Week Twenty-four Reflections
This week was a rich blend of design and connection balancing hands-on creative work with meaningful time spent with family. Each design project, whether sketching, measuring or presenting ideas, helped refine both my hard and soft skills while deepening my sense of confidence. More than just technical growth, this week strengthened bonds with the gardeners on-site, with the American team and leadership abroad, and with the French staff who I’ve come to feel increasingly close to. It reminded me that communication, in all its forms spoken, visual and emotional is the true backbone of successful collaboration. Whether through open studios, casual conversations, or video calls, I’ve seen how storytelling, empathy and presence allow people to trust, open up and create smoother, more meaningful experiences. Ending the week with my Bulgarian family, whom I’d deeply missed, made everything feel even more complete a beautiful reminder of the importance of nurturing every connection, professional and personal, along the journey.