Creating Community: My Journey as an International MSBA Student

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Upon landing in San Francisco after a long and tiring journey across the Pacific Ocean, I was greeted by a lengthy queue at the immigration counter.

I wasn't alone—many others had also arrived in the U.S. with their goals and dreams. Thankfully, I made it through the line quickly and was welcomed by the splendid weather of San Francisco. The City greeted me with its iconic gusty cold winds, adding a touch of drama to my arrival.

I was born in Rajasthan, India, raised in Indonesia and since I have lived in Malaysia, Indonesia and India. Now I’m excited to start a new chapter in the U.S. to earn my Master of Science in Business Analytics from UC Davis.

Settling In, Stocking Up and Readying for Student Life

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The drive to my new home was a revelation. As we moved through The City, I was astonished by the blanket of fog that covered the neighborhood. I had heard that San Francisco was hilly, but I didn’t realize it would feel like a hill station with some of the most breathtaking views.

The jet lag took a few days to wear off, but my main concern was setting up the house—especially the kitchen. Having always been pampered with delicious home-cooked meals by my mom, cooking for myself meant a whole new challenge.

The next few days were filled with supply runs to some of the most famous chains in the U.S., like Farmer’s Markets, IKEA, Target, Costco and Trader Joe’s. These quickly became our go-to places every week.

As an Indian student, I needed familiar spices and ingredients, and a local store named Jai Ho had everything I needed to feel at home. Cooking, however, remained a work in progress—I spent hours experimenting in the kitchen, often resulting in a chaotic mess.

Exploring the Bay Area

My adventure in San Francisco began with a day at Baker’s Beach and from there exploring The City’s iconic landmarks like Golden Gate Park, Pier 39, Fisherman’s Wharf, and, of course, the Golden Gate Bridge, which I had only seen in movies. Yet, I quickly found myself irresistibly drawn to another aspect of The City—its incredible array of restaurants.

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Restaurant runs in San Francisco became an exciting way for me to experience The City's diverse and vibrant food scene. Whether I was strolling through the Mission District for mouthwatering tacos or heading to North Beach for classic Italian cuisine, every meal was a new adventure.

These experiences weren’t just about food; they were essential in building rapport with my cohort and helping me familiarize myself with the city’s lifestyle.

Orientation Day via Driverless Car

My journey in the MSBA program at UC Davis began with an unforgettable experience—arriving at the college in a Waymo driverless car, suited up for our professional photoshoot! The excitement only grew as I met several of the UC Davis Graduate School of Management’s distinguished faculty and immersed myself in the dynamic world of analytics.

The admissions team, spearheaded by Eric Duarte-McDermott, Camille Mack and John Lyon, orchestrated an engaging three-day orientation packed with activities to connect our cohort and learn more about what’s in store for us during the next year.

The Career Development Team, led by Shachi Govil and Vashishtha Doshi, hosted an inspiring alumni panel. Hearing from past cohorts like Abdullah Kazi, Maanvee Mehrotra, Venkata Aravind 'Sam' Sampath Bhagavatula, Ridwan Abdusalam, and Amber Sillis was incredible and provided a deeper understanding of the current market landscape.

As the week progressed, we dove into lectures on the Foundations of Analytics and Practicum Initiations. Lecturers Mehul Rangwala, Josué Martínez, and Carrie Beam guided us through the program, helping us transition smoothly from our diverse backgrounds. The first few days felt like being back in my undergraduate days, but the regular assignments and homework quickly reminded us that this was a different ball game.

To help us feel more comfortable with our professors and classmates, the MSBA program staff organized a happy hour that allowed us to mingle and interact with our cohort and the UC Davis MSBA team much more quickly than we would have in class, in a more informal manner.

Kickstarting a New Chapter

A key takeaway from these past few weeks has been the importance of building connections. It's been vital in helping me feel at ease in these new surroundings. I'm incredibly grateful to the entire UC Davis team for bringing together such an amazing cohort. Here’s to embracing new challenges, seizing opportunities, and a future filled with data-driven success!