In Episode 4 of Between Worlds, Ronnie, Esther, and our first guest Michelle talk about how different environments shape our friendships. From high school where social circle is small, to big university campuses, to the graduate school at USC, we explore how different social circles affect the way we meet people and build connections.

We also discuss the loneliness of starting over, the fear of losing friendship, and the pressure to perform socially. In the end, we share a survival kit: protect your real self, find your own way into friendship, communicate before silence grows, and remember that being alone does not mean you have failed.

Keywords: international students, friendship, loneliness, belonging

In this episode of Between Worlds, we talk about the “digital mask” many international students wear while living in the U.S. From switching between Mandarin and English to managing different identities across WeChat, Instagram, and other platforms, we explore how social media can make us feel both visible and hidden at the same time.

We share personal stories about context collapse, family misunderstandings, online self-curation, and the emotional exhaustion of always adjusting who we are depending on who is watching. More than just a conversation about social media, this episode is about identity, loneliness, and the pressure to stay “fine” online.

We also end with a small survival kit: how we can be a little more honest, protect our boundaries, and feel less divided between our online selves and our real selves.

Keywords: international students, digital mask, social media, context collapse, bilingual identity, loneliness

In Episode 2 of Between Worlds, Ronnie and Esther unpack The Success Trap—the pressure many international students feel to prove that studying abroad is worth it. From guilt while resting to the constant need to be productive, this episode explores the emotional cost of tying value to achievement.

We talk about the pressure to be the “perfect international student,” the shift from school pressure to career pressure, and the things we often hide from our parents to avoid making them worry. We also share our Survival Kit: honest reminders about rest, support systems, small emotional honesty, and redefining success beyond grades, internships, and job titles.

At the end of the day, the things you don’t tell home, we tell here.

Keywords: International Students, Study Abroad, Success Trap, Burnout, Mental Health, Family Pressure, Productivity Guilt

Welcome to the very first episode of Between Worlds, a podcast created by two USC international students, Ronnie and Esther, who are navigating the "permanent in-between" state of living in the U.S.. In this debut session, we dive deep into "The System Shock"—that jarring environmental reset the moment you step off the plane and realize your daily life has reverted to zero.

We candidly share our "unedited" stories from our first nights in America, ranging from the lonely silence of a high school dorm to the adrenaline-fueled survival mode of arriving at a university campus. We explore the Freedom Paradox: the realization that the personal freedom you've always dreamed of comes with the heavy price of systemic isolation and the sudden responsibility of managing your own life.

From the "roommate lottery" and cultural boundary-setting to the steep learning curve of moving into your first unfurnished apartment and failing at sweet and sour ribs, we cover the messy reality of international student life. Finally, we wrap up with our Survival Kit, offering practical advice on over-communicating and finding your "recharge corner."

At the end of the day, the things you don't tell home, we tell here.

Keywords: International Students, System Shock, Study Abroad, Self-care, Mental Health