This week was definitely one of my favorites since arriving in Seoul because my grandma came to visit! Getting to explore the city with her made this week extra special. We checked something off her bucket list by eating ramen along the Han River, just like in so many K-dramas. It was such a simple moment, but honestly, one of my favorite memories so far.
We also spent the day shopping, both got haircuts, rented bikes along the Han River, and she even got to meet my friends. It was really fun watching two different parts of my life come together. Having her here reminded me how lucky I am to have this opportunity and how meaningful it is to experience Korea with someone who has such a strong connection to the country.
This weekend, my roommate and I also did one of the most Seoul things ever… cafe hopping! Cafe culture here is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Every cafe has its own theme and personality, and people spend hours there relaxing, studying, or catching up with friends. We found the cutest cafe that served bear-shaped ice cream, and later visited a nature-themed cafe tucked away in one of Seoul’s quieter neighborhoods. Between all the good food, great conversations, and exploring new places, it was the perfect way to spend the weekend.
Even though this week was full of fun memories, it also made me think about how much I’ve changed since starting my internship, especially when it comes to leadership.
Before coming to South Korea, I would have described my leadership style as collaborative and democratic. I like hearing everyone’s ideas before making decisions because I think the best results usually come from working together. At the same time, I have never been afraid to step up and take charge when something needs to get done. I enjoy organizing projects, keeping people on track, and making sure everyone’s voice is heard. I’ve always tried to be a flexible leader who can adjust depending on the people I’m working with.
One thing I wasn’t expecting, though, was how much working in another country would challenge what leadership looks like.
In the United States, I feel like leadership often means speaking up, sharing your opinions, and taking initiative right away. During this internship, I’ve realized that communication styles can be very different. Rather than immediately jumping in with ideas, I’ve learned that sometimes it’s more important to observe first, listen carefully, and understand how a team works before trying to lead.
At first, that adjustment wasn’t easy. There were moments when I wanted to be more vocal or take control of a project, but I quickly realized that wasn’t always the best approach in this environment. Instead, I learned that leadership can also mean supporting others, asking thoughtful questions, and trusting your teammates. Sometimes being a good leader means knowing when to step forward, and other times it means knowing when to step back.
Working closely with my supervisor has also helped shape the way I think about leadership. Since our team is small, I’ve had the opportunity to receive feedback, ask questions, and learn directly from someone with much more experience. Watching how they manage projects, communicate with clients, and guide me through assignments has shown me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about helping others succeed and creating an environment where people can continue learning.
I also think this internship has helped me become more confident in my own abilities. Throughout the summer, I’ve taken on projects that I had never done before, from researching international sustainability initiatives to creating LinkedIn content and analyzing company engagement. At first, many of these tasks felt intimidating because they were completely outside my comfort zone. Looking back now, I’m proud of how much I’ve learned and how much more comfortable I feel taking on new challenges.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that good leaders never stop learning. Every project has taught me something new, and every challenge has helped me become more adaptable. Instead of thinking leadership is about always knowing the right answer, I now see it as being willing to grow, accept feedback, and adjust when something isn’t working.
Living in another country has also pushed me to become more independent. Whether it’s navigating public transportation, adapting to a different workplace culture, or simply figuring out daily life in Seoul, I’ve become much more comfortable handling unfamiliar situations. That confidence has carried over into my internship and made me more willing to take on responsibility and trust myself.
Looking back over the past six weeks, I can honestly say this experience has changed the way I think about leadership. I still value collaboration and bringing people together, but I’ve also learned the importance of patience, cultural awareness, and knowing that leadership doesn’t always have to be loud. Sometimes the strongest leaders are the ones who take the time to listen, learn, and support the people around them.
As my internship continues, I know these lessons will stay with me long after I leave South Korea. Whether I’m leading a team, working with clients, or collaborating with coworkers in the future, I’ll carry these experiences with me and continue building the kind of leader I want to become.
