Srushti Mande from Mumbai, India, is pursuing an MSc in Virtual Reality at Swansea University. She shares her journey from studying computer science in India, working at a multinational company, to exploring VR and eventually moving to the UK. She highlights the pivotal role of the Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship, which enabled her studies. Srushti discusses the challenges and excitement of her first international flight, the importance of community among international students, and balancing academic, work, and social life in Swansea.

Joshua Benn, a Guyanese attorney, is studying at Swansea University on a prestigious Chevening scholarship, pursuing an LLM in Oil, Gas, and Renewable Energy Law. Inspired by Guyana's 2015 oil discovery, he aims to fill the legal expertise gap in his country. Joshua credits his success to his uncle and the supportive Chevening network, which helped him through the application process. Now, he's paying it forward, guiding future scholars and giving back.

In this episode, Therese, who moved from the Philippines to the UK to study, shares her journey with autism, diagnosed in 2022. She contrasts the stigma and lack of support she experienced in the Philippines with the more inclusive environment at Swansea University. Despite ongoing challenges with social interactions and mental health, she talks about the extensive support and reflects on the value of the ongoing assistance in managing her autism and adjusting to university life, while acknowledging the continued struggle with loneliness and adapting to her new surroundings.

In the first episode of series 2, we welcome campaigner and activist Oluwaseun Ayodeji Osowobi. A Swansea University alumna with an MA in International Relations, Oluwaseun is an Obama Foundation Leader in Africa and British Council’s Study UK Global Winner for Social Action 2023. She passionately advocates for women's rights and safety, working to reduce gender-based violence through her Stand to End Rape initiative. Tune in to hear how she overcomes challenges and achieves her goals, supporting women and girls on their recovery journey and creating lasting change.

Embark on an inspiring journey with Lexie Stewart from Canada, where she shares her experience as a Law undergraduate at Swansea University. Lexie's academic pursuit, facilitated through a partnership with Trent University in Canada, led her thousands of miles away from home. Despite the distance, Lexie discovered a profound sense of belonging and community in Swansea. Lexie discovered early on she was the child of donor insemination and investigated this extended family of half-siblings. This helped instill in her the invaluable skill of creating community wherever she goes—a skill her Mother fondly refers to as finding her "little village". Lexie's journey continues as she actively participates in diverse university societies like the Choral Society, Tea Society, and Canadian Society. Through these engagements, she has not only built connections but has firmly planted her roots in the UK. Lexie is not just a planner; she's a visionary with a 25-year plan that guides her steps. Yet, she has mastered the art of openness and adaptability, understanding the importance of evolving plans based on life's unexpected turns. Join us as we explore Lexie's journey—a captivating story of family, community, self-discovery, and the resilience to adapt to life's twists and turns. Lexie Stewart's tale is a testament to the power of forging connections, building communities, and embracing the ever-changing nature of our paths.

This episode features Madhav Pandya from India, who turned the problems facing his education during the Covid pandemic into an opportunity to study abroad in the UK. Studying BSc Computer Science Madhav has been able to seize every opportunity presented to him, during his time at Swansea becoming a Student Ambassador, a teaching assistant, a Digital Content Creator, President of the Indian Society, Creative Director of the Hindu Society, taking a year to study in industry all while running an incredibly successful YouTube channel on the side! Join us as we unravel Madhav's story, a testament to unwavering determination, unyielding commitment, and the art of seizing every opportunity that comes his way. This episode is a celebration of a student who not only navigates the challenges but also carves a path marked by triumphs, making the most of every moment.

In this episode we follow Christian's adventures, from studying civil engineering to exploring the world, and discovering the beauty of saying "yes" to life's opportunities. Hailing from Spain, Christian's path to Higher Education was far from conventional, navigating the limitations of the Spanish education system that left him with little choice during his Further Education. But that didn't deter him from pursuing his dreams. Join us as we explore his incredible journey from sunny Spain to the vibrant landscapes of the UK, where he embarked on his university adventure at the young age of 17, all while adjusting to a new culture and making lifelong friends during a global pandemic.

In this episode we meet Rewa Gupta, who moved from India to Dubai and then to the UK where she completed her BSc in Psychology at Swansea University. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Rewa's commitment to volunteer work propelled her from volunteer to Trustee of a volunteering organisation, fostering specialised initiatives and fundraising. Her experience underlines the transformative power of part-time work and volunteering.Rewa's path reflects her evolution from being home-sick to self-assuredness. Her journey highlights the significance of venturing beyond comfort zones, acquiring skills, the rewards of part-time work and embracing new experiences.

In our latest episode, we're delving into the inspiring journey of Lan Wei from China, a graduate in Translation and interpreting. Lan's story takes us from the bustling streets of Beijing to the city of Swansea in the UK. Lan's story is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities, breaking cultural barriers, and pursuing your passions. She started her educational journey in Beijing, where efficiency and conformity were the norms. However, her life took a twist when she came to Swansea, discovering a world beyond textbooks and exams. From collaborating with local musicians to performing live at the Swansea Fringe music festival, Lan has fearlessly explored her interests.

Listen to an inspiring journey of resilience, knowing yourself, and the importance of having support. Meet Kuuku Anim, a student from Ghana, who has overcome adversity to pursue his passion for legal technology. This episode delves into Kuuku's unwavering determination in overcoming adversity, drawing strength from family and mastering accessibility hurdles. Join us to explore a range of interests spanning from cooking, swimming and playing baseball and football, all while being blind. Become inspired by Joseph's unyielding resolve, which continues to shape the vibrant international student experience at Swansea University.

Driven by the pursuit of breaking tech barriers in healthcare, Bethel Ohanugo from Nigeria was a recipient of the Eira Francis Davies Scholarship. Bethel embarked on Swansea University's MSc Health Informatics program, driven by her mission to empower women in tech. Her journey unfolds against challenges of homesickness and isolation, which she conquered by embracing Swansea's vibrant culture and university events. Bethel's transformative path led her from clinical practice to the world of informatics, fuelled by her ambition to create change. Listen in to gain insight into Bethel's journey and her commitment to empowering women, making waves in the tech industry and beyond. https://swansea.ac.uk/international

In this episode we delve into the extraordinary journey of Safia Shirzad, a woman who has not only defied the odds but has also managed to find her unique voice in two entirely distinct areas, the world of medicine and the vibrant online gaming community.Motivated by a personal family tragedy and inspired to make a difference to help people, you'll discover how Safia discovered the "Pathway to Medicine" course at Swansea University, explored interesting course modules, volunteered at a hospital and ultimately graduated with a first class degree.But Safia's journey doesn't involve her academic pursuits. She is also a passionate advocate for making a difference in the world. She discusses her volunteering experience, highlighting her desire to provide assistance to disadvantaged communities and commitment to humanitarian causes.Safia has built a vibrant and supportive online gaming community around her, demonstrating her remarkable ability to create connections and friendships across the digital landscape, and provides a platform for Safia to inspire others to pursue their passions.Join us as we unravel Safia's incredible journey, a shining example of how one person's dedication, resilience, and empathy can touch the lives of many and make the world a better place. https://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/