It’s hard to believe I’m writing this from home because it feels like just yesterday I was walking through the streets of Seoul. My last week in Korea was filled with so many moments that perfectly wrapped up my experience.
One of my favorite memories was getting a facial during my lunch break with my advisor, Seoyoung. We squeezed in a full Korean skincare experience with face masks, an ice roller, red light therapy, and everything in between. My skin was absolutely glowing afterward, and I walked back into the office feeling so refreshed. It was one of those experiences that felt uniquely Korean, and I’m so glad I got to do it before leaving. To make the day even better, Seoyoung brought her dog into the office, and watching the dog show off tricks like bowing instantly made everyone’s day.
I also visited the Leeum Museum of Art, which ended up being one of my favorite museums I visited during my time in Seoul. I loved how interactive many of the exhibits were. One room was completely filled with floating feathers, making it feel like I had stepped inside the artwork itself. The museum also had beautiful traditional Korean pieces alongside modern installations, which perfectly reflected how Seoul blends its history with innovation.
For my last few days, I made it my goal to enjoy as much Korean food as possible and spend time wandering through my favorite neighborhoods one last time. Whether I was grabbing one more bowl of ramen, stopping at my favorite cafés, or shopping for little souvenirs, I tried to soak in every moment. Leaving Seoul was much harder than I expected. Somewhere along the way, this city stopped feeling like a place I was visiting and started feeling like home.
This week’s prompt asks what success looks like in a professional sense, and after spending two months working in South Korea, I definitely think the answer is different than what I was used to in the United States.
One of the biggest things I noticed was the level of dedication people had to their work. At my internship, everyone genuinely cared about producing high quality work and making sure projects were completed well. It wasn’t unusual for people to stay late if something still needed to be finished. Unlike many jobs in the United States, where people often leave once their scheduled hours are over, the focus here seemed to be on completing the work rather than watching the clock. Even in a small company, I could see how committed everyone was to doing their best.
I also noticed that respect played a huge role in the workplace. There was a clear sense of hierarchy, and communication reflected that. People were polite, thoughtful, and very mindful of how they spoke to one another. I found myself becoming much more aware of my own communication style and learning how to adapt it to fit the environment. While I was always encouraged to ask questions, I realized that showing initiative by researching problems on my own first and then asking for feedback was often more effective than asking for constant guidance. That was a big adjustment for me because I always wanted to make sure I was doing everything exactly right.
Over time, I became much more confident in trusting my own work. Instead of asking how to complete every task, I learned to gather resources, conduct my own research, finish a draft, and then ask for feedback. That shift not only made me more independent but also helped me build confidence in my own abilities. Looking back, I think one of the biggest things that made someone successful in my internship was being willing to learn while also taking ownership of their work.
I also noticed differences in communication compared to the United States. Americans often speak very directly and openly share their opinions, while many of the interactions I experienced in Korea were more reserved and focused on maintaining harmony. I found myself adjusting my tone, paying closer attention to body language, and thinking more carefully before speaking. Those small changes made a big difference in building stronger relationships with my team.
Another interesting difference was how success was recognized. While people definitely appreciated good work, there wasn’t a lot of public praise or celebration after completing a project. Instead, there was an expectation that everyone would simply do their job well. Individual responsibility was valued, and each person was trusted to complete their own tasks before bringing everything together as a team. It created an environment where producing consistent, high quality work mattered more than receiving recognition for it.
This experience reminded me that success isn’t defined the same way everywhere. Every workplace has its own culture, expectations, and values. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that being adaptable is just as important as having technical skills. Being open to different ways of working, respecting cultural differences, and understanding that there isn’t one “right” way to communicate or lead are qualities I know will help me throughout my career.
If there is one thing I wish more American workplaces embraced, it would be the level of respect shown toward colleagues. Throughout my internship, I noticed how much care people put into maintaining positive professional relationships. That mutual respect created an environment where everyone wanted to do their best work, and it’s something I hope to bring with me into my future career.
Looking back, success in South Korea wasn’t about being the loudest person in the room or receiving constant praise. It was about dedication, respect, independence, and always striving to produce your best work. Experiencing that perspective has made me think differently about the kind of professional I want to become, and it’s a lesson I’ll carry with me long after my internship has ended.
