The past eight weeks I spent in Stockholm have been some of the most meaningful weeks of my college experience. When I first arrived in Sweden, I was excited to begin my internship and learn what living in a new country would be like. I knew this experience would be a step outside my comfort zone, so I was eager to see how much I could learn professionally and personally. This experience gave me the opportunity to learn more about the fashion industry, experience a different workplace culture, meet people from around the world, and become more independent. Looking back, I can see how much I have grown throughout my time abroad and how many experiences I will carry with me into my final year at Pitt and my future career.
In my time abroad, I was a fashion editor intern for Odalisque magazine. This experience gave me a lot of professional experience and helped me better understand what working in the fashion media industry is like. Throughout my eight weeks, my responsibilities included conducting interviews, laying out articles and fashion editorials, attending fashion events, assisting with photoshoots, and completing pick-ups and drop-offs. I also learned how to use many new applications such as trello and photoshop. Since everyday looked a little different, I learned how important it is to be adaptable, organized, and prepared. I had to manage multiple assignments and deadlines while also being prepared for unexpected tasks.
One of my favorite tasks was being the fashion assistant during photoshoots.These experiences allowed me to see how much work goes into creating the final images that appear in a magazine or online. I helped prepare clothing, organize looks, steam garments, organize accessories and shoes, assist with jewelry, and make sure everything looked right on camera. These experiences helped me better understand the behind the scenes work that goes into the final product. I also learned how to work on set when it was a high stress environment. Being a part of the photoshoot process showed me that even my small responsibilities can have an important impact.
Working in another country also taught me a lot about workplace culture. One of the biggest differences I noticed was the communication style. In Sweden, the communication tended to be more direct, concise, and independent, with less emphasis on constant check-ins or detailed instructions compared to what I was used to in the United States. At times, communication was unclear, and I had to ask a lot of clarifying questions in order to fully understand the task and what was expected of me. While I initially found this challenging, it ultimately helped me become more confident in my ability to communicate and advocate for myself in a professional setting. This is a skill that I know I will continue to use throughout my career.
Personally, living abroad pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, and become more independent and confident. Being away from everything familiar to me, forced me to navigate a new environment on my own. I had to learn how to navigate a new city, communicate with cultural differences, become comfortable with unfamiliar situations, and make new friends. At the beginning of the summer, I felt very intimidated, but by the end of the eight weeks, Stockholm felt a little bit like home.
Outside of my internship, I was able to experience so much of Europe. I explored Stockholm with my friends and co-workers, attended events, visited museums, played karaoke, and traveled to other countries. My favorite trips were Budapest and London. Budapest is more eastern europe, so I really enjoyed experiencing their architecture and culture, as it differed greatly from Sweden. My trip to London was my first solo trip, it was very rewarding to learn how to navigate a new city and plan activities on my own. These experiences reminded me that my time abroad is about more than just professional development, it is also about being open to new experiences and taking advantage of opportunities you may never have at home.
Academically, this experience has helped me connect what I have learned at the University of Pittsburgh to real world experiences. As a marketing major with an interest in fashion, working for a fashion magazine allowed me to see how communication, creativity, branding, and audience engagement come together in the fashion industry. I was able to apply skills I have developed through my classes while also learning skills that cannot necessarily be taught in a classroom, but only through working in the industry.
I am especially grateful for the opportunity to have had this experience because of the support I received through scholarships. This summer experience would not have been possible without that support. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow in a new country, and to gain experiences that I will carry with me long after I return home.
As I return to the University of Pittsburgh, I want to bring the adaptability, confidence, and independence I developed in Stockholm with me. This experience showed me that stepping outside my comfort zone leads to some of the most valuable learning opportunities. In my future career, I hope to apply the communication, teamwork, and problem solving skills I developed during my internship. Although I am excited to begin my senior year at the University of Pittsburgh, leaving Stockholm was extremely difficult. These eight weeks challenged me in unexpected ways and helped me grow into a more confident person. I came to Stockholm hoping to learn more about the fashion industry and experience life abroad, and I am leaving with a much deeper understanding of both, along with memories, friendships, professional experience, and a new perspective I will carry with me into my final year at Pitt and my future career. I am eternally grateful for this experience.
