Explore every episode of the podcast International Student Experience
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从中国到洛杉矶：留学生的爱与身份 | From China to Los Angeles: An International Student’s Love & Identity
A quiet, honest conversation about two international students who find love, identity, and independence while studying film in LA — without trying to label or justify their choices.
时间轴 (Time Axis / Timestamps)
00:00 开场简介 (Intro) 02:10 中国的生活经历 (Life in China) 04:45 为什么中国学生选择留美 (Why Chinese students come to USA) 07:44 两位中国留学生如何在美相遇并结婚 (How two Chinese students met and got married in the USA) 16:33 两位已婚双性恋留学生对国内同性婚姻非法化的看法 (The perspectives of two married bisexual students from China on the illegality of same-sex marriage in their country) 17:14 作为一个双性恋者在中国成长、出柜及家人的反应 (Growing up in China as a bisexual person, coming out and how family reacted) 21:47 LGBTQ+ 社群、文化与身份认同：美国 vs 中国 (LGBTQ+ Community, Culture and Identity: USA vs China) 25:09 如果回国生活，他们将如何面对未来 (How will they live if they move back to China) 26:04 “骄傲运动”在美国与中国的对比 (Pride movement in USA vs China) 30:00 当你想到“家”这个词，你会想到什么？ (What do you see when you think of the word Home?)
Have a story to share? Email us at yourstory.oie@gmail.com
About International Student Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community.
SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ
Apple Podcast Channel - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/international-student-experience/id1848975904
Is it worth moving to Hollywood in 2025? For Italian filmmaker Simone Tringali, the answer is yes—but the path wasn't easy.
In this episode, Simone shares his calm and insightful journey from a small town in Italy to film school in Ireland, and finally to Los Angeles on an O-1B Artist Visa. He breaks down the reality of the O-1B visa process, sharing crucial advice on why you need to start collecting your "paperwork" from day one.
He also discusses the major differences between the film industries in Italy, Ireland, and the US. He explains why he felt the Italian industry was "closed" and why the American "can-do" attitude is so vital for artists.
This is a perfect episode for aspiring filmmakers, actors, and artists who want to understand the business and legal side of chasing a Hollywood dream.
Have a story to share? Email us at yourstory.oie@gmail.com
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro 01:54 Life at Home in Turin, Italy 08:22 Move to Dublin, Ireland 14:49 Advice for people moving to Dublin, Ireland 17:22 US O1B Visa process and challenges 21:49 Life in LA as European 31:16 Advice for people applying for O1B Visa 41:17 Lessons learned after moving from Italy
About International Student Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community.
SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ
"I was waiting 5 months... then suddenly they denied my OPT."
This is just one part of Yu's incredible journey from Tokyo to Los Angeles. He had to leave the US twice due to immigration errors, all while chasing his dream of becoming an actor. His story is one of amazing positivity, even in the face of unbelievable challenges.
In this episode, Yu gets real about growing up in Fuchu, Tokyo—a "local place" you won't see in the movies. He shares what it was like feeling like an "outsider", being the only one who looked different, and how teachers would blame him for any problem in school.
He also tells the amazing story of his family: he grew up as the personal translator for his Japanese father and Brazilian mother, who were together for 7 years without speaking the same language!
This is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or faced a major obstacle in pursuit of their dream.
Have a story to share? Email us at yourstory.oie@gmail.com
About International Student Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community.
SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ
00:00 Intro 02:26 Life at Home in Fuchu with Brazilian mother and Japanese father - Tokyo, Japan 10:31 School life and challenges 19:27 USA Dream, preparation and first visit in San Diego 26:09 Student Visa Experience and name Mix up 30:23 Japanese Film Industry and Challenges for new actors 40:18 OPT Denial, Artist Visa Plans and Hopes 52:45 What if he doesn't get work visa?
ยินดีต้อนรับสู่ International Student Experience พอดแคสต์ที่นักเรียนต่างชาติทุกคนต้องฟัง สำหรับการใช้ชีวิต การเรียน และการทำงานในสหรัฐอเมริกา เราแบ่งปันเรื่องราวจริงและคำแนะนำที่ใช้ได้จริงเพื่อช่วยให้คุณเติบโตและประสบความสำเร็จ แต่ละตอนจะเจาะลึกความท้าทายที่ใหญ่ที่สุดของการเรียนในอเมริกา พร้อมคำแนะนำจากผู้เชี่ยวชาญในทุกเรื่อง ตั้งแต่วีซ่า F-1, OPT, และ H-1B ไปจนถึงการเอาชนะ Culture Shock และการสร้างสังคมของคุณเอง
Thai audio translation for this episode was made possible using VMEG AI technology.
เวลา (Timestamp): 00:00 บทนำ (Intro) 01:56 ชีวิตก่อนย้ายมาอเมริกา (Life Before moving to the USA) 04:51 การมาถึงอเมริกาคนเดียว (Arriving Alone in America) 07:30 สัปดาห์แรกในอเมริกา (First week in America) 13:05 Culture Shock ในอเมริกา (Cultural Shocks in the US) 20:50 คำแนะนำสำหรับนักเรียนต่างชาติ (Advice for International students)
SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ
What is the true cost of pursuing a dream? For Zahra M. Aghajan, moving from Iran to the US for her love of science meant navigating a path of profound challenges, heart-breaking choices, and deep self-discovery.
In this deeply moving and powerful conversation, Zahra shares her story with incredible courage and honesty. She details the complex motivations for leaving her home, including the specific hurdles for women in her field and the "unbelievably hard" F1-visa process that is a unique challenge for Iranian students.
Her journey is one of inspiring resilience. She gets candid about the waves of loneliness, the cultural shocks of arriving at UCLA (plus some hilarious misunderstandings), and the devastating, personal impact the Muslim ban had on her and her family.
Zahra also speaks openly about:
How grad school "breaks you down emotionally" and how therapy became an essential tool for her to heal and grow. How she built a new "family" in LA through friends who made her feel at home. The joys and beautiful similarities of marrying into a different culture. Her hopes and dreams for raising a bicultural daughter in America.
Throughout the episode, she and host Harshrajsinh Gohil have a compassionate and insightful discussion comparing the cultures of Iran, India, and the USA. This is a story you won't want to miss.
Have a story to share? Email us at yourstory.oie@gmail.com
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro 04:59 Life at Home in Tehran 20:21 Choosing UCLA 22:54 Experiencing cultural shock when returning home, Iran and India 25:40 Cultural shocks in Los Angeles 28:46 US Student Visa challenges 34:54 Muslim Ban and it's Impact 44:50 Life at UCLA 01:03:44 Marrying in a different culture and raising children in the US 01:11:32 What would you borrow from American culture and Iranian culture
About Outsiders Insiders Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community.
SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ
Have you ever felt invisible or been taken for granted in a new place? In this powerful episode of Outsiders Insiders Experience, we hear the incredible story of Sakunit Srilom who moved from Thailand to an American high school and completely transformed her life.
She shares her raw, honest journey of dealing with a difficult language barrier and navigating friendships. She reveals the exact moment she realized what was happening, got angry, and decided to take her power back—a path that led her from being a quiet newcomer to a confident club leader. If you're struggling to find your voice, this story is for you.
Have questions about starting high school in the USA? Our guest, Sakunit, is here to help. Leave your questions for her in the comments section!
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro 01:39 Life at Home in Udon Thani 06:59 Preparing to go to the US 10:26 High School Life in America & challenges 12:40 Overcoming challenges 24:28 Advice of upcoming international students
About Outsiders Insiders Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community. SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ
His American dream was born in a cinematic moment: a 14-year-old on the Golden Gate Bridge, listening to Maroon 5, deciding "I'm gonna live here". But what happens when the dream meets the unfiltered reality of Los Angeles?
In this deeply honest conversation, our guest from Japan shares the real story of his international student journey. He expected total English immersion, only to walk into his first day of language school and find it filled with 15 other Japanese students.
He gets real about the "scary" side of US news and the shocking, "crazy" cost of everything in LA—from gas and rent to health insurance. We also go deeper into the cultural divides, like:
His hilarious first day at a US language school, only to find it full of other Japanese students. Why US dating culture is so "confusing" and "scary" compared to the Japanese "confession" culture. Why his dad was "pissed" about his decision to quit college in Japan and leave a "secure job" path for the US.
Have a story to share? Email us at yourstory.oie@gmail.com
TIMESTAMP:
00:00 Intro
01:38 First Visit to USA & reasons to come to USA 03:01 Life at Home in Nagoya 07:49 School Life in America & challenges 13:26 Overcoming challenges 16:14 Gun Violence, Homelessness in USA vs Japan vs India 24:19 Dating in America as an International Students 30:55 Advice of upcoming international students from Japan
About International Student Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community.
SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ
Ever feel caught between cultures while trying to find your place? In this powerful episode, Carel Tan shares her unique journey as an international student from Taiwan, navigating life in Los Angeles while embracing her Taiwanese, Filipino, and Korean heritage.
Carel gets real about the initial nervousness, language worries, and the specific culture shocks she faced – from LA's car dependency to surprising differences in dating culture and even tipping mishaps. She offers honest advice on preparing financially, the importance of family connection, and why keeping an open, curious mind is key to thriving. This episode is a must-watch for any student adjusting to a new world.
Got a question for Carel about her experience or advice? Drop it in the comments below!
About International Student Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community.
SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ
Is an expensive LA film degree worth it when the jobs are leaving? We investigate the Hollywood Lie in this special episode, exploring the gap between film school and the real-world industry.
We get two unique perspectives: Kanishka Aggarwal, a filmmaker from India navigating the O-1B artist visa, and Savvas Yiannoulou, a US Film Production Manager who chose not to study in LA to avoid debt. They compare their unique cultural and childhood experiences, offering a fascinating look at the different challenges they faced while building their careers.
Have a story to share? Email us at yourstory.oie@gmail.com
This episode is packed with essential advice on:
The truth about LA's expensive film schools vs. the job market. Kanishka's incredible journey from an F-1 student visa to the coveted O-1B artist visa. Insider tips from both on how to actually survive and build a career in film today.
Have a question for Kanishka or Savvas about film school or the industry? Share it in the comments, and we will try and have them answer it for you!
About International Student Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community.
SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ
Discovering your true self in a new country? In this insightful episode of Outsiders Insiders Experience, we hear from Nithi Sangkaew, an international student from Thailand who believes his life truly began when he arrived in the USA. Now community college student wants pursue Master's and aiming for a PhD in Los Angeles, Nithi shares his remarkable journey of transformation and growth.
Have a story to share? Email us at yourstory.oie@gmail.com
Join us as Nithi opens up about how to deal with loneliness, the common mistakes international students should avoid, and the profound experience of making a new home in America. His story is a powerful reminder that studying abroad isn't just about academics—it's about personal reinvention.
What's one big mistake you wish you'd avoided as an international student? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
About International Student Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community.
SUBSCRIBE to International Student Experience for more stories and guides! https://www.youtube.com/@UCixFl0MqYWyoAjtF4QPx-pQ