Show us an activity you enjoy doing. Tell us how you think it contributes to your personal and professional development

1. TRAVEL

2. ABOUT ME
I have been travelling around the world since I
was a small kid.
At those times, I didn't realize how travelling
would have an impact on my life. As I grew older
I started to observe it's benefits. I first started
travelling on my own during my university years
and continued for a long time. But travelling is
not limited with my vacations only. As a part of
my job I travel to different parts of the world. For
the last 5 years I have been working as an
International Marketing Coordinator of a private
company. I dealt with many different regions.
Now I'm in charge of South Asia and Far East. So
travelling has become a lifestyle for me.

3. Traveling has contributed to
both my personal and
professional development...

4. Travel has
developed my
understanding of
culture, improved my
communication and
networking skills and
given me a wider
perspective.

5. CULTURE

6. CULTURE
Learning about different cultures has allowed me
to remain competitive in my field. As an
international marketing coordinator
understanding the cultural norms of the countries
where we have operations allows me to plan how
we would market to that particular country.
Since I have traveled to so many regions from the
Americas to the Far East, I have dealt with very
diverse culture and learned something that
contributed to my professional development
during every trip.
These experiences are a life long asset, as I can
apply past experiences and knowledge when
dealing with any new challenge abroad.

7. CULTURE

8. COMMUNICATION

9. COMMUNICATION
When traveling to many different regions with different cultural norms,
languages, beliefs etc. I learned how to communicate with a wide variety
of people and thus was able to improve my overall communication skills.
For example, in the middle east showing the soles of your feet may be seen
as an insult, and the american 'ok sign' can be a harsh insult in Turkey, or
mean money in Japan.
I have learned to make myself understood and also communicate on behalf
of my company which has made me far more fluent communicator overall.
Communication skills are of course crucial for both personal and
professional development.

10. NETWORKING

11. NETWORKING
Traveling is the perfect opportunity to network
with others.
In a globalized world networking outside of
one's own country is a necessity. During my
travels I met with like minded professionals
from all over the world.
My networking skills have increased as I
discussed business ideas and met with new
business contacts in many different countries.

12. PERSPECTIVE

13. PERSPECTIVE
Traveling really allows one to gain a new perspective on life.
While traveling and experiencing different cultures I was able
to see what life was like in many parts of the world. I realized
what my core values are and what was important to me in life
largely due to these experiences.
The perspective I gained made me a far more well-rounded
individual than if I had only stayed within my own country.

14. THE END