One of my favorite parts of my internship has actually been lunch. Every day around 12:30, most of the people in my lab stop what they’re doing and head out to eat together. Sometimes we go to a nearby restaurant and sometimes we eat at the hospital staff cafeteria. It’s become a part of my day that I really look forward to! Lunch is a nice break from work, but it’s also when I get to know my coworkers outside of our projects/work overall. During the workday, most of our conversations are focused on research and whatever we’re currently working on. At lunch, they’re much more casual. I’ve learned about what my coworkers like to do outside of work, where they’re from, and places they recommend visiting. It’s been one of the easiest ways to get to know everyone. One thing I’ve noticed is how different this is from what I’m used to in the United States. Back home, people often pack a lunch, eat at their desk, or grab something quickly on their own. But here (at least at my company), lunch is something the team does together. Everyone leaves the office, eats together, and then heads back to work afterward.

Another thing that surprised me is that our professor, who leads the lab, usually pays for everyone’s lunch. I wasn’t expecting that, and it’s something I really appreciate. After we eat, we almost always stop at a cafe before going back to the lab. Sometimes we buy our own coffee, but a lot of the time our professor pays for that too. It gives everyone a little extra time to relax and talk before getting back to work. Plus I get to try out a new drink every day! I’m going to miss all the fun flavors and menu items here, especially the ades. 

Lunch has also introduced me to a lot of Korean food that I probably wouldn’t have found on my own. Since my coworkers usually pick the restaurant, I’ve been able to try dishes like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), Korean-style beef tartare, cold buckwheat noodles with vinegar (my favorite), army stew, pork bibimbap, and so much more. I’ve liked trying foods that are popular with locals instead of just sticking to places I recognize. These lunches have been one of the best parts of my internship. They’ve helped me get to know my coworkers, experience Korean food, and see what everyday workplace culture is like outside the office. 

Before coming to South Korea, I would have described my leadership style as thoughtful and collaborative. I like to observe first, understand what’s going on, and see what’s going on before jumping in with my own ideas. I prefer to listen and make sure I have something meaningful to contribute. I think that approach has helped me work well with different groups of people.

This internship has challenged me to be more comfortable taking initiative. Since I’m working in a research environment, there usually isn’t a step-by-step guide for every task. Instead, I’m given a goal and expected to figure out how to get there, which has forced me to trust my own judgment/decisions, and share my ideas more confidently. I’ve realized that not every suggestion has to be perfect and sometimes the best thing to do is put an idea out there and see where the discussion goes.

I’ve also learned that leadership can look very different depending on the person. Throughout my internship, I’ve seen researchers lead by mentoring students, encouraging collaboration, and creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions. Watching my coworkers has shown me that leadership is about listening and supporting others. Another experience that has helped me grow is presenting my work every week. Explaining my progress to researchers and answering their questions has made me much more comfortable speaking in front of a group and has helped me organize my thoughts to communicate my ideas more clearly.

Looking back, I don’t think my overall leadership style has exactly changed. I still like to observe and understand a situation before speaking up, but I’m much more confident sharing my ideas and taking initiative when the opportunity comes up. This internship has shown me that you can be a strong leader while still being thoughtful and willing to learn from the people around you.