Time is flying by here in Prague. I am getting very used to my routine, and am starting to look forward to my every day. Work at EARCH is becoming more and more comfortable, as I am completely settled into my day-to-day office life. Being able to sit down at my desk and work on a task I am comfortable and confident in completing is a satisfying feeling.

Outside of work, I’ve spent my evening and weekend days looking for new places in the city I haven’t been to yet. Trying out new restaurants, hanging out in new parks, and just walking around new streets is how I’ve kept myself occupied. This past weekend we went to a flea market, where there were rows and rows of local trinkets and produce. I’ve been able to catch up on my reading, which is one of my favorite past times, as well as try as many new bars and restaurants as we can find within walking distance. My favorite so far has been a live jazz bar. I’ve come to really appreciate the laid back culture of Prague, as well as how much nature and greenery there is in such an old city.

One of my favorite spots is the local park, Riegrovy sady, where you can lay out a blanket on the hill and watch the beautiful sunset. After the sky starts fading from orange and pink, you can grab a drink at the beer garden at the top and watch a World Cup game on a huge screen. I’ve gone there so many nights that they are starting to blend together, but the sunset is worth it every time.

Reflecting on all of this, I’ve also noticed a shift in how I see myself as a leader. Before coming to Prague and working at EARCH.cz, I wouldn’t have described myself as a confident leader. I usually let someone else take charge and stayed more comfortable in a supporting role. This internship has challenged that. Being dropped into a completely new country, a new office culture, and a new way of working forced me to rely on myself in ways I hadn’t before. There was no one back home to fall back on for the small decisions, so I had to trust my own judgment more, whether that was navigating a new city, adapting to a different workplace dynamic, or figuring out tasks at EARCH without someone guiding me through every step.

I think I’m becoming a better leader simply by getting more comfortable doing hard things. Moving to a new country on my own, building a routine from scratch, and pushing myself to explore rather than stay in my comfort zone have all made me more confident in my own decision-making. That confidence is starting to carry over into how I show up at work too: I’m more willing to speak up, take ownership of a task, and trust that I can figure things out even when it’s unfamiliar. Leadership abroad isn’t necessarily about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s more about being steady and self-reliant enough that others can count on you, which is exactly the kind of person this experience is pushing me to become.