Overall, my experience studying in Sydney has helped me learn a lot not only about myself but also about global relations. Participating in an internship abroad significantly broadened my understanding of corporate structures and how business practices can vary across countries and cultures. I have gained first-hand knowledge on how to work with team members, allocate my time wisely, and apply classroom topics to real-life scenarios. Not only have I learned how to function in a workplace, but also socially. I have so many interesting conversations with people from all over the globe who have shared stories about their experiences with me.

Coming into this experience, I had never left North America. Now, after having been in 4 new countries, my perspective has changed tremendously. I am able to view things with a less narrow focus than I did before and instead view them with more openness. I now know how to engage in conversation with people of different backgrounds, and I know what questions to ask to learn more about their background and culture. Along with this, I am now able to view our society in America from an outsider perspective, which has challenged many of my assumptions and helped me think more critically about global differences and similarities. I have also become more confident in navigating unfamiliar situations and stepping out of my comfort zone, whether that is using public transportation or exploring a city alone. This has helped increase my adaptability, because, as we all know, things don’t tend to go the way they are planned when traveling.

I plan to incorporate these lessons into my remaining time at Pitt Business by becoming more engaged in group work, seeking out leadership opportunities, and continuing to challenge myself in both academic and extracurricular settings. I also plan to take a more proactive approach in connecting classroom knowledge to practical experiences, whether through internships, case competitions, or student organizations, as I now see how the classroom work can be applied to a professional scenario and have a newfound appreciation for coursework.

The skills that I have learned here will be useful in any future career I go into in the business field as I have improved soft skills such as communication and adaptability, which are critical in a workplace. I plan on leveraging this experience to help me stand out in the future and to use it as a foundation for how to continue developing both personally and professionally as I work toward my long-term career goals.