Diary of a Dean Scholar Ashridge Red Bull Challenge Hult Blog

Written by Marc Ahlers, Global Ambassador and Master Dual Degree student in the Hult Boston Campus Class of 2017. Today is Saturday, March 24th 2017. Together with the Dean Scholars from the Boston campus, we’re embarking on a journey to the U.K. to attend the Hult Dean Scholar Summit. In a few hours, we will jump on a plane and head to an idyllic little town just outside of London where the beautiful Ashridge campus lies. Ahead of us are five days with Dean Scholars from Dubai, London, and San Francisco where we will experience an unparalleled executive education. Come with us on this memorable journey†¦ Day 1: Arriving at Ashridge After a smooth flight, we touched down in London and instantly became: Team Boston. Luckily, the only layover we faced was a 20-minute wait for our bus that turned into all of us getting our first sunburn after a three-month exposure to frost, ice, snowstorms, and tornadoes in Boston. After an hour-long drive on the opposite side of the road—the left side—Team Boston arrived at Ashridge, where we were greeted with a warm smile, beautiful weather, and a glass of champagne. Ashridge is known for serving as a home for royals for centuriesand now, Hult’s Global Dean Scholars. We arrived at our accommodation, which looked like a castle, checked in, and immediately hit the ground running. Sleeping is for the weak, right? We took a running tour of Ashridge’s amazing location in the middle of â€Å"nowhere†. Ashridge is known for serving as a home for royals, including kings, queens, princes, and princesses, as well as the rich and famous for centuries. Now, Hult’s Global Dean Scholars are fortunate enough to experience Ashridge’s beauty and history as a center of knowledge. Dean Scholars arrive at Hults Ashridge Campus. Ashridge is a breathtaking historic country estate that once housed King Henry VIII After our first run as Hultians in England, we discovered tennis courts and the health center. We exhausted ourselves with running, tennis, swimming, and weight lifting. Finally, dinner was announced. Our final sprint was a run to the buffet, where we  started loading our plates with delicacies. The food at Ashridge was to become a defining feature of our stay – truly amazing! Enjoying an early morning run with my fellow Dean Scholars Always time for a selfie! Day 2: The Red Bull Challenge Bright and early, we were pleasantly surprised with one of the best breakfast buffets Ive ever seen. Loaded with food babies, we kicked off the day by learning about Red Bull and getting a challenge directly from their headquarters in Austria. Red Bull have mastered the art of storytelling by building a following of people who love what the brand stands for, but this love for the brand does not translate into love for the Red Bull can. Put simply, there are more people who love the product than those who actually drink the wing-giving energy source. To tackle this issue, the Dean Scholars were grouped into teams of five to develop a new Red Bull narrative that includes the product itself by emphasizing its relevance in day-to-day life. [Tweet Red Bull have mastered the art of storytelling.] On your marks, ready, set, GO! And we were off. Time was limited. Teams started to brainstorm, analyze, discuss, argue, come back together, and ultimately managed to formulate a very compelling story around the Red Bull can.  Once  we finished the presentations, the recordings of each team were sent to Red Bull’s headquarters in Austria for evaluation with the winner due to be announced on the last day of the summit. After a long and tiring day, we spent a couple of hours frolicking through Ashridge’s gardens and exploring the inner majesty of the castle. After the campus tour, we feasted on our five-star salmon, steak, and desserts. Red Bull set the branding challenge from their headquarters in Austria Well take all the help we can get! Once  we finished the presentations, the recordings of each team were sent to Red Bull’s headquarters in Austria for evaluation. Day 3: The importance of storytelling Before entering Ashridge’s magical learning experience the next day, Team Boston got up early and had a run followed by a very relaxing and spectacular yoga session led by Manuela Erlacher, our very own yoga teacher. We started our day in the classroom by asking what storytelling really is and why it matters so much in today’s society. I believe storytelling is one of the biggest keys to success in your personal and professional success. So it is of utmost importance that we learn and practice it. The day was filled with mental exercises that guided us to discover our true selves. And more time to explore secret spots of Ashridge gave our minds the opportunity to reflect on our thoughts. [Tweet Define your purpose in life and use it as a pathway to reach happiness.] I learnt many lessons that day, the most important being: Define your purpose in life and use it as a pathway to reach happiness. As business students on a mission to make a change, we will face various challenges in the future. Our purpose will serve as our anchor to guide us when the obstacle ahead seems gigantic. The tranquil grounds at Ashridge provide the perfect environment to reflect on our learning Day 4: Organizational and individual resilience On day four, we were enlightened by the concept of resilience. Resilience is crucial; it is much needed in today’s society as issues arise every day. As Rocky Balboa said: â€Å"It is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward†. It was a very interesting and challenging day spent in a global classroom full of ambitious, diverse, and intelligent young leaders. We learned to be mentally flexible and adjust our thinking as environmental circumstances change. Day 4 and the hectic schedule was catching up with us! As Rocky Balboa said: â€Å"It is about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward.† The end of our trip was near and our last dinner together was ahead of us. Armed with a glass of wine and a variety of entertainment- Dean Scholar Henrik’s fantastic piano session- the night began. The Red Bull winners were announced and rewarded with prizes. The food at Ashridge was truly amazing they use locally sourced ingredients where possible too Day 5: Sleep-in and one last lunch The different campus teams left Ashridge and headed back to start Module C with new inspiration and a sense of global unity. Team Boston was the last one to leave. We got to sleep-in and managed to get one last fantastic lunch. As we somehow managed to carry our stuffed bellies to the bus, everyone entered a slightly sad mood as this bus ride meant the end of our English journey. It was time to say goodbye and carry the Hult spirit around the world back to our origins in Boston, San Francisco, New York, London, Dubai, and Shanghai. What an inspiring and incredible week with this fantastic bunch of Hultians Thanks for an unforgettable experience! Long story short: All of Ashridge’s food is amazing Scheduled buffet meals are your best friend Team Boston’s mission of Passion. Purpose. Persistence. resonated with the other teams Ashridge is more beautiful than I ever imagined Embrace change – drive change before problems actually arise Hult’s community is probably the most diverse out there Discover your purpose and live by it When you put a group of global Hultians in a classroom, they immediately connect on a personal level Success is not handed to you, work for it Never stop learning and seek out advice from people you know well – they will point out blind spots in your thinking and help you grow Sleeping is for when you are dead Can we please go again? Many thanks to Dean Agnes from London and Dean Emmett from Boston as well as all of the other deans and professors that made this trip come true. Marc Ahlers is a Dual Masters degree student in Finance and International  Business at the Hult Boston campus. His experience in working with KPMG in Germany has motivated him to pursue a career in management consulting.  He was an international collegiate student-athlete at Northwest Missouri State University, where he won conferences and regionals. Apart from professional tennis, Marc is also passionate about traveling. Step up your game with executive education at Ashridge agile business school. To find out more, take a look at our blog Ashridge Executive Education at Hult in 2018 Financial Times Top European Business School rankings, or firm up your exec career footing with a Masters in International Business from Hult. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you learn everything about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .