Reflection

Challenges:

The biggest challenge was the language barrier, especially in speech therapy
Understanding the methods of therapy when they are using another language
Only being able to use body language as a means to decipher behavior/disorders
Adjusting to the travel to work

Skills:

Confidence in my abilities overall
Reassurance in my ability to succeed in this occupation
Experience in my exact profession
Improvement of my Italian vocabulary
A different perspective on therapy that I would not have gained from being in the U.S
Self-esteem from building connections, and relationships with co-workers and patients, and from being able to be my complete self in a brand new environment
Being able to find comfort amidst uncomfortable situations.

Future:

This is a great experience that will look great in a Graduate program when considering the 135 hours I have decided to complete that were not required
I will use this experience and the techniques I learned during therapy to incorporate them into my own therapy techniques in the future
This opportunity has given me another form of experience that I can talk about with future employers
I will use this newfound confidence when reaching to achieve any goals in the future
I will always remember how I achieved something far beyond my imagination and that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.

STAR Method:

On my way to Europe, my luggage of everything I needed for 1 and a half months was lost. I had bought items specifically for the trip and prepared myself for this new experience, but I was unable to ever revive my belongings.

I had to start from the beginning and gather the items that were of the greatest necessity. I needed to get all kinds of items from toiletries, to lounging clothes, as well as outfits that were professional enough for my internship.

Coming from a person with a lot of anxiety in general, I had to teach myself how to feed myself positivity and look at the pros of each situation. I created a specific reality of what is most important to me, and I had to learn how to think more business-minded with what I was spending. As well as this, I had to learn how to organize expenses, as well as all of my lost items in order to not lose any money from this situation.

From this experience, I have learned far more about myself than I did five weeks ago. I have learned how much I express myself through my clothes and how important my belongings are to me that I once took for granted. I have learned how to be my fully confident self when I've only literally had myself. I have taught myself how to not let things bother me while making the decision each day that this was not going to damper my trip, and or change my once and lifetime experience. I have learned how to adjust to every situation, and most importantly how to be comfortable amidst the most uncomfortable situations. If I can thrive in an environment I have never experienced, without anyone I know, with none of my belongings, then I cant wait to see what my future holds.