Leeds alumni in the USA

Thank you so much to all the alumni in the US who were happy to share their Independence Day messages with current students and with our alumni community.

Here is a selection of those messages, beginning with a video from Peter Hill, President of the North American Foundation for the University of Leeds.

Leon Gray (BA English Language and Literature 2008)
Founder - The 35 Consultancy

My Leeds experience was filled with friendship, learning and self-discovery, providing the foundations for my first real taste of independence. Life lessons were forged during my time there: how to find your way without Google Maps; how to write a 2,000-word essay in under an hour; and how to make £10 last an entire week. Rest assured that whilst life continues to change, your Leeds life will serve you in more ways that you can imagine, trust the process!

Geoff Whaley (Gender, Sexuality and Queer Theory 2008)
Senior Associate Director, Development Communications - Harvard Business School

I came directly from my undergrad program in the US to my Master's program at Leeds. I specifically chose Leeds because it wasn't London and my program was based in an interdisciplinary department.

Many Americans study abroad in the UK as undergrads and most go to London, but Leeds provided me with that more immersive experience and independence from being lumped in with all of the other "Yanks" who populate London during the academic year.

Leeds was the furthest I'd been from where I grew up and the longest I'd ever been away from home, and it was the experience I needed to launch into my post-academic life knowing I could depend on myself and be independent.

I also got to share many holidays we celebrate in the US, including jokingly making my British friends celebrate Independence Day and cooking my first solo Thanksgiving for them. I'm still in contact with many of my classmates and friends I made during my time at Leeds. It was an incredible year-long program and two years spent living in Leeds and I think back on it frequently.

My advice to current students and recent graduates – do everything you can while you're in West Yorkshire and on the Leeds campus! Seriously, make a list of things you've heard anyone ever mention was worth doing and start doing them. Trust me you'll regret not doing them.

There are still things I wish I would've had time to cram in while I was there. I've managed to do a few quick visits since I graduated, but there will always be a list of things I wish I'd done.

Rajeev Sooreea (MA Economics 1999)
Associate Dean/Professor of International Business - Barowsky School of Business, Dominican University of California

Leeds was a platform for me to expand my wings and explore the world! As a Master’s student back in 1998, I made awesome friends and connections.

Leeds was a melting pot of cultures for me; I had friends from Indonesia and China to India, Germany and Switzerland. I learned how to live in a diverse culture. Yes, I faced the chilling north, but saw the sun setting at 10 o’clock in the night on the steps of Parkinson Building and walked with faculty to the campus bar.

Leeds gave me a life-long boost in confidence. It gave me the impetus to grow intellectually and enabled me to take the leap across the Atlantic to come to the United States. To the graduates, congratulations on your achievements; Leeds is your passport to travel the world!

And enjoy the beauty of Yorkshire while you’re still there!

Jigesha Dholakia (MA Bioscience 2006)
Senior Manager, Technical Development - Sangamo Therapeutics Inc.

As we celebrate the Fourth of July, I think back to one of my first moments of true independence. I still remember that wet day when I stepped off the plane, and was escorted to the University of Leeds campus, to be greeted by the Meet and Greet student center. I knew then, that this was independence.

Devoid of my family, my friends and loved ones in another country, I knew this was where I would start off fresh, make a new mark, learn how to live on my own, to grow, to succeed, and to eventually become the person I am now.

The University welcomed me with open arms, made sure we had connections, buddies right off the bat, whether it be through social balls, international culture events, or book and journal clubs. I never for a moment I felt I was alone, despite being in a foreign country.

The things which I learnt while doing my Masters in Biosciences I still apply on a daily basis, as I stay in the career of biotechnology, my most recent job position being at Sangamo Therapeutics, a biotech company focusing on cell and gene therapy.

I still think back to all the lectures, all the presentations, the actual hands-on work that I did at University of Leeds, that still resonates with me, years after my graduation. I am still in touch with some of the professors at University of Leeds, and remember several by name, and will always respect them for guiding me to become the scientist I always wanted to be.

I will forever be grateful of this time, and I hope there’s a way I can help those who plan to make similar moves.

Stephen M.D. Day (BSc Textile Industries 1967)

After studying textiles, it’s hard to believe I ended up in Satellite communication and international management strategy consulting in America. Wonderful opportunities opened up after my Leeds degree, including a postgraduate scholarship to the States, multiple job offers, a wonderful family, and stimulating friends, clubs and hobbies.

Lessons learnt: it doesn’t matter where you start after your degree, as long as you do start. Don’t obsess over first job, in the long run it may not matter.

Puneet Jhawar (Business Administration 2008)
General Manager - Cummins Inc.

The University of Leeds and especially Leeds University Business School hold a special place in my heart for giving me a platform to grow, expand my network and make friends for life.

After working in the corporate world I took a break to educate myself with an MBA and it was one of the best decisions; one can never go wrong with education. As I move to more countries, I continue to be amazed at how my network of friends and experience has grown. Being based out of the US and approaching the July 4th it's a great time to celebrate our independence while reflecting on the sacrifices that people make to earn and maintain it. To the graduating class of this year I want you to take with you that you are entering a phase in life where your contribution to the society is going to be greatly enhanced.

Take care of people around you, work hard and enjoy the gift of education that you are receiving. I want to close with a quote from George Washington Carver who was born into slavery and became a great inventor and scientist: "Education is the key that unlocks the golden door to freedom."