How Studying + Interning Abroad Redefined My Understanding of “Professional”
Before my Marketing Internship in Prague, I thought I had a solid handle on what it meant to be “professional.” I had interned at a major financial firm in the U.S., where success looked like fast decision-making, back-to-back meetings, and speaking up before someone else could. Professionalism, in that setting, meant being polished, proactive, and loud enough to be heard.
So, when I started interning at GoodCall, an HR marketing company in Prague, I figured I could apply that same formula. But within the first week, I realized this experience wasn’t going to reinforce my definition of professionalism—it was going to expand it entirely.
My daily commute from GoodCall.
What I Thought Work Was (and Why Prague Proved Me Wrong)
The first surprise came from the tone of the office itself. It was quiet—not awkwardly, but intentionally. Meetings weren’t high-speed or competitive. People took time to think before responding, and no one rushed to fill silence with half-formed thoughts.
At first, I kept second-guessing myself. Was I missing something? Was I not contributing enough? But as I spent more time observing and adjusting, I began to see the value in this different rhythm. Communication wasn’t about speed—it was about clarity. Collaboration wasn’t about outshining someone—it was about alignment.
It made me realize just how much of my idea of professionalism had been shaped by one cultural context—and how much more there was to learn by stepping outside of it.
Me in Prague, somewhere between curious and confident
Marketing Across Cultures: When Your “Brilliant Idea” Doesn’t Translate
One of my first projects was helping promote our company’s office move. I pitched ideas that felt smart—dynamic social media campaigns, bold taglines, the kind of storytelling that grabs attention.
The reaction was... polite. But not enthusiastic.
I had approached the project through an American lens—fast-paced, high-energy, a little flashy. But Czech culture, I soon learned, values modesty, clarity, and sincerity. I adjusted my approach: dialing back the sparkle, highlighting team collaboration, and grounding the messaging in authenticity.
And it worked. The new approach resonated, and the feedback felt more genuine. More than anything, I learned that good marketing—and good communication—means meeting people where they are, not where you're used to being.
The city that taught me to slow down.
The Power of Lunch: Where Real Internships Actually Happen
In my U.S. internships, eating lunch at your desk was the norm. In Prague, it would’ve been weird.
At GoodCall, lunch was an everyday ritual. Coworkers left their desks, grabbed real meals, and—shockingly—talked about something other than work. I was hesitant at first, unsure if I was intruding or expected to keep up with the language.
Some of my most memorable connections happened during lunch. We swapped stories about childhood meals and travel, compared dating culture, and laughed about how I couldn’t pronounce “Ř.” Those meals weren’t just breaks—they were bridges.
That’s when it hit me: building relationships in the workplace isn’t a bonus—it’s the foundation. And sometimes the most professional thing you can do is take the time to connect.
Team Lunch at Our Favorite Spot
The Only One in the Room: Identity and Belonging Abroad
As a woman of color from the U.S., I wasn’t used to being the only person of color in a workplace. At GoodCall, I was.
I expected to feel alienated—or at least hyper-visible. But instead, I found genuine curiosity. My colleagues didn’t make assumptions. They asked thoughtful questions. They wanted to know where I was from, what brought me to Prague, and what life in the U.S. was like for someone with my background.
They didn’t box me in—they opened a dialogue. And while I still believe visible diversity matters, I also learned that inclusion sometimes comes in quieter forms. I didn’t need to perform my identity to be accepted—I just needed to be myself.
Some Advice That’s Not on the Brochure
Let’s skip the cliché tips. Here’s what I wish someone had told me before my marketing internship abroad:
Pack curiosity, not confidence. You don’t have to know everything. Just be willing to learn—and unlearn.
Silence is a form of respect. Let people think. Not every good idea needs to be loud.
Be awkward on purpose. Mispronounce something. Ask the dumb question. That’s how connection starts.
Lunch is sacred. Leave your desk. Eat something warm. Have a real conversation.
Not all inclusion looks the same. Don’t expect it to. You’ll recognize it when it’s real.
Professionalism isn’t one-size-fits-all. That’s the point. That’s the gift.
Work-life balance looked a little different here.
Final Reflection
Interning in Prague didn’t just teach me how to do the work. It taught me how to think differently about what work even is. It reminded me that professionalism isn’t defined by one culture, one tone of voice, or one way of speaking up.
It’s defined by how well you understand the people around you—and how willing you are to adjust, listen, and grow with them.
This was the Marketing internship in Prague that expanded my definition of professionalism—and I’ll carry that redefinition with me, wherever I work next.
This post was written by Kiara Fernando, a CEA CAPA Alumni Ambassador from Trinity University, who studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic.
