Leadership Beyond Borders

As students in the Buccino Leadership Institute, we are familiar with the concept that leadership extends beyond titles; it's about perspective, adaptability and the ability to inspire across differences. Nowhere did I experience this more vividly than during my semester abroad in Madrid, Spain.

Living in a new country, I was challenged to step outside of my comfort zone daily. Whether it was navigating classes in a second language, riding the metro or weekend trips across borders, I learned resilience, communicated across barriers and led myself and others in different scenarios. These aren't just travel skills — they are leadership skills. Studying abroad also gave me a global perspective on leadership. I witnessed firsthand how different cultures approach conflict, structure organizations, and approach daily life and communities. As leaders, understanding global contexts and engaging in situations where we strive to push ourselves makes us more effective and empathetic as we go forward.

For leadership students, studying abroad isn’t just an adventure — it’s an extension of our leadership development. It demands resilience, cultural intelligence and a willingness to grow in unfamiliar settings. My time in Spain reminded me that leadership truly has no borders and the skills I gained abroad will shape the way I lead within the Buccino Institute and beyond.