As I get closer to the end of my time abroad, I have been trying to make the most of my time. This past week my roommate and I spent a lot of nights on walks and runs. We also went to  karaoke and an outdoor venue to watch the France v. Morocco game! This weekend a big group of us went to Budapest and it was amazing. Definitely one of my favorite cities I have been to so far. Saturday we went to a mini pig cafe and the Matthias church, which was beautiful. We spent a lot of time walking around this area and just exploring some of the shops and art galleries. As someone who really enjoys architecture Budapest was just the perfect place. The detail that goes into some of these buildings are amazing. That night we also took a boat and got to see the Parliament Building. Sunday, my roommate and I went shopping before leaving to come back to Sweden. I definitely liked that it got dark in Hungary, because in Sweden the night is very limited. I have really been enjoying my time abroad so far and I’m sad that we only have two weeks left. I’m going to miss Europe a lot. 

Throughout my internship in Stockholm, I have developed a lot of valuable, transferable skills that I know will benefit me throughout my career. The biggest skill I have strengthened is adaptability. Every day at my internship looks different. Some days I spend the majority of my time doing the layout for fashion articles for the online magazine, while other days I assist with photoshoots, attend events, or help with various tasks around the office. Learning to quickly adjust to changing priorities and different responsibilities has made me much more flexible and confident in unfamiliar situations.

I have also learned how to adapt to a different style of management than I am used to. I learned to observe how my supervisor communicated, adjusted my expectations, and became more comfortable working independently. I have also improved my communication and problem-solving skills. There have been times when I was given little direction on a task, which was initially challenging because I work better with very clear instructions. Over time, I have become more comfortable asking questions, taking initiative, and figuring out solutions on my own. This has helped me become a more independent employee and has given me confidence that I can succeed even with unclear direction.

I have gained several technical skills as well throughout my internship. I have learned how to navigate new software for fashion editorial writing. I have also gained hands-on experience assisting with photoshoots, including steaming garments, organizing looks, preparing clothing and accessories, and helping ensure the shoot runs smoothly. I have learned more about the planning and coordination that takes place behind the scenes and have seen firsthand how a creative vision is executed from start to finish. 

I think having a general understanding that each culture is unique is a very good place to start when beginning to navigate cross-cultural situations. There are many cultural differences between Sweden and the United States. Since I arrived here, I have approached every situation with an open mind and willingness to learn and understand these differences. Rather than expecting everything to be done the way I am used to, I have observed how my coworkers communicate, collaborate, and manage their work. This has allowed me to understand what is expected of me and be successful in the workplace.

I have gained a lot of valuable skills that I am excited to apply to my future career and internships. Being abroad has also allowed me to learn a lot of things about myself and how to navigate difficult situations. Adapting to change is something I’ve been challenged with a lot during my internship, and it’s a skill I know will help me not only throughout my career, but in my everyday life.