How I overcame a hearing disorder to thrive at business school

Hult undergraduate Sophia Fries shares her story of overcoming the challenges of a hearing disorder and finding an inspiring â€Å"can-do† environment on campus in London. I was born with a congenital hearing disorder. In other words, the bones inside my right ear are small and stiff, so they can’t move enough to for me to hear anything more than very loud sounds. My left ear is better, but it also has some problems with hearing loss. Therefore, I wear hearing aids in both ears. With these hearing aids, I can hear and understand things almost as well as anyone else. It has been a long process to get to this point. Over the years, I have had several surgeries, different hearing aids, and numerous appointments. There have been times where I have had to go without my hearing aids while my ears healed and I couldn’t hear at all. Some people understand hearing impairments, but many others do not. Reactions have included: pity, staring at my ears, excluding me, and being afraid of the hearing aids. Challenges at school In elementary school I did OK. Depending on the teacher and the other students, I either had special arrangements or was left out. Some teachers put me in the back of the room, even after getting a doctor’s order that I should sit in the front. One teacher was afraid of my hearing aids and portable speaker because she also had a hearing problem that she chose not to do anything about. She told my mother that giving me a hearing aid would be the worst thing she could do for me. Fortunately, Mom did not listen to that advice! A lot of the time, I did feel left out and others didn’t understand me because I didn’t hear and answer them. I couldn’t hear a lot of what was said, particularly when there was noise around me—and there is always noise in a school! High school was a challenge because the classes were really big and very noisy. Plus, the teachers did not have the time to accommodate my needs—it was easier and faster for them to deliver a lecture orally with their backs to me than to write things on the board and face my way when talking. A turning point in high school When I heard about a high school for children with hearing difficulties I transferred there. It was a hard decision as it meant moving away from home, but I decided it would be best in the long term and I knew that I could travel home on the weekends. This was the right decision and a turning point in my life. Instead of being surrounded by a â€Å"can’t do† attitude from other people, I was surrounded by students and teachers that understood me and my ears. They told me how great I had done to get to where I was and they fostered what was inside of me with positive feedback. This was an experience that bolstered my self-confidence. In turn, I made sure to tell the other students who didn’t like their hearing aids just how lucky we are to have them! Many people with disabilities hate the things they have to do to compensate for their problems. They don’t like their glasses or their cane or their shoe inserts and they put them away or lose them. When I first got my hearing aids, I didn’t cry or get angry—I laughed and laughed. I was overjoyed at what I could hear and never hated my hearing aids. Deciding to study business After high school ended, I knew that I wanted to go to a smaller, private school to study business. Through a friend, I heard about Hult International Business School in London. The more I learned about Hult the more I liked it. It was not only well-accredited, it was also smaller and the people were very positive and friendly from the start. I knew that it was going to be a challenge to get accepted, but I have learned that you don’t get anything if you don’t try. I applied but did not mention my hearing problem until after my final interview because I wanted to be accepted on account of my merits and not my disability. Happily, I was accepted at Hult and other schools, but Hult was my first choice. I think that the students at Hult come from such different backgrounds that me being hearing impaired is no more of an issue than me being a dual American/German citizen. It is just another facet of my personality and they accept it. Finding a home at Hult I knew that Hult was a good fit from the time I arrived. The people at Hult have a very positive â€Å"can do† attitude and are natural achievers. I really appreciate this fact because I am, by nature, a motivated person. I have had to be to overcome the challenges of not hearing, broken hearing aids, ear infections, colds, operations, and having to strain to hear. What’s also fantastic at Hult is that, even though the people here are striving according to very high standards, they are still positive towards others and want to help where they can. I find that I can openly discuss my problem with people at Hult and they accept it. I think that the students at Hult come from such different backgrounds that me being hearing impaired is no more of an issue than me being a dual American/German citizen. It is just another facet of my personality and they accept it. Support on campus The professors at Hult are very understanding about my hearing problems. They realize that sometimes, no matter how much I want to, I just cannot hear. I may need things written out, a one-on-one talk, or another arrangement. Because of my hearing problems, I have to listen intently and that is physically draining. After an hour and a half, I need a â€Å"hearing break† of about 15 or 20 minutes. This too has been accepted. Even though Hult is wonderfully designed, not all rooms are created equal. Some rooms echo, others dampen certain sounds, and others have background noises. In some rooms, I can hear much better than in others, so Hult approached me to ask for information about the acoustics. I even consulted with an architect about it. Advice for others The advice I would give is to someone struggling is: accept what you cannot change. If you have to wear hearing aids then be glad that you can have them. There are many people in the world who cannot afford to get the hearing aids they need. So, even though yours are a bother, realize that you are lucky to hear. Think of your favorite sound and then just imagine never hearing it again! Also, find or build yourself a support system. Look for people that can give you care for your ears and also for your spirit. Then, use your aids to help you do what you want to achieve. Things will not always be easy or good—rooms are noisy, colds come, hearing aid batteries get empty, and not everyone will understand your problems. But, if you don’t put your hearing aids on and reach out to people and to life, then you are causing yourself to miss out on your own opportunities. â€Å"Things will not always be easy, but if you don’t reach out to people and to life, you are causing yourself to miss out on opportunities.† If you would like to find out more about the diversity and supportive environment on Hults global campuses,  download a brochure here Sophia Fries is a Class of 2018 Bachelor of Business Administration student at the Hult London campus. Born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in Cologne, Germany, shes a dual German-American citizen and a Hult Global Ambassador. Kickstart your career with Hults undergraduate business school. To find out more, take a look at our blog 5 top tips for a standout undergraduate application. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn 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! .