Going International? Here’s What Nobody Tells You.

Winning or placing at a national pageant can open the door to something even bigger — representing your country internationally.

But an international competition is a completely different experience.

I know this because I've lived it myself.

Suddenly you're surrounded by women from all over the world. Different cultures, different personalities, different styles and different ways of presenting themselves.

The days can be long. There may be appearances, interviews, rehearsals, fittings, filming and events before you even get close to the final night.

This is where preparation becomes incredibly important.

Yes, your walk needs to be strong. Your stage presence needs to be strong. But so does your mindset.

You need to learn how to stay confident when you're tired. How to walk into a room and introduce yourself. How to communicate with people from completely different backgrounds. And how to remain professional even when things don't go exactly as planned.

One thing I always remind girls is that you are representing your country before you ever step onto the final stage.

People notice how you treat others. They notice your attitude. They notice whether you're prepared, whether you're punctual and whether you're respectful.

An international competition isn't about pretending to be perfect.

It's about arriving prepared enough that when the pressure comes, you're still able to be yourself.

Because that's the woman you want everyone to remember.

by Thelma Rodriguez