Living and working in a new country pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I didn’t expect. I had never really had to deal with a language barrier before, and at first, it was honestly kind of scary. I was used to being able to say exactly what I meant and having people understand me right away. Here, I had to slow down, think about how I was saying things, and get comfortable asking questions more than once. Even small things, like ordering food or asking for directions, took more effort than I was used to, and I had to get comfortable messing up and just trying again.
That discomfort ended up being one of the best parts of the trip. I became someone who is okay with not having everything figured out right away. I learned to be patient with myself and with other people. I pushed myself to try to communicate in Korean as best I could, even when I knew I wasn’t saying it perfectly, because trying still meant more than staying quiet. I also just became more independent. I had to figure out daily life in a new country, navigate a new city, and solve problems on my own that I would have normally just called home for advice on. Little things added up, like figuring out the subway system, finding my way around my neighborhood, or handling a miscommunication without panicking. I feel more confident in myself now, not because everything went smoothly, but because I got through the moments that didn’t.
This internship gave me a totally different way to look at business than what I usually see in the classroom. At Pitt, I learn a lot about finance and business through numbers, models, and case studies presented during class. Here, I saw how much of business actually depends on relationships, communication, and understanding people, not just spreadsheets. Working on partnership proposals taught me how to think about a company’s story, not just its data. I had to think about who I was talking to, what mattered to them, and how to explain something clearly to someone who might see things differently than I do. I also had to learn quickly, adapt fast, and apply what I know in a completely new setting. That kind of real-world thinking is something I don’t think I could have learned from a textbook.
Professionally, this internship changed the way I think about leadership and communication. I used to lead in a pretty hands-off way, and I used to assume that clear communication just meant saying things directly. This internship showed me that being a good leader and a good communicator actually means paying closer attention, asking more questions, and being willing to double-check instead of assuming I understood something the first time. I also learned that leadership isn’t just about having the answers. Sometimes it’s about being okay with not knowing something right away and being willing to ask for help.
I also learned how to work within a team that had a different communication style and a different way of doing things than what I was used to. That’s a skill I know I’ll use again and again, no matter where my career takes me. I don’t think every workplace I end up in will communicate the way I’m used to, and now I feel a lot more prepared to adjust instead of getting thrown off by it.
Coming back to Pitt, I want to bring this mindset with me into my classes, my clubs, and the leadership roles I have coming up, like my role with Smart Woman Securities and my role with Saxbys. I want to keep asking more questions instead of assuming I already understand something. I want to keep being patient with myself when things don’t go perfectly the first time. And I want to keep looking at business through the lens of people and relationships, not just numbers.
As I move forward with interviews and future roles in finance, I know this experience will shape how I show up. I’ll be a better communicator, a more thoughtful leader, and someone who isn’t afraid to sit in a little discomfort if it means learning something new.
This summer challenged me in ways I didn’t expect, but I’m walking away from it more confident, more curious, and more ready for whatever comes next. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to study and live abroad. I met some amazing people throughout the program and developed myself both personally and professionally.
