When I first arrived in South Korea, I expected my internship to mainly help me improve my UX/UI design skills. While that has definitely happened, I have learned much more than I originally anticipated. Throughout my time abroad, I have developed both technical and transferable skills that will benefit me long after this internship ends. From learning Figma at a much deeper level, to using AI as a creative tool, presenting ideas at a convention, and adapting to a completely different culture, this experience has helped me grow both professionally and personally.
One of the biggest technical skills I have gained is becoming much more comfortable with Figma. Before coming to Korea, I had used Figma in classes, but I never felt like I truly understood the software. During my internship, I have been designing websites, mobile applications, and marketing materials almost every day. I have learned how to build prototypes, work with shapes, improve spacing, and think more carefully about how visual elements fit together. I have also started learning Auto Layout, which is still one of the more difficult features for me. Organizing my frames and naming everything correctly has also been challenging, but I have improved through constant practice. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel much more confident opening Figma and building something from scratch than I did before arriving in Seoul.
Another technical skill I have developed is learning how to use AI more effectively as part of my creative process. Rather than relying on AI to generate complete ideas, I usually come up with concepts myself before using AI to brainstorm improvements or explore different directions. One moment that stood out to me was when I was designing a LinkedIn banner by hand. My manager suggested that I simply use AI to help generate ideas instead. That completely changed the way I approached creative work. Since then, I have learned that AI works best as a collaborative tool instead of a replacement for creativity. It helps speed up brainstorming, refine UX concepts, and generate ideas that I can continue improving with my own perspective.
Although I expected to focus mostly on UX/UI design, I found myself contributing to marketing projects as well. One of the highlights of my internship was attending STK 2026, where I had the opportunity to present our company’s Travel K prepaid card. The product is designed to help first-time travelers visiting Korea by making payments and transportation easier. Instead of simply observing, I was actively talking with customers, business representatives, and potential investors about the product. Explaining our ideas to complete strangers helped me become more confident in public speaking and taught me how to communicate an idea clearly and professionally. One person even asked to take a picture with me after our conversation, which was a memorable moment that showed me the impact a genuine conversation can have.
The convention also reminded me that some of the most valuable conversations happen outside of formal presentations. I met a student from Uzbekistan who was studying computer science but was thinking about changing majors. Since I had made that same decision myself, I shared my experience switching into Information Science and encouraged him to pursue what genuinely interested him. It was a simple conversation, but it made me realize that sharing personal experiences can be just as valuable as discussing products or business ideas.
Beyond technical skills, I believe my greatest growth has come from developing stronger competencies. Working in another country has taught me how important adaptability is. Even though some of my coworkers speak English, I often needed to simplify my vocabulary, slow down my speech, and rely on gestures to communicate effectively. I still occasionally use slang without realizing it, as my workplace is much more casual than I thought, but I have become much more aware of adjusting my communication depending on who I am speaking with. I also learned how much body language and facial expressions matter. During meetings, I often could not understand much of what was being said, but I could often understand the mood of the conversation by paying attention to people’s reactions, expressions, and tone of voice. Those nonverbal cues became an important part of communication.
Living in Seoul has also strengthened my confidence in navigating unfamiliar situations. Learning the transportation system, figuring out navigation apps, ordering food, and adjusting to daily life all became easier over time because I was willing to learn through experience. Whenever I encountered a language barrier, I realized that most problems could be solved with patience, gestures, or translation tools. More importantly, I built meaningful friendships with coworkers and people I met throughout my time abroad. Being able to connect with people despite cultural and language differences showed me that genuine curiosity and openness are often more important than speaking the language.