Alumni Story | A UCR MBA Graduate Reflects on Academic Life, Teaching, and Studying Abroad

Prepared by HYP Global, this article presents a first-person reflection from a Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate of the University of California, Riverside (UCR) School of Business.

The experiences described—including academic study, working as a Teaching Assistant (TA), and adapting to life in the United States—reflect the graduate’s personal journey and do not necessarily represent the experiences of every UCR student.

For me, studying abroad was about more than earning a degree. It was an opportunity to understand myself better, become more independent, and adapt to a multicultural environment.

During my MBA studies at UCR, I experienced different stages of language adaptation, cross-cultural communication, classroom learning, teaching, and exploring life in the United States. These experiences gave me professional knowledge and gradually strengthened my confidence in facing future challenges.

My UCR MBA Journey

Before coming to the United States, I had already gained some professional experience in China.

I later decided to pursue an MBA at the UCR School of Business. I hoped that systematic business education would help me strengthen my professional capabilities while expanding my international perspective.

During my time at UCR, I served as a Teaching Assistant for a second-year graduate course.

Outside the classroom and my teaching responsibilities, I also enjoyed exploring American culture. My interests included:

• The National Basketball Association (NBA)

• Jazz music

• Car culture

I also completed a road trip through several parts of the United States, which gave me an opportunity to learn more about the cultures and lifestyles of different cities.

Adapting to Language and Culture

One of the greatest challenges I encountered after arriving at UCR was adapting to differences in language and culture.

Although I already had a foundation in English, studying in an American classroom required me to adjust to conversational English, professional discussions, and communication styles shaped by different cultural backgrounds.

At first, I sometimes felt that I could not respond quickly enough during classroom discussions. To improve my comprehension, I repeatedly watched recordings of my classes and reviewed:

• The professor’s teaching logic

• The structure of each course

• Key concepts and knowledge

• The ways in which classmates participated in discussions

Over time, I progressed from needing extensive review after class to being able to anticipate the course content and direction of classroom discussions.

Although I did not speak during every class, I carefully observed how professors and students from different countries communicated and presented their ideas. These interactions improved my academic abilities while giving me valuable experience in cross-cultural communication.

Becoming More Independent

After arriving in the United States, I discovered that many everyday responsibilities had to be handled independently.

Because labor costs were relatively high and many daily services were less convenient than those I had been accustomed to in China, international students needed strong self-management and problem-solving skills.

I gradually learned how to:

• Research recipes and cook for myself

• Obtain a driver’s license

• Purchase a car and handle vehicle repairs

• Communicate with insurance companies

• Manage postal matters

• Schedule medical appointments

These may appear to be ordinary tasks, but each one helped me become more independent.

By handling these responsibilities myself, I also developed a better understanding of how American society operates and how people in the United States communicate when addressing practical problems.

From MBA Student to Teaching Assistant

Serving as a Teaching Assistant at UCR was a particularly meaningful part of my experience.

In my view, strong academic performance during the first year of graduate study was an important foundation for applying for a TA position. Maintaining good grades helped me master the course material and made me more competitive when applying for positions on campus.

Teaching a class independently for the first time was challenging. Because there were many students in the classroom, I was sometimes unable to hear every question clearly and had to adjust my teaching approach quickly.

To prepare, I reviewed the course material in advance and anticipated the questions that students might ask.

As I gained experience, I became more comfortable with the pace of teaching and more confident in front of the class.

Being able to teach primarily American students in English—and receive recognition for my work—was an important achievement for me. The experience strengthened my communication and problem-solving skills while allowing me to meet talented students from different countries and cultural backgrounds.

Exploring American Culture

Studying in the United States was not limited to classes and assignments.

During my two years at UCR, I used university breaks to experience different cities and cultures.

I visited the Staples Center in Los Angeles, as it was known at the time, where I experienced the city’s sports culture and atmosphere.

I also completed a road trip through parts of the western and southern United States. My journey included:

• Dallas

• Houston

At the Toyota Center, I attended an NBA Christmas Day game.

I also traveled to New Orleans, where I experienced the city’s jazz culture and distinctive local character.

These experiences showed me that different regions of the United States could have completely different lifestyles. They also gave me a deeper understanding of cultural diversity.

Advice for Future MBA Students

If I were to offer advice to students preparing to pursue an MBA in the United States, I would emphasize two points.

Use Waiting Periods to Gain Real Experience

Students who are temporarily unable to travel because of external circumstances or visa delays can use the waiting period productively.

They can:

• Look for work in a field that interests them

• Learn how professional workplaces operate

• Accumulate practical experience

Once they enter an MBA classroom, these experiences can help them understand course concepts and business cases more effectively.

Enter the MBA Classroom with Questions

An MBA is not only about learning theories. Its greater value lies in applying those theories to practical problems.

If students already have professional experience and understand which problems they want to solve before beginning the program, their classroom learning will be more purposeful.

When professors introduce business cases or classmates discuss their perspectives, students will find it easier to connect academic knowledge with their own experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the UCR MBA for students with an undergraduate background in finance or economics from China?

Based on my personal experience, business courses in China and the United States share some foundational academic knowledge.

The greater value of an MBA lies in:

• Communicating with professors from different cultural backgrounds

• Discussing business issues with classmates from around the world

• Developing business thinking through case analysis

Rather than simply learning theories, cross-cultural communication and the exchange of perspectives are important parts of the MBA experience.

How can students apply for a Teaching Assistant position in the UCR MBA program?

Based on my experience, I would recommend:

• Maintaining a strong Grade Point Average (GPA) during the first year of graduate study

• Monitoring teaching and campus employment opportunities announced by the university

• Asking professors and senior students about their experiences

• Developing communication and classroom management skills in advance

A Teaching Assistant needs more than academic ability. The position also requires responsibility, communication skills, and the ability to respond effectively in the classroom.

What I Gained from UCR

Looking back on my experience at the UCR School of Business, I believe the greatest benefit of studying abroad was not simply earning an MBA degree.

More importantly, I learned how to:

• Solve problems independently

• Communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds

• Take initiative when facing challenges

• View the world from a more open perspective

If you are considering pursuing an MBA in the United States, I hope my experience can provide a useful point of reference.

Everyone follows a different study-abroad journey. However, with thoughtful preparation and the courage to step outside your comfort zone, the experience can become an important part of your personal and professional growth.