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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

Spotify Channel - https://open.spotify.com/show/5yV9JNNRRF4fBvKw5QETNC?si=e6aec8e007664df8

iHeartRadio Channel -
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-international-student-exp-302843551/

#留学生 #中国留学生 #海外生活 #洛杉矶 #爱与身份 #中文播客 #留学美国

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Join us every Sunday for new episodes at 8 AM (PST).

Send us a text

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

Apple Podcast Channel - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/international-student-experience/id1848975904
Spotify Channel - https://open.spotify.com/show/5yV9JNNRRF4fBvKw5QETNC?si=e6aec8e007664df8
iHeartRadio Channel -
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-international-student-exp-302843551/

Support the show

Join us every Sunday for new episodes at 8 AM (PST).

Send us a text

"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

Apple Podcast Channel - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/international-student-experience/id1848975904
Spotify Channel - https://open.spotify.com/show/5yV9JNNRRF4fBvKw5QETNC?si=e6aec8e007664df8
iHeartRadio Channel -
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-international-student-exp-302843551/

TIMESTAMPS:

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?

Support the show

Join us every Sunday for new episodes at 8 AM (PST).

การค้นพบตัวตนที่แท้จริงของคุณในต่างแดน? ใน EP นี้ของ Outsiders Insiders Experience เราจะมาฟังเรื่องราวจาก นิธิ แสงแก้ว (Nithi Sangkaew) นักเรียนไทยที่เชื่อว่าชีวิตของเขาได้เริ่มต้นอย่างแท้จริงเมื่อมาถึงอเมริกา ปัจจุบันนิธิเป็นนักเรียน Community College ที่ต้องการเรียนต่อปริญญาโท (Master's) และตั้งเป้าถึงปริญญาเอก (PhD) ในลอสแอนเจลิส เขาจะมาแบ่งปันเส้นทางการเปลี่ยนแปลงและเติบโตที่น่าทึ่งนี้

มีเรื่องราวอยากแบ่งปัน? ส่งอีเมลมาหาเราที่ yourstory.oie@gmail.com

มาร่วมฟังนิธิเปิดใจแชร์วิธีรับมือกับความเหงา ข้อผิดพลาดทั่วไปที่นักเรียนต่างชาติควรหลีกเลี่ยง และประสบการณ์อันลึกซึ้งในการสร้างบ้านหลังใหม่ในอเมริกา เรื่องราวของเขาเป็นเครื่องเตือนใจที่ทรงพลังว่า การไปเรียนต่อต่างประเทศไม่ใช่แค่เรื่องเรียนเท่านั้น แต่มันคือการเปลี่ยนแปลงตัวเองเป็นคนใหม่

มีข้อผิดพลาดอะไรที่คุณอยากย้อนกลับไปแก้ไขในตอนที่เป็นนักเรียนต่างชาติ? แชร์ความคิดเห็นของคุณในคอมเมนต์ข้างล่างนี้เลย!

เกี่ยวกับ International Student Experience:

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

Apple Podcast Channel - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/international-student-experience/id1848975904
Spotify Channel - https://open.spotify.com/show/5yV9JNNRRF4fBvKw5QETNC?si=e6aec8e007664df8
iHeartRadio Channel -
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-international-student-exp-302843551/

Join us every Sunday for new episodes at 8 AM (PST).

Send us a text

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

Apple Podcast Channel - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/international-student-experience/id1848975904
Spotify Channel - https://open.spotify.com/show/5yV9JNNRRF4fBvKw5QETNC?si=e6aec8e007664df8
iHeartRadio Channel -
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1333-international-student-exp-302843551/

Support the show

Join us every Sunday for new episodes at 8 AM (PST).

Send us a text

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

Support the show

Join us every Sunday for new episodes at 8 AM (PST).

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

Join us every Sunday for new episodes at 8 AM (PST).

Send us a text

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

Support the show

Join us every Sunday for new episodes at 8 AM (PST).