My STEP Signature Project was education abroad through an internship in Barcelona, Spain. I worked as a marketing intern for an artificial intelligence startup called No Code Family. I researched the market, learned the marketing strategy, and executed my team’s goals for the new app Magic Tellers. Magic Tellers is an app that allows you to create one’s own children’s books with the help of AI.
I had considered myself a very easy-going person prior to this internship, and for the most part, I think that remains true. But this experience truly expanded what I consider to be my comfort zone and learn how to say “yes” more often. Learning to say “yes” is one of the most important things a person can learn to do, especially at this young adolescent stage. More experiences will be had, mistakes will be made, and lessons will be learned, but it is better to have the experiences and knowledge than to live in the dark without them. Saying “yes” will bring you closer you closer to becoming whoever you aspire to become.
I think the most vital thing that allowed me to say “yes” were my supportive roommates I met on this trip. I did not know anyone in the program when I signed up and I would not have it any other way. I am grateful to have had the chance to live with the six individuals that started as strangers and ended as close, life-long friends.
From my roommate, I learned that if I want something, I can go do it. She had a go-getter attitude and pushed me to have the same. My experience would not have been the same without her. From another flatmate of mine, I learned to take whatever path I want to take and not just follow a group. Group influence can be heavy and at times very comfortable, but just because something is comfortable does not mean that it is right. From another, I learned to be present. The world is so clouded by technology that people tend to forget that you can learn so much by talking to those around you, whether it’s a silly conversation or one deep in emotion. Another taught me to be grateful. These two months very may be the greatest two months I have ever experienced, but because it was so much all the time, I would take the second to appreciate where I was and be grateful for every detail that surrounded me. Another reminded me of the importance of bringing people together. If I was having a bad day, spending quality time with people could always reverse that. I cherish and admire anyone in my life who uses their energy to bring people together because it is so important. Lastly, I learned that the most important influence when it comes to decisions in my life is my own. To let others weigh too heavy into your life decisions makes them not authentic to yourself.
Learning these lessons by simply living with other and seeing how the treat themselves and others was the most influential part of my experience. It reminded me that no one is perfect and you can learn so much by talking to others.
Every interaction I had with everyone revealed more layers of what they could teach me and the power of saying “yes.” I think the epitome of this new attitude was one of my fondest memories of the trip. A day we had with very few plans ended up being one of my favorite days throughout the whole trip. After getting dinner, we decided to hang around this new town we were in instead of going back to where we were staying. By staying a couple extra hours, we were able to attend a local festival we did not know was happening. A beautifully impulsive decision opened new doors to experience. We danced and laughed at our execution of being in the right place at the right time by saying “yes” to new plans.
This was early on in the trip, so it set the tone for the rest of the summer. I learned that you can never plan out being in the right place at the right time, but with an open mind and saying “yes,” you’ll create your own “right place.”
Saying “yes” to new opportunities and creating my own right place right time is something valuable that I will hold onto for the rest of my life. Your life is a compilation of memories, so the more you make, the greater the life you will lead. Learning from those around you is so vital to improving who you want to become. I will forever be grateful to those I met on this trip and how they shaped me as a person. Thanks to STEP, this experience has put me leaps and bounds closer to being who I want to become.
