page and making the most of our time. And my friends appreciated having some structure without it being rigid.

That experience helped me realize that leadership can also be about setting the tone, being the one who stays calm when plans shift, who stays curious instead of frustrated, and who keeps everyone moving forward with a positive attitude. Even just being the one who says, “Hey, here’s an idea for what we can do next,” can create momentum. That’s a form of leadership I never really valued before, but I’m starting to recognize in myself more and more.

This internship has also made me think about cultural differences in leadership. In the U.S., leadership often feels more individualistic and is focused on taking charge, standing out, or getting credit. At Carvago, I’ve noticed that leadership feels more collaborative and understated. People are respected not for how loud they are, but for how clearly they communicate, how reliable they are, and how well they support others. That’s a leadership style I really connect with, and it’s made me rethink what kind of leader I want to be.

I’m learning that I don’t have to fit a single mold or become someone I’m not. Instead, I can grow into a leadership style that reflects my strengths: being thoughtful, organized, and proactive. Whether that’s creating documentation to support a team, planning a weekend itinerary for friends, or just being the person who brings clarity when things feel uncertain, those are all leadership moments in their own way.

Overall, this experience has helped me become more confident in my ability to lead, even in small or unexpected ways. I’ve learned that leadership doesn’t always have to be loud—it can be quiet, intentional, and rooted in empathy. And that kind of leadership is just as valuable, both in and out of the workplace.