Yugandhara Ravindra Gaikwad

Why did you choose to study this degree? 

Growing up in Pune, India, I was surrounded by business from an early age. My father worked for a publishing house, and I often watched him lead teams, solve problems, and manage day-to-day operations. Later, in the early 2010s, my family owned an educational bookshop, where I spent much of my time after school helping my mother and sister. What fascinated me most wasn’t just selling books, it was watching my mother run the business.  

Pursuing a master’s degree abroad became a personal goal, and International Business was the perfect choice because it combined everything that inspired me: strategy, leadership, global markets, and cross-cultural collaboration. 

What did you enjoy most about your course? 

What really brought the learning to life were the seminars. Rather than simply memorising concepts, we were challenged to apply them to real business situations through carefully selected case studies, debates and group discussions. I particularly enjoyed the open discussions with professors, where no question was off limits. We explored the ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘when’, ‘where’ and ‘how’ behind business strategies, whether we were analysing historical events or current global challenges. 

The lecturers were incredibly approachable and generous with their time. Whether I had questions about an assignment, wanted to discuss developments in global markets, or was simply curious about their own professional experiences, they were always willing to have a conversation. Some of my most valuable learning came from these informal interactions over coffee, where we discussed leadership, industry trends and career advice. 

What did you enjoy most about student life at Leeds? 

I became a firm believer in the University’s ‘Give it a Go’ programme and signed up for almost everything that caught my interest. It was the perfect way to discover new hobbies and meet people from around the world. One of my favourite experiences was joining the Language Zone as a language exchange partner. I was matched with a Korean student from Busan, and what started as a language exchange turned into a genuine friendship. We are still in touch today and are already planning to meet again when I visit South Korea. 

Curiosity also led me to join the K-Pop Dance Society. Coming from a Bollywood background, I thought I could adapt my dance moves to K-Pop and thankfully, I managed better than I expected. 

One of the most rewarding experiences was becoming involved with the Women in Leadership Society. I helped organise a leadership conference featuring inspiring female leaders, later joined the committee, contributed to newsletters, and supported workshops promoting inclusive leadership. 

Wanting to continue learning beyond my own experiences, I also attended events organised by the University’s LGBTQ+ community. These sessions helped me better understand different perspectives and reminded me how important inclusion and respect are in both society and the workplace. 

Volunteering became another highlight of my time at Leeds. Whether it was helping maintain community gardens, cleaning local green spaces, or spending an entire day making traditional apple cider from scratch, and proudly taking home a bottle at the end, these experiences helped me connect with the local community. 

How did you find adjusting to living and studying in the UK? 

Having previously lived in Germany before moving to the UK, I found the transition to Leeds smoother than it might have been otherwise. That said, I quickly realised that every country has its own way of doing things.  I still remember standing at a bus stop wondering why two buses had driven straight past me. It took a friendly local student to explain that you need to raise your hand to signal the driver that you want the bus to stop. It sounds obvious now, but it was one of those small cultural moments that made me laugh and reminded me that adapting to a new country happens one experience at a time. 

Living in Leeds itself made settling in much easier. It is a true student city, and everything feels geared towards supporting student life. Having a student ID opened the door to countless discounts, affordable activities and student-friendly spaces across the city. It meant I could enjoy everything Leeds had to offer without constantly worrying about my budget. 

I was also impressed by the University’s support services. Whether it was academic guidance, wellbeing support, or practical help in my accommodation, assistance was always available. I remember discovering that the heating in my room wasn’t working. I sent a single email, and the issue was resolved within a few hours. It may seem like a small thing, but moments like that gave me confidence that the University genuinely cared about its students and wanted them to feel at home. 

One service that always makes me smile when I think back was the emergency taxi scheme. If you ever found yourself needing to get home safely but didn’t have your wallet with you, the University could arrange a taxi and allow you to pay it back later.  

What professional skills and experience did you gain? 

One of the defining experiences of my degree was participating in the International Study Tour to Zurich, Switzerland. It is one of the most sought-after opportunities on the course, and I was fortunate to be selected. The University supported the programme by sponsoring the accommodation, while students covered their own travel and visa costs. During the week, we visited several globally recognised Swiss organisations, including Bühler, Läderach, IWC Schaffhausen and Kuhn, where we had the opportunity to meet senior leaders, including CEOs and Managing Directors. We were learning directly from the people responsible for shaping these organisations. Listening to their stories, understanding their vision, and seeing how they differentiated themselves in highly competitive global markets gave me a completely new perspective on business leadership.  

The University’s Careers Service played an equally important role in my professional development. I made it a point to attend as many employability workshops, networking events and career sessions as possible.  

How did your time at Leeds prepare you for the future? 

Academically, the course taught me to think strategically rather than simply solve problems. I learnt how to analyse situations from multiple perspectives, challenge assumptions and make decisions based on evidence rather than instinct.  

Through networking events, leadership societies, volunteering, the International Study Tour, and countless conversations with lecturers and alumni, I realised that personal growth often comes from saying ‘yes’ to experiences that initially feel unfamiliar. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my career and continues to shape the way I approach new challenges. 

How has your career progressed since leaving the Business School? 

Like many graduates, my first few months after University involved a lot of job applications. With support from the University’s Careers Service, alumni on LinkedIn and other professionals, I realised I needed to focus less on fitting every job description and more on showing what made me different. 

A friend suggested I apply for a role at Sky Media. After two rounds of interviews, including one with senior leaders in Commercial Operations, I was offered a position and moved to London. In the interviews, I drew on what I had learnt at Leeds, particularly around organisational change, stakeholder management and transformation. 

I joined Sky as an assistant, but treated it as a starting point. I began creating Standard Operating Procedures, mapping workflows, speaking to leaders across the business and volunteering for projects outside my role. Within my first six months, I presented at Sky’s Winter Forum and became involved in a transformation project that introduced me to my Director. 

Within a year, I progressed from Assistant to Manager, leading business transformation, process improvement and automation initiatives across Sky Media. One of my proudest moments was being selected to help establish Sky’s offshore operational capability in India, combining my previous outsourcing experience with my cultural background. 

Another memorable opportunity came through networking, when a conversation at a professional event led to me being invited onto a podcast celebrating successful women in business. It was hosted by a fellow Leeds University student, which made it a real full-circle moment. 

What are your ambitions for the future? 

Professionally, I want to continue leading transformation programmes that bring together people, technology and process improvement. I am particularly interested in operational excellence, automation, artificial intelligence and building strong global teams. As my career develops, I would also like to support other young women and international graduates who are building careers away from home. I know how challenging that journey can be, and I hope my experience can encourage others to aim high and take opportunities that may feel unfamiliar at first. Longer term, I want to keep growing as a leader, contribute to meaningful change within organisations, and help create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to succeed. 

What was your biggest highlight of studying at Leeds? 

Without a doubt, the biggest highlight of studying at Leeds was graduating with my master’s degree alongside my parents in the audience. My father had always dreamed that one of his children would study abroad and earn a master’s degree. Being able to fulfil that dream meant more to me than any grade or achievement. 

Studying at Leeds not only transformed my own life but also brought my parents to the UK for the very first time to attend my graduation ceremony. Seeing the pride and joy in their eyes as I walked across the stage is a moment I will cherish forever. It was a reminder that this achievement wasn’t just mine, it belonged to my entire family, whose sacrifices, encouragement and belief in me made it possible. 

Would you recommend Leeds University Business School? 

I would recommend Leeds University Business School. The academic experience is outstanding, but what truly sets Leeds apart is the community. From approachable lecturers and dedicated careers support to the countless societies, volunteering opportunities and global experiences, the university encourages you to grow both professionally and personally.