Week 8 was my last week abroad, and it was a mix of excitement, adventure, and a lot of goodbyes. My health was good, so I was able to really enjoy every day without feeling worn out. I knew the week would fly by, so I tried to make the most of it.
I had just been to Rome the weekend before, so this weekend’s trip to Amsterdam felt like the perfect way to end my travels. I went with a Prague frisbee team, and it made the whole trip even more fun since I was with people who already had a great energy and connection. Amsterdam was beautiful—its canals, narrow houses, and constant movement made it feel unlike anywhere else I’d been. We walked around a lot, visited little cafés, and explored the city on bikes, which made me feel like I was living there instead of just visiting. We also played some frisbee, which was a cool way to mix travel with something I enjoy doing.
When I got back to Prague, it hit me that this was my last few days in the city. I wrapped up my internship, and saying goodbye to my coworkers was bittersweet. They had been such an important part of my time abroad—not just for teaching me new things about the job, but for making me feel welcome and part of the team from the start. On my last day, we laughed, shared memories of the past two months, and talked about staying in touch. Leaving the office for the last time felt strange, like closing a chapter I wasn’t fully ready to end.
In my host country, success in a professional sense is often defined by how well you work with others and how dependable you are. People value being on time, following through on tasks, and communicating clearly. It’s not just about finishing work quickly—it’s about doing it well and making sure it fits with the team’s goals. Being respectful, polite, and professional in your interactions is also a big part of being seen as successful.
In my internship, a successful or effective employee is someone who takes responsibility for their work, pays attention to detail, and stays organized. My industry values people who can work independently but also know when to ask questions or ask for help. It’s important to show that you are interested in learning, that you listen carefully to feedback, and that you can manage your time without needing constant reminders.
Compared to my home country, I noticed that in my host country, there is a bigger focus on work-life balance. People here work hard during their scheduled hours, but they also make sure to take breaks and end work on time. In my home country, it can sometimes feel like working longer hours makes you seem more committed, but here, being efficient and getting your work done during the day is what’s respected. Also, in my host country, teamwork and politeness seem to be valued more than standing out as an individual. In my home country, there’s often more emphasis on self-promotion and showing off your personal achievements.
Outside of work, the week was full of goodbyes. I had to say farewell to all the friends I’d made in Prague, which was honestly the hardest part. Over the past two months, we’d traveled together, shared meals, gone out at night, and experienced so much of the city side by side. We spent our last nights going to our favorite pubs, telling stories, and laughing about all the little moments we’d shared.
One of our last hangouts was at a sports bar in Prague called Londoners, a place I had tried earlier in the trip. Sitting there with everyone, I realized just how much Prague had come to feel like home. Back in the first week, the streets and trams felt unfamiliar. Now, I knew the routes, the best food spots, and even the quirks of the neighborhoods.
Leaving for home was emotional. I was happy to be heading back to see my family and friends, but it was hard to let go of the life I’d built here, even if it was temporary. I left feeling proud of everything I’d experienced and learned, but also a little sad to say goodbye to a place that had given me so much.
Week 8 was the perfect ending to my time abroad—Amsterdam was an incredible last trip, my internship ended on a high note, and I got to spend quality time with the people who made Prague feel like home. Saying goodbye wasn’t easy, but that’s just proof of how special this experience really was.