Internationalie
By Ruth Tekleab
From academics to social life, to time management skills, tune-in to listen about how to make the most out of your college experience as an international student.
Internationalie Jan 30, 2024
00:00
39:28
Episode 29: Dealing with Mental Health as a Child of Immigrants
This week I am joined by Elyas Tecle. He is currently a Cloud Sales representative at Google, originally from the Philadelphia area. His parents are from Ethiopia and Eritrea and he has lived in New York for the last 5 years. He studied International Relations and Consumer Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, but pivoted towards tech in his career - working his way through roles at IBM, Salesforce, and now at Google.
In this episode, we talked about the struggles we faced to prioritize our mental health particularly as children of immigrants and international students. The constant need to fulfill the expectations set by our parents and ourselves can sometimes be draining. We discussed the stigma associated with seeking professional help in our community and addressed the importance creating a support system that we can lean on during difficult times.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about the struggles we faced to prioritize our mental health particularly as children of immigrants and international students. The constant need to fulfill the expectations set by our parents and ourselves can sometimes be draining. We discussed the stigma associated with seeking professional help in our community and addressed the importance creating a support system that we can lean on during difficult times.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Jan 30, 202439:28
Episode 28: Dealing with Mentorship
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend Susan. She is from Maputo, Mozambique and graduated from Smith College with a double major in Economics and Government in 2019. Susan is currently pursuing a PhD in international studies, with a research focus on sustainable economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her current research projects investigate the effects of foreign capital investments from three emerging economies (Brazil, China, and South Africa) on development outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In this episode, we talked about the importance of mentorship and the significant role it played in both our personal and professional lives. We discussed how to identify a potential mentor, what to look for in a mentorship relationship and the importance of giving back to others.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about the importance of mentorship and the significant role it played in both our personal and professional lives. We discussed how to identify a potential mentor, what to look for in a mentorship relationship and the importance of giving back to others.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Dec 01, 202340:14
Episode 27: Dealing with Challenges-Aiming for and Achieving Professional Success
This week I am joined by Sinafik who is originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is a Mount Holyoke Class of 2015 graduate. She currently serves as the Executive Director for Your Ethiopian Professionals (YEP), a 501(C)(3)non-profit organization founded in 2010, that aims to be a global connection point for the professional community. Outside of her tenure at YEP, she works as Account Executive, Assistant Vice President for Employee Benefits in Lockton Northeast's Washington, D.C. office and serves as the primary business contact for clients. She also founded and co-manages Birara Genet, a non-profit organization that empowers under-represented community members in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia through targeted and job-relevant skill training programs.
In this episode, we talked about how we each maneuvered the unique challenges we faced as international students and shared some tips that worked for us to successfully navigate the journey of being an international student. Major takeaways include finding belongingness in the space you inhabit, stepping out of the scarcity mindset, tapping into resources, diversifying your network and most importantly giving yourself agency and being kind to yourself as you discover what success means to you.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about how we each maneuvered the unique challenges we faced as international students and shared some tips that worked for us to successfully navigate the journey of being an international student. Major takeaways include finding belongingness in the space you inhabit, stepping out of the scarcity mindset, tapping into resources, diversifying your network and most importantly giving yourself agency and being kind to yourself as you discover what success means to you.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Nov 01, 202301:01:37
Episode 26: Dealing with Emotional Intelligence
This week I am joined by my dear friend Weza. Weza is currently building a goldsmith company in Switzerland with a strong focus on sustainability and blockchain technology. He gave a TEDx speech, with insights in his personal entrepreneurial journey on how blockchain technology can enable justice within the jewelry industry.
Weza is completing a Double Master’s Degree with a M.Sc. in International Management and M.A. in International Law and the Managing Climate Solution program (MaCS) at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), where he also founded the Africa Association – leading with the purpose generation in mind. He is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community Zurich Hub and was most recently elected as the Youth Ambassador for Climate Change at EC 22’.
Weza mostly focuses on psychological spheres and writes a Memoire “The Power of Perspective Taking” about Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and its success factors. On a personal note, Weza is Angolan and Italian, and grew up in Switzerland and is always seen dancing since fifteen years old, being a Salsa/Bachata dance teacher in Zurich.
In this episode, we talked about how emotional intelligence helped us navigate our journeys as international students and also the importance of open-mindedness and how that helped us become adaptable to our new surroundings. “In a world where knowledge is abundant, emotional intelligence becomes the true differentiator.”
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Weza is completing a Double Master’s Degree with a M.Sc. in International Management and M.A. in International Law and the Managing Climate Solution program (MaCS) at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), where he also founded the Africa Association – leading with the purpose generation in mind. He is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community Zurich Hub and was most recently elected as the Youth Ambassador for Climate Change at EC 22’.
Weza mostly focuses on psychological spheres and writes a Memoire “The Power of Perspective Taking” about Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and its success factors. On a personal note, Weza is Angolan and Italian, and grew up in Switzerland and is always seen dancing since fifteen years old, being a Salsa/Bachata dance teacher in Zurich.
In this episode, we talked about how emotional intelligence helped us navigate our journeys as international students and also the importance of open-mindedness and how that helped us become adaptable to our new surroundings. “In a world where knowledge is abundant, emotional intelligence becomes the true differentiator.”
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Aug 30, 202326:58
Episode 25: Dealing with Discomfort
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend Stuti. Stuti is from Gurgaon in India and was an international student at Smith College, in western Massachusetts. She majored in Quantitative Economics with a minor in Statistics and Data Science and graduated in 2022. She currently works in the international development space, at the The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab or J-PAL and is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In this episode, we talked about the different discomforts we face as international students ranging from the weather, food, culture and even our identities. We talked about how we each navigated through the different hurdles we faced and the importance of leaning into healthy habits to cope with our discomfort.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about the different discomforts we face as international students ranging from the weather, food, culture and even our identities. We talked about how we each navigated through the different hurdles we faced and the importance of leaning into healthy habits to cope with our discomfort.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Jul 30, 202356:23
Episode 24: Dealing with Job Search
This week, I am joined by my dear friend Soriene. She is originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She completed her undergraduate education at Bryn Mawr College in Mathematics and Economics. After graduating in 2020, she worked at Yale University as a Research Assistant. She’s currently an Economics PhD student at Northwestern University.
In this episode, we discussed our experiences when it comes to finding internships during college as international students and also securing full time jobs afterwards. We talked about the struggles we faced when applying to these positions as international students and how we overcame them. Furthermore, we highlighted the importance of networking, taking advantage of our college’s career service centers and cultivating our relationships with our professors in helping us secure jobs and internships.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we discussed our experiences when it comes to finding internships during college as international students and also securing full time jobs afterwards. We talked about the struggles we faced when applying to these positions as international students and how we overcame them. Furthermore, we highlighted the importance of networking, taking advantage of our college’s career service centers and cultivating our relationships with our professors in helping us secure jobs and internships.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
May 30, 202351:38
Episode 23: Dealing with Building a Community
This week, I am very excited to be joined by Zeresenay “Zee” Berhane Mehari who is an award-winning writer/director born and raised in Ethiopia. Zee moved to the U.S. to attend film school and founded Haile - Addis Pictures to produce his first narrative feature film, Difret, which was Executive Produced by Angelina Jolie and won Audience Awards at both the Sundance and Berlin International Film Festivals. His next feature film, Sweetness in the Belly, based on the international best-selling novel of the same name by Camilla Gibb set during the Ethiopian revolution in the 1970s, was a Canadian-Irish co-production starring Dakota Fanning and Yahya
Abdul-Mateen and had its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was distributed by Entertainment One and Gravitas Ventures and was the first feature film helmed by an African director financed by Canada’s public Telefilms fund.
Zee was most recently co-founder and Head of Original Content for Kana Television, the popular free-to-air, private satellite entertainment TV channel in Ethiopia which was recently acquired by Canal Plus. Zee is currently Head of Production and a co-founder of A51 Pictures, an independent film production company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is currently developing a slate of films for the local and international market. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.
In this episode, we talked about the importance of building a community and serving as a bridge between communities. We discussed how vital it is for international students to become part of different communities in college and how those new communities can become family away from family.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Abdul-Mateen and had its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was distributed by Entertainment One and Gravitas Ventures and was the first feature film helmed by an African director financed by Canada’s public Telefilms fund.
Zee was most recently co-founder and Head of Original Content for Kana Television, the popular free-to-air, private satellite entertainment TV channel in Ethiopia which was recently acquired by Canal Plus. Zee is currently Head of Production and a co-founder of A51 Pictures, an independent film production company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is currently developing a slate of films for the local and international market. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.
In this episode, we talked about the importance of building a community and serving as a bridge between communities. We discussed how vital it is for international students to become part of different communities in college and how those new communities can become family away from family.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Apr 30, 202354:59
Episode 22: Dealing with Identity
This week, I am joined by my dear friend Zoya. She is from Karachi, Pakistan (although she was born in Lahore, and spent a good part of her childhood in the Punjab province of Pakistan). She completed her undergraduate degree in the U.S. at Smith College, where she double-majored in Quantitative Economics and English Language and Literature. Currently, she is based right outside Washington D.C., where she works at an economic consulting firm.
In this episode, we talked about how we navigated our different identities in college whether it was our place of origin, our religion or even our gender. We discussed how our identity shifts and the importance of learning to be comfortable with our ever-changing identity and how that impacts the people we interact with and the friendships we form.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about how we navigated our different identities in college whether it was our place of origin, our religion or even our gender. We discussed how our identity shifts and the importance of learning to be comfortable with our ever-changing identity and how that impacts the people we interact with and the friendships we form.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Mar 30, 202356:57
Episode 21: Dealing with Shyness
This week I am joined by my very dear friend Maëlle. She is from a small city in the East of France, near the border with Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. She’s very passionate about dancing and gender equality. MaëlleI studied Political Science and International Public Management at Sciences Po in France and did a one-year exchange program at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Currently, she works in a think-tank focusing on Africa-EU relations, where she conducts research and analysis, mainly on conflicts, peace-building and gender equality.
In this episode, we talked about how to overcome shyness as an international student and how it can help us break down barriers with strangers. We discussed how we each navigated through our experience with shyness and some lessons that have helped us to confidently connect with people and share our ideas more openly.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about how to overcome shyness as an international student and how it can help us break down barriers with strangers. We discussed how we each navigated through our experience with shyness and some lessons that have helped us to confidently connect with people and share our ideas more openly.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Feb 26, 202339:12
Episode 20: Dealing with Dating and Relationships
This week I am joined by my dear friend Makeda. She was born in Houston, Texas and moved to Addis Ababa when she was 10 years old. Once she finished high school, she attended Rice University in Houston, Texas where she studied Economics. She is currently working as an Associate in Agro Processing with the Tony Blair Institute.
In this episode, we talked about our experiences with dating in college and the reasons why it can be a bit challenging to date while being a student in college. We discussed the value of self-awareness and understanding your priorities before dating someone and the importance of balancing friendships in building a healthy relationship.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about our experiences with dating in college and the reasons why it can be a bit challenging to date while being a student in college. We discussed the value of self-awareness and understanding your priorities before dating someone and the importance of balancing friendships in building a healthy relationship.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Nov 30, 202257:05
Episode 19: Dealing with Goal Setting
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend, Khulood. Khulood is Egyptian and grew up in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. She graduated from Smith College in 2019 with majors in Government and Comparative Literature. She recently graduated with a master's degree in International Affairs at the Fletcher School at Tufts University.
In this episode, we talked about the importance of goal setting and prioritizing as international students in college. We discussed how it’s acceptable for plans to change and the necessity of adaptability in setting our goals.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about the importance of goal setting and prioritizing as international students in college. We discussed how it’s acceptable for plans to change and the necessity of adaptability in setting our goals.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Oct 31, 202243:55
Episode 18: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend Heran. Heran is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She has a bachelor's degree in Public Health from Georgia State University, and a master's degree in Nursing from Emory University. She currently works in a Cardiac ICU as a registered nurse.
In this episode, we discussed how we each dealt with imposter syndrome while in college and navigating through the feeling of not-belonging. We talked about the importance of believing in ourselves and trusting our abilities. Additionally, we discussed some tips that helped us including avoiding comparison with others, eliminating self-doubt and setting realistic goals.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we discussed how we each dealt with imposter syndrome while in college and navigating through the feeling of not-belonging. We talked about the importance of believing in ourselves and trusting our abilities. Additionally, we discussed some tips that helped us including avoiding comparison with others, eliminating self-doubt and setting realistic goals.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Jul 30, 202256:14
Episode 17: Dealing with Culture Shock
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend Manavi. She is from Kolkata, India. Manavi went to Smith College and majored in Economics and graduated in May 2019. She is currently working on her own startup called The Health Nut.
In this episode, we talked about our experiences with culture shock, particularly the difficulty of adjusting to a new culture and navigating a new environment. We discussed the challenges we faced assimilating to a new environment as international students in college and the importance of being open-minded and listening to others to make the transition smoother.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about our experiences with culture shock, particularly the difficulty of adjusting to a new culture and navigating a new environment. We discussed the challenges we faced assimilating to a new environment as international students in college and the importance of being open-minded and listening to others to make the transition smoother.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Jun 26, 202257:39
Episode 16: Dealing with Mental Well-Being
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend Bethlehem. She is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is a graduate of Wesleyan University with
majors in Neuroscience and Biology and a minor in East Asian Studies. Outside of science, she studied French and Korean, and participated in a summer exchange program at Seoul National University. After college, she worked as a research assistant at Yale University for two years before moving to Atlanta to start her neuroscience PhD journey at Emory University. Outside of research, she likes to participate in group fitness classes, go for a walk in nature or try out new restaurants around the city.
In this episode, we discussed about the importance of prioritizing our mental well-being as international students. As the month of May is dedicated to #mentalhealthawareness, we talked about how finding community, embracing vulnerability and practicing intentionality can help us take care of our mental health.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
majors in Neuroscience and Biology and a minor in East Asian Studies. Outside of science, she studied French and Korean, and participated in a summer exchange program at Seoul National University. After college, she worked as a research assistant at Yale University for two years before moving to Atlanta to start her neuroscience PhD journey at Emory University. Outside of research, she likes to participate in group fitness classes, go for a walk in nature or try out new restaurants around the city.
In this episode, we discussed about the importance of prioritizing our mental well-being as international students. As the month of May is dedicated to #mentalhealthawareness, we talked about how finding community, embracing vulnerability and practicing intentionality can help us take care of our mental health.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
May 29, 202256:34
Episode 15: Dealing with Challenges
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend Nathan. He is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Nathan is currently a senior at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut with a major in Mechanical Engineering and with a minor in Mathematics. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball.
In this episode, we discussed how we each dealt with challenges we faced in college as international students from home sickness to culture shock to food. We also talked about some of the things we did to help us cope with the challenges of college life and the importance of focusing on our passion and goals to help us succeed.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we discussed how we each dealt with challenges we faced in college as international students from home sickness to culture shock to food. We also talked about some of the things we did to help us cope with the challenges of college life and the importance of focusing on our passion and goals to help us succeed.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Apr 29, 202248:54
Episode 14: Dealing with Change
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend Suhair. She is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and studied International Studies with a concentration in International Relations at American University of Sharjah in the UAE. Moreover, she completed an exchange program at George Washington University for a year and did another six months in Washington DC after obtaining an internship. Currently, she is back in Addis working as a Project and Evidence Coordinator at GirlEffect.
In this episode, we talked about change and the delved into the difference between internal and external change. We each reflected back on the experiences that significantly changed us as international students and discussed why people should embrace change more.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we talked about change and the delved into the difference between internal and external change. We each reflected back on the experiences that significantly changed us as international students and discussed why people should embrace change more.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Mar 31, 202258:50
Episode 13: Dealing with Loneliness
This week I was joined by my very dear friend Wasila. Wasila is from Ghana and came to the United States as an international student. She graduated from Smith College with a degree in Engineering and a minor in the Arabic Language. She is currently working as an assistant consultant for the electrical department at kW Mission Critical Engineering.
In this episode, we discussed how we each experienced loneliness both in and outside of college and the coping mechanisms we used to help us deal with it including sports, frequently connecting with loved ones and going outside of our comfort zones to explore new activities to keep ourselves busy.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we discussed how we each experienced loneliness both in and outside of college and the coping mechanisms we used to help us deal with it including sports, frequently connecting with loved ones and going outside of our comfort zones to explore new activities to keep ourselves busy.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Feb 25, 202201:00:59
Episode 12: Dealing with Finances
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend Ahadu. He is originally from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and completed his undergraduate degree at Addis Ababa University majoring in law. Afterwards, he did a post graduate degree on International and Commercial Law at the University of Greenwich in London. He is currently the Commercial Legal Counsel for DIAGEO Ethiopia.
In this episode we discussed how each of us managed our finances as students and how we had to do not-so-pleasant jobs to make money. Furthermore, we discussed the importance of budgeting and keeping track of our expenses as a student while also opening up space for splurging now and then.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode we discussed how each of us managed our finances as students and how we had to do not-so-pleasant jobs to make money. Furthermore, we discussed the importance of budgeting and keeping track of our expenses as a student while also opening up space for splurging now and then.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Dec 12, 202144:01
Episode 11: Dealing with Uncertainty
This week, I am joined by a very special guest, Selam. She is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She studied at Seton Hall University in New Jersey majoring in Physics with a minor in Medical Humanities. She graduated early in December of 2020 and she is currently in the UK studying Global Health Science and Epidemiology at the University of Oxford.
In this episode we discussed our own journeys regarding uncertainty and how not knowing what is going to happen next, might not necessarily be a bad thing. We also shared our own struggles and how we dealt with the feeling of anxiety that comes from uncertainty and the importance of focusing on what we want to do in life and enjoy the process of not knowing what the future holds for us. Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode we discussed our own journeys regarding uncertainty and how not knowing what is going to happen next, might not necessarily be a bad thing. We also shared our own struggles and how we dealt with the feeling of anxiety that comes from uncertainty and the importance of focusing on what we want to do in life and enjoy the process of not knowing what the future holds for us. Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Nov 14, 202146:23
Episode 10: Dealing with Time Management
This week, I am joined by my very dear friend Hilda. She is from Uganda and completed her undergraduate studies at Smith College in 2018 where she double majored in Government and African Studies. Hilda currently works at Africa Careers Network in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In this episode we discussed our journeys of trying to manage our time in college from figuring out what our priorities are to identifying aspects of our college life that we intentionally spend time on including exercising, investing in intentional friendships and trying new things. Furthermore, we discussed the importance of prioritizing our health in college, particularly our mental health and how crucial it is to maintain our well-being which ultimately dictates how we manage our time.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode we discussed our journeys of trying to manage our time in college from figuring out what our priorities are to identifying aspects of our college life that we intentionally spend time on including exercising, investing in intentional friendships and trying new things. Furthermore, we discussed the importance of prioritizing our health in college, particularly our mental health and how crucial it is to maintain our well-being which ultimately dictates how we manage our time.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Aug 22, 202101:08:21
Episode 9: Dealing with Self-Worth
This week I am joined by my very dear friend Haime. Haime was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. After graduating from high school in Ethiopia, she moved to Boston and attended Bunker Hill Community College and then transferred to Wentworth Institute of technology to study Architecture in which she is currently attending her last year.
In this episode, we discussed our journeys navigating self-worth, particularly as an international student in college. From imposter syndrome and the things that made us question our worth, to how we managed to consistently remind ourselves of our worthiness.
Jun 30, 202137:42
Episode 8: Dealing with Coming Back Home
This week I was joined by my very dear friend Asiya. She is from Karachi, Pakistan and was an international student at Mount Holyoke College, where she double majored in International Relations and Psychology. Currently, she is working as a Research Officer at the Collective for Social Science Research and works on multi-disciplinary projects with a focus on development, civic spaces, gender, democracy, mental health, youth well-being and qualitative research.
In this episode, we discussed the reasons behind our decisions to come back home after graduation, the interesting questions we received once we moved back and finding the courage to take risks in the pursuit of our happiness.
In this episode, we discussed the reasons behind our decisions to come back home after graduation, the interesting questions we received once we moved back and finding the courage to take risks in the pursuit of our happiness.
May 31, 202144:34
Episode 7: Dealing with Independence
This week I was joined by my very dear friend Feven. Feven is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She is currently a senior student at Seton Hall University in New Jersey majoring in Nursing.
In this episode, we discussed how we each navigated our own independence while in college. From spiritual to financial independence and what it means to find your voice as an independent international student.
In this episode, we discussed how we each navigated our own independence while in college. From spiritual to financial independence and what it means to find your voice as an independent international student.
Apr 30, 202136:54
Episode 6: Dealing with Career Indecision
This week, I was joined by my very dear friend Anisha. She grew up in both the US and India and went to Smith College and graduated in May 2018. Her major was Chemistry and she is currently working as a research assistant in infectious disease epidemiology.
In this episode, we discussed our journey of career indecision, especially the moments that led us to choose a different path than the one set for us. We explored what it means to achieve success through choosing a career that makes you truly happy and fulfilled.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we discussed our journey of career indecision, especially the moments that led us to choose a different path than the one set for us. We explored what it means to achieve success through choosing a career that makes you truly happy and fulfilled.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Mar 28, 202141:21
Episode 5: Dealing with Self-Growth
This week, I was joined by my very dear friend Nishan S Kassahun. She is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Nishan came to the US in 2016 with a basketball scholarship but took a different route to join North Carolina State University. In 2020, she got her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. Currently she working at Amazon and is also a part-time YouTuber with a Travel and Lifestyle based channel that explores and documents different parts of the world, nature, cultures and peoples way of life with the aim of taking people along on her adventures through vlogs, photography, and drone shots.
In this episode, we explored our journeys dealing with self-growth while in college. We discussed the “moments” that made us realize that we were growing into better versions of ourselves. We also delved deep into how decision-making and failures are critical parts of our self-growth.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Also, please follow Nishan’s incredible journey:
Instagram: @nish_35 and @by_nishan
YouTube: By Nishan
In this episode, we explored our journeys dealing with self-growth while in college. We discussed the “moments” that made us realize that we were growing into better versions of ourselves. We also delved deep into how decision-making and failures are critical parts of our self-growth.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Also, please follow Nishan’s incredible journey:
Instagram: @nish_35 and @by_nishan
YouTube: By Nishan
Feb 28, 202132:23
Episode 4: Dealing with Study Abroad
This week I was joined by my dear friend Patriciah. She is from Nairobi, Kenya and is currently a senior at Smith College. Patriciah is an Economics and Mathematics double major and is also pursuing a concentration in Global Financial Institutions.
In this episode, we explored our journeys dealing with study abroad while in college. We discussed the reasons why some international students decide to stay at their home institution while others decide to gain more study abroad experience. The highlight of this conversation was around the importance of challenging yourself as an individual and growing into a better person.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we explored our journeys dealing with study abroad while in college. We discussed the reasons why some international students decide to stay at their home institution while others decide to gain more study abroad experience. The highlight of this conversation was around the importance of challenging yourself as an individual and growing into a better person.
Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Dec 13, 202043:07
Episode 3: Dealing with Loss and Wellness (Part 2)
This week, I was joined by my very dear friend Beti. She is from Ethiopia and currently she is a senior studying Chemistry at Smith College. She is involved in community health on campus and also in Sierra Leone.
In this episode, we explored our own personal wellness journey. We talked about how the habits we form in college play a significant role in our adult lives. We discussed how stress and wellness are interrelated and shared some tips on how to take better care of ourselves as international students in college.
Don’t forget to follow Beti’s fitness journey @beti.fitness
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we explored our own personal wellness journey. We talked about how the habits we form in college play a significant role in our adult lives. We discussed how stress and wellness are interrelated and shared some tips on how to take better care of ourselves as international students in college.
Don’t forget to follow Beti’s fitness journey @beti.fitness
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Nov 22, 202023:27
Episode 3: Dealing with Loss and Wellness (Part 1)
This week, I was joined by my very dear friend Beti. She is from Ethiopia and currently she is a senior studying Chemistry at Smith College. She is involved in community health on campus and also in Sierra Leone.
This episode was one of the most honest and raw conversations I have ever had. We talked about how we each dealt with loss in our own personal journeys in college. We discussed the stages of grief, how one grows from loss and how we can prepare ourselves.
Thank you Beti for being so open. As you said at the end of our conversation, “Vulnerability is a beautiful thing.”
Don’t forget to follow Beti’s fitness journey @beti.fitness
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
This episode was one of the most honest and raw conversations I have ever had. We talked about how we each dealt with loss in our own personal journeys in college. We discussed the stages of grief, how one grows from loss and how we can prepare ourselves.
Thank you Beti for being so open. As you said at the end of our conversation, “Vulnerability is a beautiful thing.”
Don’t forget to follow Beti’s fitness journey @beti.fitness
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Nov 08, 202025:23
Episode 2: Dealing with Expectations
This week, I was joined by my very dear friend Anuska. Anuska is from Kolkata, India. She went to Smith College and graduated in May 2019. She double majored in Economics and Psychology. After graduation, she worked at a think-tank in Washington DC doing Economics and Policy research. She recently moved back to her home country India.
In this episode we talked about the expectations international students face either from themselves or their family members. We discussed how to best deal with the pressure and learn how to be kinder to ourselves. Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode we talked about the expectations international students face either from themselves or their family members. We discussed how to best deal with the pressure and learn how to be kinder to ourselves. Tune-in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Oct 24, 202033:14
Episode 1: Dealing with Representation
This week, I was joined by my colleague and dear friend Makeda. She is from Addis Ababa and attended Addis Ababa University Law School. She then went to Boston College School of Law where she received her L.L.M in Human Rights and she is currently working within the Ethiopian judiciary.
In this episode, we had a conversation centered around representation and what it means to represent your culture as an international student 👩🏽🎓 🌍 We talked about navigating the space of being Ethiopian but also considered black in the US context and also the politics of hair. Tune in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send any questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
In this episode, we had a conversation centered around representation and what it means to represent your culture as an international student 👩🏽🎓 🌍 We talked about navigating the space of being Ethiopian but also considered black in the US context and also the politics of hair. Tune in to laugh, learn and appreciate the international student experience!
Please send any questions and feedbacks you have to internationaliebyruth@gmail.com or DM on the Instagram page @internationaliebyruth
Sep 26, 202042:33