William Dalton

wwdalton@wharton.upenn.edu

Ask Me About…

Studying abroad in London was a first for me in many ways—my first time overseas, my first time navigating a new city with serious food allergies, and my first time balancing intense recruiting while trying to fully experience another country.

Growing up in a small town in Ohio, international travel wasn’t something my family did often, partly because managing my life-threatening food allergies (milk, eggs, nuts, sesame seed, poppy seed, mango, shellfish, and pink peppercorn) made dining out extremely stressful. In London, I learned how to advocate for myself in restaurants, decode ingredient labels, and find allergy-friendly spots. For students with similar concerns, I can offer practical advice on everything from carrying emergency medications to finding allergy-friendly restaurants.

I also experienced the whirlwind of recruiting while abroad—scheduling interviews across time zones, scrambling for quiet spaces in hotels, and trying to stay present while thinking about my future. But the trip also gave me unexpected clarity. Meeting speakers like Adam Granite (CEO of Universal Music Group) and Didem Ün Ateş (AI executive and WEF Fellow) showed me that career paths aren’t one-size-fits-all. I even wrote a Penn Abroad blog post about how the experience reshaped my perspective.

I’d love to chat with people who are curious about:

• Traveling with food allergies
• Managing recruiting abroad
• Gaining career insights outside the traditional IB/consulting bubble

My Experience Abroad

Studying abroad didn’t just complement my coursework—it brought my Wharton classes to life in unexpected ways. As a Finance and AI for Business major with a minor in International Relations with consulting aspirations, I’ve always known cultural fluency would be critical—but my time in London showed me why in ways no textbook could.

Take one of our WH2011: Global Business Communication for Impact case studies where we talked about an American manager clashing with Chinese manufacturing partners. It suddenly felt tangible when I found myself navigating British business etiquette—where a polite “That’s an interesting idea” often means “I strongly disagree.” Just like in our classroom simulations, I learned that effective global business isn’t about language barriers—it’s about decoding unspoken cultural scripts.

This aligned perfectly with my professional goals. In consulting, where teams and clients span continents, understanding how German directness differs from Japanese indirectness (or British politeness) isn’t theoretical—it’s the difference between a successful engagement and a failed one. My international relations coursework gave me the geopolitical context, but London taught me to apply it—whether discussing Brexit’s business impacts with local entrepreneurs or observing how EU regulations shape cross-border deals.

Most valuably, I discovered that “globalization” isn’t just about trade policies—it’s about the human ability to adapt. When my British classmates debated U.S. politics with perspectives I’d never considered, or when I explained the American healthcare system to baffled Europeans, I was practicing the very skills WH2011 emphasizes: communicating complex ideas across cultural divides.

Other Highlights

• One of the trip’s greatest highlights was the friendships I formed. Through late-night study sessions, exploring Notting Hill cafés, and belly laughing at a British pantomime, my classmates became close friends. Our professors, Sara Mangat and Camille Vallino, also went above and beyond—not just as instructors but as mentors. I’m now fortunate to continue working with Sara as a WH2010 teaching assistant.
• Another unforgettable highlight was our dinner with Didem Ün Ateş, founder of LotusAI and World Economic Forum Fellow. Her journey from Turkey to becoming a leader in ethical AI—advising firms like Goldman Sachs—inspired me to think differently about career paths. Her emphasis on passion over prestige resonated so deeply that I’m now interning with her through LotusAI’s fellowship program, conducting research on AI innovation. This experience proved how study abroad connections can evolve into real professional opportunities.
• As a longtime music enthusiast, meeting Adam Granite, CEO of Universal Music Group AMEA, was also a highlight. Hearing how he progressed from a Wharton graduate to overseeing artists like Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny showed the power of unconventional career trajectories. His story reaffirmed to me the remarkable opportunities that can come to you through taking initiative.
• The city of London within itself was a highlight of the trip. From its multicultural dining scene (with excellent allergy-friendly options) to its stunning architecture and vibrant energy, London surpassed all my expectations. What began as an academic trip ended with me seriously considering London as a future home.