From Aachen to Aggie: Patricia Kuom’s Engineering Stay

When Patricia Kuom was a young girl growing up in Ulm, Germany, she would have stirring conversations about engineering principles with her mechanical engineer father. Technical topics were common in the Kuom household, and family trips often turned into engineering discussions. 

“Rather than just admiring the Eiffel Tower’s beauty, we would discuss how forces are distributed or how much it expands in summer compared to winter," she recalled. “While my sister and mom usually got bored by these discussions, I found them fascinating.” 

Kuom’s childhood curiosity grew into a passion worth pursuing, bolstered by her interests in math, science and problem-solving. And as a student at RWTH Aachen University in Germany, Kuom decided to take those family trips to the next level and study abroad at the University of California, Davis. 

During her six-month stay, Kuom lived the life of an Aggie engineer. She was introduced to a new academic experience, integrated into an unfamiliar culture  and exposed to different yet productive study approaches. Now back in her hometown, Kuom reflects on her experience as one that will impact her for a lifetime.

UC Davis: The Right Fit Abroad 

Kuom wanted to study abroad during her bachelor’s program instead of her master’s, but finding a materials engineering program was tough. Programs are limited, and studying abroad in one can be challenging due to the field’s size. 

Kuom lucked out. RWTH Aachen University and UC Davis are partners in the Global Study Program, a program facilitated by UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education. Through the Global Study Program, international students can enroll in regular UC Davis courses and earn transferable academic credits.

Kuom was drawn to UC Davis’ cohesive campus environment, unlike her home university, where multiple buildings are dispersed throughout the city. She imagined herself walking across a big campus alongside fellow students. The proximity to the Bay Area’s tech industry and the opportunity to study in English further solidified her decision. 

Acclimating to Foreign Learning Structures 

Back in Germany, the curriculum consists of learning about various specific materials such as steel, ceramics and non-ferrous metals. At her home university, materials science and materials engineering are separated. Courses at UC Davis focus on fundamental aspects of both, exposing students to topics like semiconductors and failure analysis. 

“Looking at photovoltaic systems, solar cells and batteries, that was completely new to me,” she shared.

The continuous assessment at UC Davis initially felt unfamiliar. Students in Germany typically study intensively for weeks, as their entire grade depends on a single final exam. At UC Davis, the 10-week-long quarter system — with homework, quizzes and ongoing assessments — required adjustment. 

Kuom also noticed a stark difference in classroom culture. Here, she found that students were more motivated and eager to learn, and many frequently asked questions. While professors in Germany are more focused on their research, it is more common at UC Davis for professors to engage with students through discussions, especially during office hours.  

“You don’t have to fear communicating with [UC Davis professors], and they’re really interested in what you are doing,” she said. 

As she adjusted to the new academic structure, she gradually found herself preferring the quarter system. Kuom realized that it helped her to be more engaged and less stressed by the end of the quarter, as the curriculum prepares students throughout the course of 10 weeks. 

Hands-on Engineering at UC Davis 

During her academic stay, Kuom found that taking a course in the Senior Design Capstone Series called “Materials Design Project,” taught by Amir Saeidi, associate professor of teaching in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, was the most impactful thing she did. Despite the course requiring the participation of all three quarters, she was able to join a team with the permission of her professor. Her team is developing a polymer-based battery cathode as a cost-effective alternative to graphite felt. 

“In Germany, we do not have anything comparable [to Senior Design], since university is more research-focused and we are required to write a bachelor’s thesis in our final year instead,” Kuom shares. “Being able to work in a group on an engineering problem has been valuable, as it allows me to develop practical, project-based problem-solving skills that I probably would not gain in the same way in Germany.” 

This hands-on course enabled the team to learn to organize projects efficiently and independently. From researching materials to contacting labs, the process pushed them to constantly practice problem-solving in the face of unexpected issues. The experience strengthened her project management skills and introduced her to industry-oriented engineering. 

“It taught me a lot about how to start a whole project and how to manage it,” she said.  

Expanding Beyond Academics Internationally

Though Kuom’s stay was limited to six months, she took every opportunity to build her international network. Along with her classmates, she connected with other students from her program through social events and traveling. Through the German Club at UC Davis, she felt a sense of familiarity and comfort with other German international students like herself.  

Kuom formed close friendships through UC Davis Outdoor Adventures and the Ski and Snowboard Club, with which she spent many weekends on Northern California slopes and exploring California’s national parks. 

And within the materials science and engineering department, small class sizes fostered connections. 

“They know your names,” she shared. “All my classmates know who I am and that I am an international student, so they were really helpful to show me everything.”

An Aggie Engineer Abroad 

Though her time at UC Davis was temporary, leaving before the spring quarter, the impact is lasting. Drawing on her experiences, Kuom hopes to bring back stronger study habits and greater classroom engagement with her to Germany. 

For Kuom, studying abroad has been more than an academic exchange — it has been an opportunity to expand how she thinks about engineering, learning and collaborating. From adjusting to a new academic environment to gaining hands-on industry experience, her time at UC Davis challenged and refined her approach. That broader perspective on this field is what she hopes to carry forward. 

“It is important to explore topics that I cannot study in Germany and bring these insights back with me,” she said. “For me, this half year was really wonderful, getting to know people and looking into different topics that I didn’t know before.”