International Student Podcast

Welcome back to the International Student Podcast! Attention all PSU students, did you know you are eligible to receive FREE food? Yes you heard that correctly, FREE food! Located in the Basement of Smith Memorial Student Union, the PSU Food Pantry offers both appointments and walk-ins to shop around for groceries! Curious about what they have to offer? Follow the PSU Food Pantry on Instagram @psu_foodpantry and listen to our interview with PSU Food Pantry’s General Manager, Trenna Wilson.

Welcome back to the International Student Podcast! Graduation season has finally arrived, have you thought about what your next steps are? Like many graduating international students, you may have already applied for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Or maybe you're a sophomore or junior looking for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) opportunities or an on-campus job. Regardless, applying for any job can feel intimidating, but don’t worry! Caitlin Sweeney, a Career Counselor from PSU’s University Career Center, is here to talk about preparing your application materials, answering common interview questions, and navigating the American workplace.

Welcome back to the International Student Podcast! Did you know there are many kinds of Malaysian food? In this episode, Emily Tan, an international student from Kuala Lumpur and member of the International Cultural Service Program, talks abut dining etiquette and the diverse cuisine in Malaysia (and shares some of her favorite dishes too!)

Welcome back to the International Student Podcast! In this episode, we're joined by Kaushambi Gujral, member of the International Cultural Service Program and International Student Mentor, to tackle the stereotypes about Indians and international students. 

Welcome back to the International Student Podcast! Did you know Portland State University offers FREE legal help to students? Learn more about their services from David Sorek, a staff attorney with Student Legal Services!

Welcome back the International Student Podcast! Do you celebrate Lunar New Year? Listen to our interview with Yifan Zhao, an international student from Shanghai, China!

Welcome to our fifth episode! Today's guest is Ayume Kitamura, an international student from Japan. Ayume came to the U.S. in March 2022 and was a student in the Intensive English Language Program (IELP). In this episode, she talks about the new experiences she had in Portland and how student life differs between Japan and the U.S. 

Welcome to our fourth episode! Today's guest is Tucker Kraght. He is an anti-money laundering analyst with Umpqua Bank. Prior to working in financial investigations, Tucker worked as a relationship banker at the South Lake Union branch in Washington state. In this episode, Tucker talks about international student banking including how to open a bank account, manage personal finances, and protect yourself from getting scammed.

Welcome to our third episode! Today's guest is Siping Du. She is an international student from Meizhou, China studying Marketing. She came to the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic and is involved with the international student community as a Coordinator for the Organization of International Students (OIS) and Mentor for the International Student Mentor Program (ISMP). In this episode, Siping reflects on her own experience facing homesickness and culture shock and gives advice to new students who may be navigating these too.

Welcome to our second episode! Today’s guest is Otto Holtari. He is an international student from Espoo, Finland and recently graduated with a Masters of Science in Finance. While he was at Portland State University, he played NCAA Division I tennis and was a member of the International Cultural Service Program (ICSP). In this episode, Otto reflects on his time at Portland State University and his experience applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Welcome to our first episode! Today’s guest is Trang Tran. She is an international student from Danang, Vietnam studying Supply and Logistics Management. In this episode, she talks about her involvement with the international student community as an International Student Mentor, member of the International Cultural Service Program (ICSP), and Coordinator for the Organization of International Students (OIS).

(Thank you for your patience and understanding during these first few episodes as we learn how to record and edit the podcast!)