From zero to growth: What I learned during my internship at InBlog
I had the opportunity to start my internship at InBlog almost three months ago. Since then, I’ve been learning a lot, not only about SEO and content marketing, but also about adapting to a new culture and growing professionally.
So, in this article, I want to share what I’ve learned during this time: how I tackled SEO from scratch, how my role evolved, and how living and working in a new country has shaped my experience. I’ll also talk about the support I received from the team and how all of this helped me grow personally and professionally.
1. From zero SEO knowledge to publishing weekly
When I boarded my flight to Seoul in February 2025, I knew my life was about to change. I wasn’t just starting a new internship, I was stepping into the unknown. I had never lived abroad for so long before, didn’t speak the language, and knew almost nothing about SEO, the very field I was about to work in.
I joined InBlog, a startup developing an SEO-friendly CMS tool for B2B blogging. The product was smart and ambitious but I wasn’t sure I could keep up. SEO felt like a mysterious code only marketing experts could crack. What was a meta description? How did Google decide which pages ranked? Why did URLs matter?
It was a little bit overwhelming at first. I was excited, but also scared. SEO isn’t something you just “get” in a day, it’s technical, strategic, and constantly changing. What if I didn’t fit in? What if I couldn’t learn fast enough?
But I reminded myself why I came: to grow, to challenge myself, and to step out of my comfort zone.
So I got to work.
The first month, I consumed everything I could: Ahrefs guides, SEMrush tutorials, articles by Neil Patel anything that could help me understand SEO’s inner workings. Slowly, things started to click. The concepts became less intimidating. And I had an incredible team that patiently answered my questions and gave me the space to learn by doing.
Each week, I wrote one blog post. That rhythm, researching, writing, editing, became my training ground. It forced me to apply what I was learning and helped me see SEO not as a puzzle to fear, but as a tool to shape good content. It was the perfect combination of theory and practice.
The fear didn’t disappear but I learned how to work through it. And that made all the difference. Also,My team at Inblog never made me feel behind. They answered my questions, gave me time to learn, and trusted me to write from the start.
2. Leveling up: More articles, more responsibilities
By the second month, I started writing two articles a week, and soon after that, three. As I gained confidence and speed, I also began contributing to other areas like:
Cold outreach: contacting potential partners and clients
Content repurposing: turning blog content into other formats
Writing about SEO also helped me deepen my understanding. Some of the topics I explored include:
Subdomain vs Subdirectory: Which One is Better for SEO and Why?
Blog Post SEO Checklist 2025
... and many more.
Each article taught me something. I realized that writing for SEO is about clarity, not complexity. You’re not just writing for algorithms you’re writing for people who want real answers. You need to be useful, precise, and trustworthy.
3. From SEO content writer to growth marketer: The 3-month shift
At the end of my first 3 months at InBlog, we decided to do a performance review to reflect on the progress so far and where I could grow next. I had been mainly focused on SEO content.
But during that review, we decided to expand my scope. I wasn’t just going to write SEO articles anymore, I was going to become a growth marketer.
I went from executing tasks to thinking strategically. I started seeing content not as the goal, but as a lever, one of many, to drive growth. That simple change in mindset reshaped how I worked, what I prioritized, and how I measured success.
Over the next few weeks, I:
Learned how to repurpose content efficiently across platforms to increase reach without increasing workload.
Developed a habit of daily engagement on Reddit, Product Hunt, and LinkedIn not just to post, but to listen, spot trends, and join conversations that matter.
Practiced cross-functional thinking by combining SEO insights with social distribution, influencer outreach and more.
Understood how each marketing activity, from a guest post to a LinkedIn comment could be tied back to our business goals: visibility, credibility, leads.
Gained confidence in testing new formats like YouTube and TikTok, stepping out of my SEO comfort zone to explore video content and storytelling.
Realized the value of small experiments, especially when working with a lean team. We didn’t need huge budgets, just consistency, creativity, and clarity.
I was no longer just executing a content plan. I was proposing initiatives, launching experiments, tracking results, and reporting on what worked (and what didn’t). I became proactive, not reactive.
I still use SEO daily. But I no longer see it as a silo. I see it as part of a system. And learning to connect the dots from content to distribution to conversion, has been the most valuable lesson so far.
4. Personal growth: A life-changing journey
This experience has been more than just professional, it’s been transformative personally as well. It’s my first time living alone on the other side of the world. I’ve had to adapt, grow, and become more independent. I’ve stepped way out of my comfort zone, and it has been so rewarding.
It gave me more confidence in myself and my abilities. I feel like this is a strong foundation for my future career, a true asset. I now know I can thrive under pressure, learn fast, and collaborate with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Living in South Korea for a few months made me realize: this is a country where I could really see myself living and working long-term. The vibe, the energy, the convenience, the speed of life, everything just clicks for me.
There’s something about the pace, the energy, the blend of tradition and technology that feels uniquely balanced. Everything is efficient, aesthetic, and thoughtful, from subway systems to cafe design, from delivery apps to city parks.
Koreans are warm and welcoming, and if you speak a little English, it’s not hard to get by. It’s a country that’s constantly evolving, innovating, and it's safe, especially as a woman. I appreciate that a lot.
5. The InBlog team: A great surprise
I have had internships before, but this has been my best professional experience so far. To be honest, I was a bit worried at first. I had heard stories about the strict work culture in Korean companies. Long hours, rigid hierarchies, and an expectation to stay late until the boss leaves are all things that I was mentally preparing for. Since the entire InBlog team is Korean, I braced myself for a traditional and possibly intense corporate environment.
But I was pleasantly surprised: my team is open-minded, flexible, and supportive.
From day one, the team welcomed me with warmth and open arms. The culture here is remarkably open-minded and inclusive. Rather than a top-down structure, there’s a spirit of collaboration and mutual respect. Everyone, regardless of position, is encouraged to contribute ideas, give feedback, and take initiative.
It’s clear that innovation and growth are more important to this team than following a rigid chain of command. There’s no strict hierarchy, everyone is encouraged to share ideas, and the work environment is super healthy and collaborative. I feel truly comfortable and respected.
Flexibility is another standout aspect of working at InBlog. Whether it’s in terms of work hours, task management, or communication styles, the team shows genuine trust in one another. That trust creates a safe and supportive space where I feel empowered to ask questions, share insights, and take on challenges without fear of judgment.
Perhaps what has made the biggest impact on me is how respected and valued I feel as both a colleague and a learner. It's not often that interns are made to feel like an integral part of the team, but here, that inclusion feels sincere and effortless.
In short, my time with the InBlog team has reshaped my perspective on workplace culture in Korea. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m excited to carry everything I’ve learned here into my future endeavors.
6. Embracing the challenge of language
Honestly, the one real challenge I’ve faced here is definitely the language barrier. A lot of the time, team meetings are in Korean, and since I’m still pretty new to the language, I can’t always follow everything that’s being said.
But the great thing is, my teammates are really understanding and helpful. They often take the time to explain things to me afterward or translate the main points so I don’t miss out. Plus, they’re always teaching me useful Korean words and phrases, which makes me feel like I’m actually making progress. It’s comforting to know they’re patient and supportive, so I don’t feel left out or behind.
Instead of getting discouraged, I’ve decided to look at this as a great opportunity to improve both my English and my Korean. Learning a new language isn’t easy, but it’s exciting in a way, every new word or phrase I learn feels like a small victory.
And honestly, if I want to stick around here long-term, which I’m seriously considering, then getting better at Korean is a challenge I’m really motivated to take on. It’s all part of the experience, and I’m enjoying the journey !
7. What I learned: Key takeaways from my internship
1. SEO is a process, not an instant skill
At first, SEO seemed like a mystery only experts could solve. But I quickly learned that it’s about being patient, practicing regularly, and not being afraid to make mistakes. Writing weekly blog posts helped me understand how SEO works in real life.
2. Write for people, not just algorithms
One of the biggest lessons was realizing SEO isn’t about tricking Google, it’s about creating clear, useful content that answers real questions. When you focus on helping people, SEO becomes less intimidating and more meaningful.
3. Stepping out of my comfort zone fuels growth
Living in South Korea and working in a new environment challenged me in so many ways, from language barriers to cultural differences. But those challenges pushed me to be more confident, adaptable, and independent.
4. A healthy team makes all the difference
I expected a strict corporate culture but found a team that was open, collaborative, and patient. That kind of environment made it easier to ask questions, try new things, and learn without pressure. It really changed how I see teamwork.
5. Marketing is bigger than just content
At first, I was focused only on writing SEO content, but over time I learned to think strategically. SEO is just one part of a bigger system that includes social media, outreach, and growth experiments. Understanding how all these pieces connect was a game changer.
6. Small experiments can lead to big results
Working with a lean team, I saw how small, consistent experiments like repurposing content or engaging in online communities, can have a real impact without needing big budgets. It’s about creativity and clarity more than resources.
7. Growth happens outside your comfort zone
Maybe the most important lesson: real growth only comes when you push yourself beyond what’s familiar and easy. This internship reminded me that challenges are opportunities to learn and become better, both professionally and personally.
Final thoughts: grateful and excited for what’s next
These past three months have been one of the most valuable experiences of my life. I’ve grown in ways I couldn’t have imagined, both as a content marketer and as a person. I’ve discovered new passions, new places, and a new version of myself.
I’m incredibly grateful to InBlog for trusting me, guiding me, and including me in their journey. I still have more time ahead, and I’m excited for everything I’ll keep learning.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned above all, it’s this: growth happens when you leave your comfort zone !