Noah Turner - London City Break 2019

Gaining a global perspective is a game changer in today’s workforce. Understanding the complexities of leadership and business on the global stage allowed me to lead more effectively, gain better internships, and communicate cross-culturally.

I have been shown how leaders in one of the world’s most influential cities lead in ways that I have learned from USU. Leaders like Lord Dr. Michael Hastings forged his own path through principle centered leadership in both the House of Lords and his corporate roles in the BBC and KPMG. We met with several CEOs that stressed how important cross-functional learning was to their careers and learned from the rich history of British leaders throughout time. 

This opportunity to learn from world leaders, past and present, showed me how critical leadership is in both my schooling and career. I learned that leadership is not displayed through a position, but through actions. Examples like Winston Churchill, Sir Thomas More, and others showed how they are remembered for their actions. Actions truly speak louder than words. I was able to apply this learning to my own degree (International Business and HR) as I realized that success only comes if I take actions towards success in obtaining certificates, experience, and internships that develop me into the leader I want to become. 

This trip strengthened my ability to both present and lead confidently. During this experience we prepared, practiced, and honed presentations and recommendations that we gave to real companies and CEOs. This true application of leadership/presentation principles helped me grow as leader and an individual. Because of this trip I can confidently stand and present myself professionally to any crowd. The guidance of trip leaders like Professor Crane and Boyd Craig was invaluable to my professional development and ability to seek constructive feedback. Their insights helped me cement a path towards a degree and career that I am passionate about. 

Additionally, cross-cultural communication was one of the most surprising takeaways from this trip. Even though the United Kingdom speaks English (albeit the Queen’s English) I was surprised at how much culture impacted business within the UK. Being aware of cultural differences was something I had always learned the importance of in school but could never grasp until this trip. I learned that finding communication avenues and breaking down cultural barriers is the most important aspect of doing business internationally. 

This trip changed my attitude about school. It showed me how the application of strategies I had learned in class had translated into millions of dollars of profits for the companies we visited. We had conversations with CEOs about their actual concerns and problems. I learned so much from the amazing leaders we visited and travelled with. In the end, the London City Break trip taught me how to apply leadership skills in my own life through action and seeking feedback. I would recommend this trip to absolutely anyone that is serious about their own schooling, career, and leadership ability.