Back Home.
I am finally back home in Pittsburgh and have had some time to reflect on the two months I spent living and working in Seoul, South Korea. It feels strange to be back in familiar surroundings after such an immersive experience abroad. Before I even get into all of that, I already miss the easy transportation system and, more importantly, the cheap and tasty food. Navigating the city was effortless, and grabbing a quick, delicious meal never required much planning. But that is fine, as it just gives me another reason to go back someday and explore even more.
Thanks.
I would like to begin my reflection by first thanking my dear donors for aiding me in this amazing experience. Without their support, none of what I was able to do and learn would have been possible. I want my donors to know that, thanks to their help, I was able to accomplish three things in Korea that have had a deep and lasting impact on me.
- First, I was able to grow my communication, leadership, and adaptability skills. Living and working in a completely different environment forced me to step outside of my comfort zone. I had to adjust to a different language, cultural norms, and work expectations, all of which helped me become more capable and confident. These are skills that will serve me well in any career path I choose, especially in a job market that continues to grow more selective and competitive each year.
- Second, I had the opportunity to live alongside people from different backgrounds in a new city. This helped me understand how and why people live and think the way they do. I was also able to travel outside of Seoul to other parts of the country and gain a deeper understanding of Korea’s history and culture. Visiting historical sites, rural towns, and coastal areas gave me a more complete view of the country beyond its capital. These experiences expanded my perspective in ways that reading or studying alone never could.
- Lastly, I am truly thankful for the chance to enjoy the amazing food of Korea. From street stalls to home-style restaurants, every meal was a chance to try something new. Not everyone gets the opportunity to travel abroad and taste dishes in the places they originate from. Thanks to my donors, I was able to experience this.
Growth and Learning.
I learned several things during my stay in Korea, I will break them down into three main aspects: Personal, Academic, and Professional.
On a personal level, this was my first time living in a foreign country for an extended period of time. I had to navigate a new culture, language barriers, unfamiliar public transportation, and new social norms. Doing this alone taught me self-reliance and resilience. It pushed me to become more open minded and better at understanding people whose experiences and perspectives are different from mine. It also gave me time to reflect on who I am outside of the context of my usual environment.
Academically, I learned how to apply creative and strategic thinking in real world scenarios. I was no longer just imagining projects for class or working toward hypothetical goals. Instead, I was helping shape real content for a real company, and the stakes felt higher. Every edit I made and every design choice had to meet actual standards and contribute to the company’s larger goals. It helped me recognize the difference between theory and practice and made me more disciplined in the way I approach my work.
Professionally, I had to step up in ways I never had to before. My internship involved video editing, digital media, and graphic design work. The work environment was fast paced and demanded high levels of adaptability and proactivity. Deadlines were fluid and communication had to be constant and clear. The leadership at the company valued direct feedback and expected everyone to manage their time well and take ownership of their projects. This structure helped me grow my communication skills and become more confident in expressing my ideas and taking initiative. I learned how to be comfortable with ambiguity and how to be dependable even when the expectations were evolving daily.
As I head into my next semester at the University of Pittsburgh, I am already thinking about how to apply what I learned. The biggest skill I am bringing back with me is the ability to manage multiple priorities and stay organized in a setting where plans change often. College life can be unpredictable too, and I now feel more prepared to keep calm under pressure and adjust my approach when needed. I also gained a stronger appreciation for collaboration and the importance of asking questions early rather than waiting until confusion sets in. Looking forward, I believe this experience will influence the way I handle future jobs, internships, and creative projects. I know how to better advocate for myself, communicate with clarity, and be more strategic in how I use my time. I also feel more confident working with people from different cultural backgrounds and navigating cross cultural communication. Overall, my time in Seoul was not just an internship experience. It was a chance to challenge myself, grow beyond what I thought I was capable of, and gain real tools that I will continue to use for years to come. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and hopeful that this is just the beginning of many more experiences working in global and creative environments.
Conclusion.
The wrap up this final blog post I would like to again say thanks to my donors without whom I would not have had any of these experiences. I thank the Pitt CBA Global team for their clear and fast communication and their amazing effort to make this program as stress-less as it could be. I would also like to thank Absolute Internship and their onsite coordinators who helped make living in another country easier and lastly I would also like to extend thanks to TooSix Media Group, my bosses and my fellow interns and employees for being wonderful to work with and for.
fin.