My trip to Dublin is something that I will not soon forget. I went into Ireland not ever really working in the professional world, much less thinking about any kind of leadership role. I was new to the professional tone people communicate with at work, new to understanding some of the Irish accent, and new to the work culture in a place that’s not the U.S.

As time continued to go on, I grew in every area. My first couple of blog posts were about communication in the workplace. Upon arrival, I would often get confused or frustrated because my boss wouldn’t really be clear with what she wanted or how she wanted it done. That is a stark difference from the work environment I’m used to, so I needed some adjustment to figure it out. About three weeks in, however, I was already far more efficient and figuring out what needed to be done. Not to say I’m a pro yet, but I think it’s important to say that I wouldn’t be new to this work environment in the future. That initial adjustment period, while frustrating at times, was actually one of the most valuable parts of the experience.

The Irish accent is another thing that took some time to get under my belt. For the vast majority of people in Ireland and sayings people use, it’s easy to understand. There were just some times that led to confusion between two different cultures and different styles of speaking English. Or, sometimes my boss would say something too quickly and I would need her to repeat what she said. I don’t think it’s something either person was embarrassed of, it was just a way to professionally make sure I knew what to do. There’s no shame in asking for clarification, especially when the stakes involve completing work correctly. I learned how to listen more closely, ask better questions, and even start to predict what was being asked before it was fully said. That kind of listening and adaptation has already made me better both personally and professionally.

One thing I often glaze over in these blog posts is the technical skills I have been sharpening by working at an internship. From my time in Dublin, I have learned how to run, operate, and maintain a website with thousands of people using it. I’ve learned how to market a company on social media, including how to choose the right tone, schedule posts, and keep the branding consistent. I also learned how to conduct outreach calls in order to connect with other businesses and organizations. That was one of my favorite things to do, getting on the phone and hearing the energy and enthusiasm from the other end. Everyone I spoke with was excited to talk about what they stand for and the different ways we could work together to help our communities. I didn’t expect to enjoy that part of the job as much as I did, but it gave me a newfound confidence when talking to professionals and strangers alike.

These technical skills are incredibly valuable, and they’re only more useful when combined with the soft skills I’ve built at the same time. I’ve improved how I carry myself in meetings, how I write emails, and how I navigate the daily back-and-forth that is just part of working with a team. I’ve learned the importance of being dependable and proactive, of checking in with updates instead of waiting to be asked, and of following through even when no one’s watching. These are all skills that will absolutely carry over into future jobs and internships.

I know that all of these areas of growth are things that I can take with me to other internships in the future. Every business has a different work environment, so the skills I garnered in Dublin will allow me to adapt to whatever niche environment my next employer has. On top of that, communication always has the opportunity for difficulty. By living in a different country for two months, I have gained considerable skill in making my point easy to understand—clear and concise. Not only that, but I have also made leaps in reading between the lines and understanding what is expected of me even when it is not explicitly stated. It’s one thing to be told exactly what to do and how to do it, it’s another thing to take vague guidance and figure it out on your own. That’s where I’ve really grown.

All of these things will allow me to thrive in the future. I feel more prepared now than ever before to enter the professional world, not just because I’ve built a resume, but because I’ve built experience. I’ve been through real work situations, handled real deadlines, and worked with real clients. And through all of that, I’ve stayed flexible, open to learning, and committed to doing a good job.

I am extremely glad that I went through with the Dublin abroad internship, and I thank Pitt for the opportunity to grow exponentially. This wasn’t just a trip or a job, it was a personal and professional transformation. I came in unsure of what I could contribute, and I left with proof that I can adapt, communicate, and succeed in an unfamiliar environment. That’s not something I’ll ever take for granted.