The following blog post is adapted from Jade Robinson’s reflections from a PR internship experience in Thailand. Supported by a grant from Live Like Raija, a nonprofit organization created in memory of a former U-Prep student, Jade was able to pursue travel and connect with other cultures as part of her college experience.
Living and working abroad has pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way, teaching me how to navigate new cultures and grow more confident in my independence. This summer in Bangkok, working as a communications intern for Gulf Development (GULF), one of Thailand’s largest energy companies, has been the most incredible, life-changing experience of my life.
This experience has definitely opened my eyes to the very real possibility of working abroad, whether that’s in Asia, Europe, or somewhere else entirely. Before this internship, I kind of thought working internationally was something that would only come much later in my career, like something you work toward over many years. But now, after actually living and working in another country, I realize it’s more within reach than I thought. I’ve seen how I can bring a different perspective and skill set to the table, and that perspective can be really valuable to companies that are looking for people who can bridge cultural differences and think globally.
Finding My Voice in a New Culture
From day one, I was thrown into an amazing opportunity: attending a press conference announcing a major partnership between GULF and its subsidiary Advanced Info Services (AIS) to support the Thai Football League. It was not only an exciting way to kick off my internship and learn about Thai football, but also a chance to see how press conferences are run and the quick turnarounds PR professionals must manage during big events.
The eight weeks were full of meaningful experiences like these. I attended community events where I created video content for GULF’s social media platforms, visited GULF’s Sriracha Power Plant to write about my experience for corporate social channels, and I worked on an article about one of GULF’s community outreach events that was submitted to a major news outlet, The Bangkok Post.
One of the biggest skills I developed was learning how to take on a corporate tone in my writing assignments. I’m so used to writing from my own point of view, but this internship challenged me to write in the voice of the company, something I know will be incredibly useful in the future.
My visit to Gulf’s Sriracha Power Plant (GSRC)
Discovering What Leadership and Teamwork Really Look Like
This experience showed me what good leadership looks like and taught me about the type of leader I hope to be. Leadership doesn’t have to be loud or in your face; it can be respectful, mutual, and personable. I saw this in the team I worked with. Even though I couldn’t speak the language, I could tell by the team’s aura and camaraderie that they worked really well together. The head of the PR team clearly trusted everyone to do their jobs well, on time, and up to company standards. That trust and respect made the whole team stronger.
I saw how a good team works together, communicating openly while still maintaining a clear hierarchy. Everyone clearly knew their role and responsibilities, but at the same time, no one was afraid to collaborate or ask questions when they needed to. There was never any sense of shame in asking for help, and I think that openness made the team stronger and closer.
One lesson about teamwork that I’ll carry forward is how important it is to have both structure and open communication within a team. At my job, I want to embody that same balance. I want to be the kind of person that others feel comfortable approaching, where asking a question feels welcomed and the answers or help I give are actually useful, not condescending or dismissive. To me, that’s a big part of creating a healthy team dynamic.
Another thing I’ll carry with me is how much laughter brightens a workspace. My team laughed a lot this summer, and it created such a positive environment. It showed me that you can take your work seriously and still have fun at the same time. Those two things don’t cancel each other out; they actually complement each other. So in the future, I really want to bring that “work hard, laugh hard” balance into whatever team I’m a part of.
On my PR floor, there were eight of us, and everyone was friendly and supportive. We went out for coffee and lunch together almost every day, and at the same time, the team got work done efficiently. Being there made me realize that I want to find that kind of work culture in my first job out of college, even if it sometimes means the pay isn’t as high. Having people who push you and make an eight-hour day fun can make all the difference, especially when you’re just starting out and building experience.
I think I was able to grow as a leader within myself by recognizing how important it is to trust your team. Building that kind of trust doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time, consistency, and respect, but once it’s there, you can accomplish so much more together. Watching how my team functioned, even when I couldn’t fully communicate with them because of the language barrier, showed me that strong leadership isn’t about control, it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported and capable.
Growing Beyond Comfort Zones and Developing a Global Perspective
This experience gave me more confidence in myself and in my ability to navigate new and unfamiliar spaces on my own. Living and working in a completely different culture, I had to rely on my own problem-solving skills, adaptability, and patience. Whether it was figuring out directions, managing the workload, or working through the language barrier, I learned how to slow down, stay calm, and find solutions.
I’ve realized how important it is to approach things without being apprehensive, or at least to fake it till you make it. On my very first night in Thailand, right off the plane and fighting sleepiness, I went to dinner in Bangkok’s Chinatown. It was hectic and beautiful, and the food was so good, it hit me then how special this summer was going to be.
Since the internship ended, I’ve been reflecting on just how important it is to have a global perspective as a communicator, especially now more than ever. This experience made me realize how much value there is in doing my own research on issues I’m curious about to get a well-rounded answer. For me, that means reading from both left and right opinions, checking sources that are verifiable, and looking at things through a global lens, not just Western ones.
My biggest piece of advice for anyone starting their first internship is to be as open-minded as possible and say yes to everything, even the things you don’t think you’ll be good at or don’t think you’ll enjoy. You honestly never know what you’ll learn from it. For example, there were a few times when I was asked to be on camera and act for the company’s social media channels. That is so not something I’m comfortable with, I don’t love being in front of the camera like that. But even though it was scary, I said yes. And while I learned pretty quickly that it’s not really my thing, I also learned more about myself in the process and gained a new kind of confidence.
Looking Forward
All of these things—patience, adaptability, confidence, and trust—are skills I know I’ll carry forward, both in my personal life and professionally. As I come back to USC and continue looking ahead toward post-grad life and future jobs, I feel like I have a much stronger foundation as a leader. I know now that leadership doesn’t always mean being the loudest voice in the room; sometimes it’s about listening, observing, and trusting the process and the people around you.
To me, Living Like Raija means taking every opportunity in stride, not being afraid to try something new, and keeping a positive outlook even when things feel intimidating. This experience has inspired me to think about living or working abroad, and even the possibility of solo backpacking after I graduate. It’s shown me how important it is to experience and analyze things for yourself, and not just rely on the Western lens I, as an American, have been so used to seeing through.
That’s the whole point of an internship—you’re there to learn, to explore, and to grow. You don’t have to walk away loving everything you tried, but saying yes gives you more opportunities to figure out what you do and don’t like. Every new experience teaches you something and adds value. I’m excited and grateful to have these lessons and memories to carry with me as I return to life at USC and beyond.
