As my international internship program begins to come to an end, I have been reflecting on everything I have experienced over the past eight weeks. Coming back this week from my weekend trip to Prague gave me even more time to think about how much this experience has impacted me, both professionally and personally. Before arriving in Berlin, I expected to gain marketing experience and improve my professional skills, but I never imagined just how much I would grow through living in a new country, working in an entirely new industry, and building relationships with people from around the world.
Working at a Web3 startup in Berlin has given me a new perspective on what professional success looks like. Compared to more traditional workplaces, startups expect employees to be much more independent and proactive. Success is not measured by simply completing assigned tasks. Instead, successful employees are the ones who take ownership of their work, identify problems before they are asked to, and actively look for new ways they can contribute to the company.
As an intern, I have learned that being successful means being comfortable with ambiguity. Because startups move quickly, there is not always a detailed list of instructions or a perfectly organized schedule. Instead, I have been expected to manage my own time, prioritize my workload, and even create opportunities to contribute when I have finished my assigned projects. Whether that meant researching new marketing ideas, finding trends in social media content, or helping with community events, taking initiative has been one of the most valuable skills I have developed.
Another important characteristic of a successful employee in this environment is the ability to accept feedback and apply it immediately. Marketing content often goes through multiple revisions, and I quickly learned that feedback is simply part of the creative process. Being able to adjust my work, learn from suggestions, and improve with each project has helped me become more confident and efficient throughout my internship.
Compared to my experiences in the United States, I have noticed that this startup culture places even greater value on independence and self-direction. In many internships back home, supervisors often provide more structure and assign tasks throughout the day. At my internship in Berlin, there is much more trust placed in employees to manage themselves and determine where they can create value. Rather than waiting for someone to tell you what to do next, employees are encouraged to think creatively, solve problems independently, and continuously look for ways to help the team succeed. This approach has challenged me to become much more confident in my own decision-making and has taught me that some of my best work comes from taking initiative rather than waiting for direction.
While the professional growth has been incredibly rewarding, the personal experiences I have had during these eight weeks are what I know I will remember for the rest of my life. Living in Berlin has allowed me to experience an entirely different culture, travel throughout Europe, and gain a much broader perspective of the world. Every weekend seemed to bring a new adventure, whether it was visiting another country, exploring historic landmarks, hiking through beautiful scenery, or simply wandering through neighborhoods that quickly began to feel familiar.
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Prague, another incredible city that reminded me just how fortunate I have been throughout this program. Looking back over the past two months, it almost feels unreal how many places I have been able to experience. Each trip has taught me something new, not only about the places I visited but also about myself and my ability to adapt to unfamiliar situations.
What has been arguably even more meaningful than the travel, are the people I have met along the way. Before this program began, I barely knew my roommate (Ingrid Kelly). Fast forward almost eight weeks, and we have spent nearly every waking and sleeping moment together. From navigating Berlin’s public transportation and trying new restaurants to traveling across Europe and sharing countless conversations, we have experienced so much together.
Living with someone for two months naturally teaches you a lot about one another, but I never expected to gain such an incredible friendship from this experience. I have not only had the opportunity to explore one of the most exciting cities in Europe, but I have also had the privilege of getting to know the amazing person that Ingrid is. She has become one of my closest friends, and I truly cannot imagine having gone through this experience with anyone else.
As this internship comes to a close, I am leaving Berlin with far more than professional experience to add to my résumé. I am leaving with greater confidence in my ability to work independently, adapt to new environments, and contribute within a fast-paced international workplace. More importantly, I am leaving with unforgettable memories, lifelong friendships, and experiences that I know I will continue thinking about for the rest of my life. This has truly been the opportunity of a lifetime, and I will always be grateful for everything it has given me.
