As I wrap up my summer in Korea, I’ve taken time to look back on what this experience meant to me. Overall, it was solid. I’m proud of the work I did and the growth I’ve seen in myself, but this wasn’t a vacation or a study abroad program where I had endless free time. This was a full-time internship, and I treated it like that. There were challenges I didn’t expect, long hours, and days when the only things I had the energy for outside of work were the gym and studying. But in the end, I think that made the experience more real and more impactful.
Before this summer, I didn’t fully understand the difference between traveling abroad and working abroad. I had traveled before, and I assumed this would feel similar, but working in Korea was completely different. I wasn’t there just to explore or take in the culture; I was there to contribute to a company and represent myself in a professional setting. That mindset shift hit me early, and it shaped how I approached the internship. My weekdays were demanding and often repetitive, but I stuck to a schedule and stayed disciplined throughout the program.
One of the biggest things I gained from this experience was a stronger work ethic. Before coming to Korea, I was not actively preparing for junior summer internships or thinking seriously about the competitive nature of finance recruiting. That changed quickly. Being surrounded by hardworking people, both in the office and in the broader program, pushed me differently. I saw people grinding at their internships, taking classes, studying, networking, and using every hour of their day with intention. That environment motivated me to do the same.
By the end of the first few weeks, I had built a new routine that I stuck with for most of the summer. I worked full-time, went to the gym, and dedicated time to study for the SIE exam. I also scheduled informational interviews and follow-ups with people in finance to set myself up for future recruiting. I was doing more than I ever had at once, and even though it was tiring, I came out of it with more drive and a sense of control over my future. I was proud of how I managed everything without falling behind or burning out.
Living in Korea on my own was another part of this experience that pushed me to grow. I had no one to lean on day to day. From getting around a foreign city to cooking, commuting, and managing my time, I had to stay organized and accountable. Being in that situation forced me to take ownership of everything, and I think that level of responsibility helped me mature in a way that only comes through experience.
My internship itself gave me a lot of practical skills that I plan to carry forward. I worked in a business development and marketing role at DeltaTech-Korea, a firm that helps startups with technology transfer and international partnerships. I built multiple structured sales pipelines, conducted market research, and helped support outreach campaigns across several industries. Working with startups meant that there wasn’t always a roadmap, and I had to take initiative. I got better at figuring things out on my own, organizing large amounts of information, and learning how to communicate clearly and professionally in a cross-cultural setting.
If I had to sum up the most valuable takeaways from this program, I would focus on four things: time management, work ethic, organization, and corporate communication. Time management became second nature to me because it had to. There was simply too much going on to operate without structure. My work ethic improved because I was surrounded by people who were pushing themselves, and I did not want to fall behind. The organization helped me keep all of my projects, study materials, and outreach efforts in check. And corporate communication became a strength as I learned how to speak professionally and clearly across different teams, languages, and time zones.
These are all things I plan to bring back with me to Pitt. Whether it is keeping a better academic routine, continuing my recruiting prep, or managing my responsibilities more efficiently, I feel better equipped now than I did two months ago. I also know that these are transferable skills I can apply to any role I take on going forward. This internship did not just fill a line on my resume; it helped me reset my mindset and push myself to a new level of personal responsibility and drive.
Looking back, I wish I had more time to explore Korea, but I also know I made the most of what I could. I am leaving with new habits, more confidence, and a better sense of what it takes to succeed both abroad and at home.