About Fabian: Fabian grew up in Germany, studied Mechanical Engineering, and earned an M.Sc. from RWTH Aachen University in Germany and from Tsinghua University in China. During this time, he stayed in California three times for several months each: once for a Semester abroad at UCSB in Santa Barbara, once for an internship at Tesla in Silicon Valley, and once in Sacramento for his Master’s Thesis. After graduating, he moved to Hamburg, Germany, and worked as a consultant at McKinsey for 3 years, focusing on operations projects in manufacturing and product development. Fabian decided to pursue a MBA at Anderson to pivot into a US role, shift his focus towards tech products, and gain leadership skills.

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Moving across the world to begin an MBA is both exciting and humbling, no matter how often you have traveled before. Even though I had lived, studied, and worked in California during earlier chapters of my life, returning now as an international student felt different — a true reset that blended anticipation, uncertainty, and the hope of finding a new community. In the weeks before my program began, I often thought about what starting over in a new country would feel like, how quickly I would adapt, and what surprises awaited me on and off campus. Little did I know that the first few weeks at UCLA Anderson would become some of the most intense, transformative, and welcoming moments of my life.

The months leading up to my move were a careful mix of planning and daydreaming. As an international student, the checklist felt endless: visa appointment preparation, financial documentation, health insurance verification, immunization forms, flight bookings, remotely finding a place to stay for the initial time, getting a US phone contract, and even deciding which German staples to squeeze into my luggage. While the application process for the visa felt like it would never end, public F1 visa guides are extremely helpful. The interview at the consulate itself went very smoothly, with wait times in the consulate being longer than what I experienced in the past.

Landing in Los Angeles was the beginning of a whirlwind as my first week was filled with organizational tasks while being on campus all day. Luckily, I successfully applied via Anderson for UCLA off-campus housing, where I got a spot at the beginning of the term, allowing me to avoid the adventures of the LA housing market. I also had a rental car for the first week to run errands, like picking up furniture from IKEA, going to the bank to update my account information, and visiting car dealerships for a more permanent ride. While not everything was smooth, there were many sources of support ranging from fellow peers to student affairs.

Orientation week felt like drinking from a firehose, in the absolute best way. Suddenly, the names and profile pictures from Slack became real people. I met my learning team, a diverse group of classmates whose perspectives challenged and expanded my own from the very first conversation, and with whom you closely collaborate throughout your first year. The classroom environment was unlike anything I had experienced before. Lectures felt more like discussions, fast and energetic, filled with examples from industries around the world. I found myself speaking up more than expected, not despite my international background, but because of it — realizing that my experiences often added valuable contrast. Outside the classroom, a sense of community developed incredibly quickly. Social events, coffee chats, excursions, and spontaneous meals turned strangers into friends. Early highlights were the Challenge course and the Section Olympics— a wild, spirited competition where teamwork, skills, and friendly rivalry brought our cohort together. 

Looking back, those first weeks taught me lessons that go far beyond academics. I learned that being an international student at Anderson means constantly toggling between excitement and vulnerability — and that both are part of the growth journey. I learned how cultural differences aren’t obstacles, they are assets that enrich discussions, deepen friendships, and spark new perspectives. I learned that the Anderson community doesn’t just talk about collaboration and shared success, it lives it, every single day.

If you’re reading this as someone considering Anderson from abroad, here are a few key things that make your arrival and life in the long run easier: 

(1) Before applying for a visa, make sure that your passport is valid for more than 5 years (the maximum validity for an F1 visa), as it will make your life much easier a few years from now.

(2) Apply via Anderson for UCLA housing as it’s simpler to get than an apartment on the open market.

(3) An easy way to make the first 24 hours more relaxed is to order an eSIM from a mobile carrier like Mint Mobile that can be paid for and activated out of the country, giving you instant access to mobile data without a premium price.

(4) Make a reservation for the Santa Monica DMV and follow the instructions given!

As I continue my journey, I’m excited to explore new paths in tech, sustainable mobility, and entrepreneurship, and to keep growing as a global leader. The first weeks at Anderson were overwhelming, inspiring, and transformative all at once. They reminded me why I took the leap to move across the world and why this community already feels like home. For every international student wondering whether the transition is worth it: I believe it absolutely is. Anderson doesn’t just give you an MBA, it gives you a place where your story can expand, evolve, and truly begin.

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Student Blogger: Fabian Schraudolf ‘27

Undergrad: M.Sc. RWTH Aachen University and M.Sc. Tsinghua University

Pre-MBA: Expert Consultant at McKinsey Germany

Leadership@Anderson: Director of Competition, Entrepreneur Association; Director of Interviewing, Admissions Ambassador Corps; Director of Treks and Social Events, Tennis Club; Director of Stewardship, Anderson Philanthropy Council