International Student Stories brought to you by Study in the USA

Epizodai

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  Set, Spike, Scholarship: A Student-Athlete's Journey 16.07.2026 50min

  International Student Stories – Episode featuring Luisa In this episode, we sit down with Luisa, a German international student who came to the US to play volleyball on scholarship at Madonna University — and ended up building a career as a television news reporter at Fox 47 in Lansing, Michigan. Luisa shares what it was really like to leave her hometown of Potsdam, Germany, navigate a new language and culture, and push herself out of her comfort zone at every turn — from working as a barista...
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  Empowering Fellow Students — Turning Challenges into Opportunities 10.03.2026 1val 12min

  Liberty Hombe is an advocate for justice — the ultimate example of someone who turns challenges into opportunities. Liberty is a pre-med student born in Zimbabwe but spent much of his childhood in South Africa. He is attending Minnesota State University in Mankato and has started several student organizations that help improve the lives of international students. Today, you can find Liberty empowering students to find their voice as he himself exemplifies the change he wants to see in the wor...
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  The Psychology of Test-Taking: How to Crush Anxiety and Succeed in Life 12.02.2026 27min

  SEASON 3 — EPISODE 7The Psychology of Test-Taking: How to Crush Anxiety and Succeed in Life Dr. Dimitrios Vonofakos joins us to continue the conversation sparked in our previous episode, “Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of a Grad School Exam,” alongside Anish Merchant. But this time, we go deeper. Drawing from his background in psychoanalysis and his work at Merchant GMAT & Admissions, Dr. Dimitrios explores the psychological foundations of test-taking — unpacking why anxiety aris...
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  Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of Grad School Exams 12.02.2026 30min

  SEASON 3 — EPISODE 6Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of Grad School Exams Anish Merchant often references “The Hero’s Journey” — the timeless story of a protagonist who leaves home in search of belonging, only to discover that the journey itself reshapes who they are. Inspired by that narrative, Anish left the United States in pursuit of his own grand adventure. His path led him to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he discovered not only a new home, but a new calling. What could have been...
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  Unlocking the Universe: From Forbes 30 Under 30 to New Frontiers in Science 12.02.2026 34min

  SEASON 3 — EPISODE 5Unlocking the Universe: From Forbes 30 Under 30 to New Frontiers in Science (Part 2) Maryam Esmat returns for Part 2 of her extraordinary two-part interview — and this chapter expands from storytelling to the cosmos. A Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 honoree, Maryam continues to push the boundaries of astrophysics while pursuing her Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of her work with NASA, through AURA (Association of Universi...
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  Prologue to Greatness: Author, Astrophysicist, and Mentor 12.02.2026 28min

  SEASON 3 — EPISODE 4Prologue to Greatness: Author, Astrophysicist, and Mentor At just 24 years old, Maryam Esmat’s life already reads like a greatest hits album. Recognized on Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 for her groundbreaking work in astrophysics, and named the youngest published author in the Middle East, Maryam has achieved what many spend a lifetime pursuing. Yet, if you ask her where we are in her story, she’ll tell you something unexpected: We’ve only read the prologue. Born and rais...
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  Elevating the Student Voices of Tomorrow 12.02.2026 24min

  SEASON 3 — EPISODE 3Elevating the Student Voices of Tomorrow (Part 2) Danny Nguyen returns for Part 2 of his powerful two-part interview — shifting the conversation from personal history to future impact. Now serving as Vice President of Administrative Services at Mission College, Danny brings both lived experience and institutional leadership to the table. Having once been a refugee child searching for belonging, and later an educator deeply shaped by his students, he understands the transfo...
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  Escaping 1977 Vietnam: Finding a Place to Belong 12.02.2026 31min

  SEASON 3 — EPISODE 2Escaping 1977 Vietnam: Finding a Place to Belong A year remembered for the Fall of Saigon and “Black April.” A year marked by uncertainty, upheaval, and impossible decisions. For Danny Nguyen and his family, it was the year everything changed. Caught in the aftermath of a war-torn Vietnam, Danny’s parents faced a choice no family should have to make. Call it courage. Call it desperation. They wanted a better life for their children — and if that meant boarding a small boat...
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  Rewriting the Code: Black Women in STEM 12.02.2026 25min

  SEASON 3 — EPISODE 1Rewriting the Code: Black Women in STEM Jessie Gentles is part of the 3%. The tech industry has become one of the most lucrative and fast-growing sectors in the world. But within that rapid growth lies a stark reality: Black women represent only a small fraction of the IT workforce. Born in Jamaica and now a software engineering student at Miami University, Jessie is determined to change that narrative. In this powerful Season 3 premiere, Jessie shares her journey from Jam...
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  The Future of EdTech: Hope, Empathy, and Connection 12.02.2026 27min

  SEASON 2 — EPISODE 5The Future of EdTech: Hope, Empathy, and Connection (Part 2) Paige Steffy returns for Part 2 of her two-part conversation — and this episode shifts from personal journey to global perspective. Having experienced life as an international graduate student in the U.K., Paige understands firsthand the emotional complexity of studying abroad: the uncertainty, the excitement, the homesickness, the growth. Now, working within the EdTech space at Unibuddy, she stands alongside stu...
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  Chasing the Hogwarts Fantasy: Transporting to the U.K. 12.02.2026 24min

  SEASON 2 — EPISODE 4Chasing the Hogwarts Fantasy: Transporting to the U.K. (Part 1) For many, the magic of Harry Potter was an escape into another world. For Paige Steffy, it was also a glimpse into her future. Inspired by stories of adventure and possibility, Paige pursued her own international journey. She graduated from UC Davis with a double major in Psychology and Spanish, then worked in the admissions office at Willamette University, helping guide students through their own higher educa...
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  Engineering a Legacy: Overcoming Expectations, Gender Roles, and Cancer 12.02.2026 34min

  SEASON 2 — EPISODE 3Engineering a Legacy: Overcoming Expectations, Gender Roles, and Cancer (Part 2) Juliana Pereira returns for Part 2 of her powerful two-part interview — and this chapter reveals the depth of her resilience. Now working as a Geotechnical Engineer, Juliana carries not only the technical responsibility of her profession, but also a deep sense of purpose. As a woman in STEM, she understands the weight of representation and the importance of opening doors for the next generatio...
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  Breaking Societal Norms: Women Do Belong in STEM 12.02.2026 29min

  SEASON 2 — EPISODE 2Breaking Societal Norms: Women Do Belong in STEM (Part 1) Juliana Pereira is a trailblazer. Raised by a single mother in Florianópolis, Brazil, she learned early that there is no limit to what women can achieve. Determined, ambitious, and fearless in pursuit of impact, Juliana began college at just 16 years old and earned her degree in journalism. But her vision extended beyond storytelling — she wanted to build, design, and reshape the world in tangible ways. That desire ...
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  Court's in Session: Restarting a Law Career in a New Country: Episode 13 with Rezarta Mataj 12.02.2026 44min

  SEASON 2 — EPISODE 1Court’s in Session: Restarting a Law Career in a New Country Rezarta Mataj had already built an extraordinary career at a remarkably young age. By 24, she had become a federal judge in Albania. Soon after, she built a beautiful family and earned recognition as an adjunct professor at both public and private law schools across the country. By every measure, she had achieved success. Yet, there was a quiet but persistent thought she could not ignore — the belief that she cou...
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  Turning Inspiration Into Your Career Path, Part 2 12.02.2026 30min

  SEASON 1 — EPISODE 8Moving Out of Your Comfort Zone (Part 2) Valeria Rivera returns for Part 2 of her powerful two-part interview — and this episode goes even deeper. In this conversation, we explore Valeria’s love of art, creative expression, and the inspiration she draws from her lived experiences. She reflects on the mentors, family members, and life moments that have shaped not only her artistic perspective, but her outlook on life. We also discuss a topic that resonates with many interna...
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  Moving Out of Your Comfort Zone, Part 1 12.02.2026 27min

  SEASON 1 — EPISODE 7Moving Out of Your Comfort Zone (Part 1) Valeria Rivera embodies the powerful growth that happens when you choose courage over comfort. Originally from San Salvador, El Salvador, Valeria came to the United States as a shy international student unsure of her voice and place in a new culture. Today, she is just one semester away from earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Commercial Design from Lycoming College — and she has transformed into a bold, con...
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  An Outlook with a Mission 12.02.2026 49min

  SEASON 1 — EPISODE 2 Faith, Family, and Finding Purpose Abroad In Episode 2, we sit down with Pietro Rossini, a 29-year-old Xaverian Missionary from Salerno, Italy, currently pursuing his Master of Science in Journalism at Boston University. Before beginning graduate studies, Pietro completed an ESL program at Framingham State University — an experience that helped shape his transition into academic and cultural life in the United States. Today, he is also the host of his own podcast, Mission...
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  Your Voice and Mine — the Intro 12.02.2026 11min

  SEASON 1 — EPISODE 1Welcome to International Student Stories Welcome to the very first episode of International Student Stories, a podcast proudly brought to you by Study in the USA — a trusted leader in international student recruitment and higher education marketing since 1977. For nearly five decades, Study in the USA has partnered with colleges, universities, and English language programs across the United States to connect institutions with prospective international students worldwide. T...