In episode 9, International Student Advisor, Heather Reed, chats with freshman Benita Manzengo. Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Benita is majoring in government and art and minoring in psychology.

In this conversation, Benita talks about how spending time learning about African history, the history of her people, has empowered her to dream big. She wants to "take revenge on history" and make her home country a better place. In addition to her dreams for back home, Benita is a strong and generous voice in the Augustana community.

In Episode 8, Study Abroad Advisor, Erin Kane, chats with Elizabeth Lee. Liz is a junior from the Twin Cities, majoring in Spanish and modern foreign languages, minoring in teaching English as a second language and biology. What an interesting array of things to explore and - study abroad contributed to her selections of majors and minors. Liz studied abroad in India during her freshman year J-term and Costa Rica her sophomore year for fall semester.

In this conversation, Liz describes how studying and serving abroad allowed her to build her language skills while learning to slow down and make time for people.

In Episode 7, Study Abroad Advisor, Erin Kane, chats with Dr. Patrick Hick. Originally from Stillwater, Minnesota, Dr. Hicks is a dual-citizen of Ireland and America and is the Writer-in-Residence at Augustana University and a professor of English. He has also led many study abroad courses and plans to do so again soon.

In this conversation, Dr. Hicks describes his own growth through international experiences and studying abroad and how he enjoys creating growth experiences through travel to his students.

In episode 6, International Student Advisor, Heather Reed, chats with junior Marcus Naess. Originally from Bergen Norway, Marcus is majoring in computer science and art.

In this conversation, Marcus describes how travel can create opportunities for people to connect, explains what to do when you see another person on a Norwegian trail, and shares his experience with loneliness as a new international student, and how he got through it.

In Episode 5, International Student Advisor, Heather Reed, chats with senior Gideon Kassa. Gideon is originally from Ethiopia and is majoring in biochemistry. Gideon is a funny, smart, and thoughtful individual. He is passionate about his area of study as well as the work that students on campus are doing to raise awareness about the issues facing students of color at Augustana.

In Episode 4, International Student Advisor, Heather Reed, chats with senior Luis Cruz. Luis is originally from Honduras and is majoring in mathematics and computer science, minoring in data science, economics, and physics. Take time to listen to Luis talk about important principles that guide him to a huge life goal: loyalty, trust, sacrifice, and determination.

In episode three, international student advisor, Heather Reed, chats with Giselle Mawadri, a junior accounting major, originally from Uganda, though her childhood was spent in various countries.

Giselle explores a number of important issues such as being a young black woman in the US and her experience as an international student during a global pandemic. She also tells her story beautifully - describing some childhood memories and her home in a way that really takes you there. Additionally, Giselle describes how her goals shift and grow through her college years.

In our second episode of the Window Seat, Heather Reed interviews junior tennis player from Mexico City, Laura Arce Vieyra.

Laura recounts multiple parts of her journey, talking about the training it took to be a collegiate student athlete, the difficulty of being an immigrant in the US - particularly at the US border, balancing the guidance from parents with her own ideas of her future, and the difference a liberal arts education has made in her career path.

In our first interview episode of The Window Seat, International Programs Office Student Advisor, Heather Reed, sits down with Daniel Leite to learn about his native Brazil, his dreams of coming to study in the US, and what he likes about studying at Augustana University. Be sure to listen to the end to hear Danny perform a well-known Brazilian song.

Be sure to check out Danny's music on:

https://soundcloud.com/dani_rio

and his friend, fellow Augie international student, and music collaborator, Jowi Amayo at:

https://soundcloud.com/jowdowns

This episode of The Window Seat is to explain to listeners what they can expect from the podcast - an opportunity to learn about the diverse cultural experiences that Augustana’s community has to offer. If you’re curious about the world around you, subscribe to The Window Seat.