Working at Jaleo has shown me that there is no universal definition of a successful employee. Every workplace has its own expectations, and those expectations are shaped by the culture around it. During my internship, I have seen that employees earn trust by taking initiative and handling problems without waiting for someone else to step in. Supervisors expect everyone to stay engaged throughout the day, even when priorities change or there is no clear list of tasks to complete. My previous jobs in the United States were much more structured, so adjusting to this environment took some time. As the internship has progressed, I have become more comfortable making decisions on my own and have developed a different understanding of what it means to be successful at work. One of the first things I noticed at Jaleo was how much independence employees are given. There is no one constantly checking your progress or assigning work every hour. If an email needs a response or a student has a question, people simply take care of it. Throughout my internship, I have spent time following up with prospective students, answering inquiries, updating information, and helping with marketing projects. Every day looks a little different, so I have learned to pay attention to what needs to be done instead of waiting for instructions. I think this level of independence shows that the company trusts its employees, and that trust encourages people to take ownership of their work.

This was probably the biggest adjustment for me. I usually like having clear instructions because I know exactly what is expected. During my first few weeks, there were times when I finished a task and was unsure what to do next. Eventually, I realized that my supervisors wanted me to look for ways to contribute on my own. Once I stopped waiting for direction, I became much more confident in my role. I also felt like I was contributing more to the team instead of simply completing assignments. Another quality that stands out at Jaleo is the ability to think through unexpected situations. Every student who contacts the school has different goals. Some are preparing for university, some are learning Spanish for work, and others simply want to improve before traveling. Their questions are rarely identical, so there is no script that works every time. Employees listen carefully, gather the information they need, and decide what makes the most sense for each student. Watching my coworkers handle these conversations has shown me that experience and good judgment are just as valuable as technical knowledge.

Patience is also an important part of the job. Since Jaleo welcomes students from many different countries, communication is not always straightforward. Some students need extra explanations, while others are still building confidence speaking Spanish or English. I have learned that slowing down and making sure someone fully understands is worth the extra time. Those small moments leave a positive impression and help students feel more comfortable asking questions. I think these specific scenarios make for a successful employee. When I compare this experience to jobs I have had in the United States, I notice a difference in what supervisors seem to appreciate most. In my experience back home, finishing tasks quickly and staying busy throughout the day often stands out. At Jaleo, I have seen coworkers spend extra time helping one student or carefully answering a complicated email without worrying about moving on as fast as possible. The focus is on doing the job well and making sure people receive the support they need.

The atmosphere in the office has also surprised me. Even though everyone has different responsibilities, people regularly ask each other for advice, share ideas, and help solve problems together. As an intern, I never felt like I had to stay quiet because of my position. My supervisors welcomed questions, and they were happy to hear suggestions if I had an idea. That made it much easier to become involved in the daily work of the school and build confidence throughout the summer. Overall, this internship has changed the way I think about professional success. I still believe that being dependable and working hard are important, but I have learned that those qualities can look different depending on the workplace. My experience at Jaleo has taught me to be more independent, more comfortable with uncertainty, and more willing to take responsibility without waiting for someone else to ask. Those are lessons I will carry with me into future internships and, eventually, my career after college.