A Fulbright Scholar’s Year of Research, Community and Discovery

When Arian Hoefig first began looking for opportunities to study in the United States, the Fulbright Program stood out as more than just a scholarship. It was the opportunity that could make his exchange year possible. 

“I always wanted to spend a year in the United States, but funding was an issue,” Arian said. “I had a backup university in France, so I was very happy when I discovered I was selected for the Fulbright Program.”

As one of the most prestigious international exchange programs in the world, the Fulbright Program supports educational and cultural exchange between the United States and countries around the world. For Arian, being selected meant he could spend a year at UC Davis conducting research, taking courses and experiencing life in California.

UC Davis was an obvious choice for Arian because of the university’s longstanding partnership with his home institution, RWTH Aachen University in Germany. But what excited Arian most about UC Davis was the opportunity to study aerospace engineering, participate in research and experience the university’s famously bike-friendly campus.

Researching the Future of Aviation

At UC Davis, Arian joined the Davis Applied Aerodynamics Lab, where he conducts wind tunnel experiments related to turbulence research and airfoil optimization. 

“I’m currently building a device to measure the drag of an airfoil,” he said. 

Arian said he enjoys the lab’s collaborative environment. 

“I am not working alone,” he said. “I am part of a bigger team, which makes the whole experience a lot more fun.”

He even discovered that one of his coworkers had spent several months in Germany in a city right next to his hometown. 

Although Arian had previous experience conducting wind tunnel research in Germany, he said the academic experience at UC Davis has been very different.

“Instead of homework and mandatory lectures, everything is optional in Germany. The grade depends 100% on a single final exam,” he said. “That leads to more freedom in choosing your style of studying while also putting more pressure on you for the final exam and giving you more responsibility.”

Finding Community Through GSP

While the Fulbright Program made Arian’s exchange year possible, the Global Study Program enhanced his experience once he arrived on campus. GSP helped him meet visa requirements and connect with students from around the world.

For Arian, those connections became one of the most meaningful parts of his time in Davis.

“The most valuable lesson is that you are capable of a lot more than you expect,” he said. “With GSP, I had a lot of new experiences, made friends I still keep in touch with and learned about other cultures.”

Those friendships extended far beyond the classroom. During his time in California, Arian traveled with students he met through GSP, including a recent trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park with two friends from Japan.

Interacting with students from different countries also changed the way he thinks about culture and everyday life.

“I learned that there is no such thing as a ‘normal thing to do,’” he said. “Everyone is different, and what seems totally normal to one culture might not be to another.”

Life in Davis

While Arian was initially surprised by how hot Davis can be, what really impressed him was how bike-friendly the campus is.

“I was positively surprised by the bike culture and bike infrastructure,” he said. “It is excellent even by European standards.”

Compared to universities in Germany, Arian was also impressed with the wide range of opportunities to get involved outside the classroom. From club expos to athletic events, campus life feels active and community-oriented.

Outside of campus, Arian found another source of community through co-op living. His co-op became a place where there was always someone to talk to, something to build or a project to contribute to.

“In a co-op, you are never lonely or bored,” he said.

One memorable project was helping build a stage in the co-op’s garden for bands that regularly play shows there. The community also grows its own food and spices and keeps chickens for eggs.

“I like the idea of independent living and self-organizing communities,” he said.

Exploring California and a New Way of Thinking

Arian’s year in the United States also gave him the chance to explore California’s natural landscapes. Yosemite became his favorite national park in the state, while Bryce Canyon in Utah stood out as his overall favorite.

“It is a surreal experience,” he said.

Traveling around California helped him better understand the diversity of the state’s geography, cities and culture.

“The nature is very beautiful and versatile compared to the nature in Germany,” he said. “I had a great time exploring new things.”

What stood out most to Arian was the optimism and openness of people he met. He also appreciated the casual way people communicate, even in professional settings, and their willingness to begin projects without planning every step in advance.

“In an overexaggerated way, you could say that Germans plan 10 out of 10 steps of a project, and when there is a problem in the ninth step, the project does not start,” he said. “Americans start with step one and figure things out as they go.”

That mindset is something Arian hopes to bring back with him to Germany.

“I want to bring back the optimism and willingness to do things without planning every detail,” he said.

Looking Ahead

As Arian prepares to return to Germany, he plans to write his master’s thesis and is considering pursuing a doctorate. His year at UC Davis has shaped both his academic goals and his personal outlook.

“I learned a lot in the classroom and in the lab,” he said. “I think it will help me navigate international projects a lot better, which is very important in the aerospace industry and in research in general.”

Most of all, he will remember the people.

“Getting to know all the people was the most meaningful part of my time at UC Davis,” he said. “People here are very open and communicative, so it’s easy to make friends, which meant a lot to me in a country so far from home.”

For other students who are considering studying abroad at UC Davis, Arian’s advice is practical and direct: prepare for the summer heat, start looking for housing early and consider using Facebook Marketplace to find affordable used items.

“I acquired some very nice used items, including a used bike,” he said.

From aerospace research to co-op living, national parks and cross-cultural friendships, Arian’s year at UC Davis reminded him of what can happen when you step into a new environment with curiosity, openness and a willingness to try new things.