When I boarded the plane to South Korea, I hoped I was capable. When I came home, I knew I was.
As I reflect on the past eight weeks, it is hard to put into words just how much this experience has meant to me. Thanks to the generosity of the Pitt Global Experiences Office Scholarship, the Ryonosuke and Teruko Shiono Scholarship Endowment, and the Holbert N. Carroll Memorial Fund, I was able to complete an internship in Seoul, South Korea that challenged me academically, professionally, and personally in ways I never imagined. This opportunity was about so much more than traveling abroad. It was an experience that pushed me outside of my comfort zone, strengthened my confidence, and confirmed that I want to build an international career in business.
Before leaving for South Korea, I hoped to become more independent, understand how businesses operate in an international setting, improve my confidence in public speaking, and experience Korean culture that has always been an important part of my life through my halmonei. I also wanted to learn what it was like to work alongside professionals from another country and contribute to a team in an unfamiliar environment. Looking back now, I can confidently say this experience exceeded every expectation I had.
Throughout my internship at JHSUSTAIN, I found myself doing things I never thought I would have the opportunity to do as an undergraduate student. I sat in important business meetings, researched international environmental sustainability projects, presented project briefings, and helped build the company’s LinkedIn presence from the ground up. I was introduced to an entirely new industry while learning how businesses collaborate with governments and local communities to create sustainable solutions. One project that especially stood out to me focused on using technology to monitor dams and provide communities with real time flood warnings. Seeing how technology, environmental sustainability, and business could work together to protect people’s lives completely changed my perspective on how meaningful innovation can be.
Of course, this experience was not without its challenges. Working across cultures required me to adapt my communication style, ask thoughtful questions, and become a better listener. Organizing multiple projects and navigating a professional environment where expectations differed from what I had previously experienced pushed me to become more adaptable and resilient. Although these moments were difficult at times, they became some of the most valuable lessons I learned. Each challenge helped me grow more confident in my own abilities and reminded me that growth often comes from stepping into unfamiliar situations.
Personally, I have become much more independent and confident than I was before this experience. Whether I was navigating Seoul, collaborating with coworkers from different cultural backgrounds, or presenting research to professionals, I learned to trust myself and embrace opportunities that once felt intimidating. The biggest lesson I will carry with me is the importance of listening to feedback while also believing in my ability to succeed. Every project taught me something new, and every accomplishment reminded me that I was capable of far more than I initially believed.
Academically, this internship transformed the way I view my education at Pitt. Concepts from my Political Science courses became real as I observed environmental governance and international development projects in practice. At the same time, I discovered how business, technology, and sustainability intersect to solve complex global challenges. This experience has inspired me to continue exploring these interests by pursuing leadership opportunities, attending more career fairs, learning the Korean language, and becoming more involved in organizations that promote global engagement and professional development.
Professionally, I developed stronger communication, research, presentation, problem solving, and cross cultural collaboration skills. Most importantly, I discovered that I want a career in international business, whether that is in sales, consulting, or another global business role. This internship confirmed that I thrive in diverse environments where I can continue learning from people with different backgrounds and perspectives. I know the experiences I gained in Seoul will continue to shape the way I approach future internships, interviews, and eventually my career.
As I return to Pitt, I hope to encourage other students to study abroad and pursue opportunities they may think are out of reach. I want to bring a broader international perspective into my classes, continue building my professional network, and apply everything I learned throughout my remaining time as a student. I know this internship will become one of the defining experiences I share throughout my career because it taught me not only valuable professional skills, but also how to believe in myself when faced with uncertainty.
Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the donors whose generosity made this journey possible. Your investment provided much more than financial support. It gave me the opportunity to challenge myself, grow as both a student and a future professional, and experience a culture that has always held a special place in my heart. Thank you for believing in students like me and making life-changing experiences like this possible. Your support has had an impact that extends far beyond these eight weeks, and I will carry the lessons I learned in Seoul with me for the rest of my life.
While this internship may have come to an end, I know my journey has only just begun. Seoul gave me memories, friendships, and experiences I will never forget, and I truly believe it is not the last it has seen of me.
