Engineering in Germany to Business Leadership at UC Davis

How the Master of Management built my global business perspective

Blog
March 19, 2026
Ahmad Karim Katta MM 25

A man wearing a graduation stole stands in front of George Hart Hall on a sunny day. — Master of Management alumnus Karim Katta walks past George Hart Hall at UC Davis, where he says the campus feels like a city within a city.

Moving across the Atlantic to join the inaugural Master of Management (MM) cohort at UC Davis was more than just an academic pivot. It was a leap into a role I had not fully anticipated: becoming a cultural and economic ambassador.

After completing my engineering degree in Germany and gaining early professional experience in design and project management, I realized that technical expertise alone was not enough. I wanted to deepen my understanding of business analytics, leadership strategy and organizational decision-making.

When I discovered the newly launched UC Davis MM, the curriculum immediately resonated with me. It offered exactly the toolkit I needed to transition into the next phase of my career.

The Ambassador Advantage

As the only international student in my cohort, I must admit I felt a bit intimidated at first. However, that uncertainty quickly transformed into my greatest leverage. In business school, perspective is everything.

While my classmates provided the American context, I became the living representative of the European market.

Whether we were discussing supply chains, consumer trends or regulatory frameworks, I found myself acting as a bridge between two worlds. This was not just about earning participation points; it was about fostering a transatlantic dialogue. I realized that being "different" in a classroom is a leadership opportunity in disguise.

Contributing through an international lens sharpened my classmates’ understanding and my confidence as a leader capable of operating across cultures.

Life in the Bicycle Capital

A group of people sit around two tables covered with white tablecloths, sharing a meal in a well-lit room with large windows and a clock on the wall. — Karim Katta (third from right), seated with Master of Management students and Dean Rao Unnava, attends a celebratory lunch after winning a program challenge at UC Davis.

Beyond the classroom, Davis quickly felt like home. As a city where students make up over 60 percent of the population, the energy is unique. I have rarely felt that kind of supportive atmosphere elsewhere.

Arriving in Davis was an experience in itself. The campus, which is the largest by area in the University of California system, felt like a city within a city. I was quickly advised to buy a bike (essential advice in Davis!) and soon found myself immersed in a community where student life shapes the rhythm of the town.

I really liked my routine there. I would start the morning with a swim, grab a coffee on campus and settle into the Student Community Center (SCC). The SCC was one of my favorite spots because it was so central to campus life. Located right near the Silo and Coho Cafe, it offered the perfect variety of spaces. Whether I needed a quiet desk for solo deep work or a comfortable couch for group discussions, it always felt like the heart of the student community. If you find yourself there, you must try a Caramel Coho Blast from the Coho Cafe.

One of the best things about being on such a large, comprehensive research campus was the variety of things you could do outside of class. There are clubs for almost everything, from sports to cultural or subject-based organizations. These are the best places to get to know like-minded friends, connect with others, and enjoy the common interests you share.

I also decided to fulfill a childhood dream: learning to ride horses. Completing equestrian training up to Level 3 at the campus Equestrian Center taught me discipline and focus in a way no textbook could.

Learning to ride required composure and trust, qualities that mirrored the leadership lessons we explored in class. It was the perfect way to break the routine and clear my head for intensive business projects.

Two men stand on a rooftop terrace with city skyscrapers in the background, both wearing name badges and winter clothing. — Karim Katta, left, attends a networking conference in San Francisco with Adeeb Syed, a UC Davis electrical engineering major.

Bridging Theory and Practice

The strategic location of Davis cannot be overstated. Being so close to the Bay Area and Silicon Valley allowed us to move seamlessly from theory to practice. My friends and I would often put on business casual attire, find networking events on Luma, and head into the city to engage with founders and industry leaders.

As a Fulbright grantee, I joined a prestigious U.S. Department of State exchange program spanning more than 140 countries and became part of a global community of scholars. We shared hikes and explored the nearby mountains, building a network that has stayed with me.

Parallel to that global community, the bonds within my own program were just as strong.

Recently, a fellow Master of Management friend visited me in Germany during a layover, and we managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the Netherlands. That is the kind of lifelong connection the GSM fosters.

The Next Chapter: Empowering the Next Generation

Fast forward to today: I am serving as a program officer and project manager at Avicenna-Studienwerk, which is Germany’s youngest state-recognized foundation for gifted students.

In my role, I design nationwide educational formats, mentor high-achieving scholars and lead our flagship annual conference for over 400 participants. I also chair selection committees alongside professors and industry leaders.

The "ambassador" mindset I developed at Davis is now my daily reality as I optimize organizational processes and lead teams.

Time went by very fast. I truly enjoyed every moment during my time at UC Davis and look forward to visiting the campus again for some nostalgic moments.

Being part of the inaugural cohort was a privilege, and being its only international student made the journey uniquely transformative.

To any prospective international student considering the UC Davis MM: Do not just look at the curriculum; look at the platform. You are not just coming here to study. You are coming here to represent your perspective and build a global bridge.