Visda Carson

Did you study abroad as a student? What was your international experience like?

I did not study abroad as a student as I lacked the funds to do so. If I could have afforded it, I would have definitely done so. I even wanted to study abroad and live with a host family while I was in high school. My passion for travel has led me to travel to 40+ countries when I started working and was able to afford international travel.

Why should Leeds students study abroad?

It is a great way for students to gain an understanding of the rest of the world, as well as get out of their comfort zone in a) a safe environment, b) while they continue their pursuit of their education goals. Every time I travel, I learn something about another part of the world, whether it is food, culture, or a way of doing business. I also always learn something new about myself. I wish the same for Leeds students who study abroad.

Why is Aix-en-Provence such an excellent location for your Global Seminar?

Aix-en-Provence is an excellent location for a number of reasons:

• There is a business school at Aix where the students will be leveraging their connections with various companies to gain access to local and international businesses
• Proximity to Marseilles, an international port where we will learn about international trade at a very tangible level
• A more quiet place than a very crowded, intense city such as London or Paris where we can be more focused on learning
• Access to many cultural experiences to learn about the French culture

What is your favorite French food?

Moules-frites (Mussels with fries). In south of France, they cook it 50+ ways that I have found. I had this dish while in Cassis, France last November.

What aspect of this program do you look forward to the most?

I look forward to hearing from the students all that they have learned during our program and how they plan to apply these learnings as they move forward with their career at Leeds and beyond. I look forward to watching our Leeds students engage with French business executives and with each other, and embrace a different culture and learning environment, while having fun in southern France!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

There are a number of goals I have for our students:

• Observe and learn about different ways of doing business.
• Gain critical skills in comparing/contrasting different ways to run a business, experience different cultures, and gain an appreciation for both.
• Learn about the intricacies and connections between culture and business.
• Appreciate the ways we are all connected and the impact we have on each other, whether it’s in business (e.g. supply chain) or in our personal lives (the food we eat).