Alumni Stories: Summer Yu

I’m Summer Yu, a Project Manager in the Estates Office at the University of Warwick and a Chartered Construction Manager. I graduated from Warwick with a degree in Programme and Project Management in 2022.

The Intercultural Training workshops at Warwick helped me understand how cultural differences shape communication styles, decision-making, and expectations in team settings. At the time, this gave me a new perspective on group work and collaboration at university.

In my current role, I work with a wide range of stakeholders, including contractors, consultants, and academic teams, all with different priorities and ways of working. I’ve drawn directly on what I learned in the workshops to adapt my communication, manage differing expectations, and handle situations where misunderstandings could easily arise.

For example, being more aware of how direct or indirect communication styles vary has helped me approach conversations more thoughtfully and avoid unnecessary friction. This has made it easier to build trust, keep projects on track, and work more effectively across teams.

Looking back, these skills are not just useful during university group work but are essential in the workplace. The training gave me a practical foundation that I continue to use in my day-to-day role.