Borderless Minds Podcast

In the final part of this sit-down, Serge shares his journey from navigating college, overcoming personal struggles, and learning independence to discovering financial literacy and developing a passion for real estate.

He goes in depth on his introduction to credit, how credit scores work, ways to build and improve credit, and his personal experience getting his first credit card.

Serge also discusses helping his parents purchase their first home, the lessons he learned throughout the process, and how that experience eventually led him to become a mortgage broker and help others achieve homeownership.

He breaks down the different metrics and qualifications lenders look at when evaluating potential homebuyers, as well as creative financing options and alternative paths to purchasing a home.

Beyond real estate, Serge shares valuable homeownership tips, entrepreneurial lessons, and his long-term vision for the future, including how Rwanda fits into his plans.

In this sit-down, Serge shares his journey of coming to the US, adjusting to life at a boarding high school in Oregon, and navigating the challenges of fitting in, bullying, and the pressure to succeed.

He reflects on how basketball and track helped him develop discipline, focus, and commitment, while also opening doors to scholarships and college opportunities. The conversation explores money management and academic expectations.

Serge also discusses his relationship with his dad, highlighting how honest, adult conversations helped them grow closer and navigate his journey toward independence.

In the final part, Munyaneza talks about his life after completing his master’s degree and the jobs he took while trying to establish his career in railroad engineering, including working for Uber and in security in Chicago and Los Angeles.

He also opens up about getting into trouble with the law and spending time in jail. One of those experiences became a pivotal moment in his life and motivated him to make a change. He eventually moved to Wyoming to distance himself from the temptations. This marked the beginning of his journey back to his Christian faith and a renewed sense of direction.

The episode concludes with Munyaneza sharing how he met his wife after moving back to Los Angeles. They were introduced through a friend while he was still working to get his life back on the right path. What began as a friendship eventually grew into a lifelong partnership.

In this episode, Munyaneza continues sharing his journey through the mixed emotions he experienced after arriving in the United States—the excitement of being in a new country, coupled with the anxiety of figuring out how he would afford to stay.

He found a welcoming community in the small town of Poteau, Oklahoma. He goes on to share stories from his first summer, including the jobs he worked to pay for school and living expenses. By his second semester, he had become more comfortable with college life. He moved out of the dorms, and as more Rwandan students began attending the school, he found himself living with roommates from home. He later joined the choir, which came with a scholarship that helped cover the cost of his classes and books.

He also shares a fascinating story about how he obtained a work permit that allowed him to work off campus. That opportunity marked an important turning point as he worked toward overcoming financial stress he was under in the first year. He talks about the job he took before eventually transferring to Jackson State University, where he received a full scholarship and obtained his bachelor's degree from. At the university, however, his life took a different turn. He began drifting away from his Christian upbringing, spending more time going out, drinking, and smoking.

And just when you think you know where his story is headed, he gives us a glimpse of what comes next—his journey toward earning a master’s degree and the experiences that ultimately led him to pursue railroad engineering.

In this episode, Munyaneza shares the story of his upbringing and his determination helped him make it to the United States. He opens up about the challenges he faced along the way; from raising money for a plane ticket to navigating application fees and other expenses. His friendliness and ability to connect with people helped him find support from individuals he had never even met. The episode concludes with his first few days in America, where he found himself at a small community college in Oklahoma. And that’s only the beginning; the episode leaves us with a glimpse of what came next in Munyaneza’s remarkable journey.

In the final part of this series, Cerise reflects on the perseverance it takes to be an immigrant and the importance of reminding yourself how far you’ve already come. She shares how gathering old documents while preparing to file for her green card, became a powerful reminder of everything she endured along the way.

Cerise, Christian and Jado talk about the sacrifices that come with the pursuit of a better future, including long stretches of not seeing family.

The episode closes on a lighter, more personal note as Cerise talks about her love for travel and birthdays and what kept her going through it all: God and her faith.

In this episode, Cerise continues her journey, sharing how she moved from Little Rock, Arkansas to Nashville, Tennessee to work for a major company, all while navigating life on OPT, knowing the clock was already ticking.

She reflects on the importance of maintaining strong relationships and the emotional toll of living on a visa.

Cerise opens up about the highs and lows of balancing school, part-time work, and paying bills, all while navigating the uncertain path from an F-1 visa to a green card.

The episode closes with an honest reflection on sacrifice: Is it all worth it?

In this episode, Cerise shares her journey from growing up in Rwanda to studying in the U.S. on a prestigious presidential scholarship. She talks about how her childhood dream of becoming a pharmacist shifted once she got to college and discovered engineering.

Cerise walks us through the culture shocks of moving to America, the transition into college life, and how a career fair led to the internship that eventually became her full-time role in Arkansas.

She also opens up about the realities of working as a young Black woman in a male-dominated field—imposter syndrome, discrimination, and what it takes to stand your ground. A story of grit, reinvention, and finding your lane in a new world.

Tune in!

In this introductory episode of Season 2, Christian and Jado look back on their most memorable moments from Borderless Minds Season 1. They share what stood out from each guest — the lessons, laughter, and stories that defined our first season.

As they look ahead, Christian & Jado tease exciting new additions for Season 2, including the Career Editions — a deeper dive into real career journeys, purpose, and growth.

They wrap up the episode with a timely discussion on recent policy changes and how these shifts could affect people and communities in the future. Tune in for reflections, insights, and what’s next for Borderless Minds! 🌍 #BorderlessMinds #Podcast #CareerEditions #Season2 #PolicyTalk #Inspiration #internationstudents #immigrantstories

In this episode, Nancy shares how a friend looked out for her and helped her craft a strong resume and how networking opened the door to a paid summer internship in Arizona - An internship that resulted into a job offer before graduation. Nancy talks about the challenges of securing work permits and getting experience/internships while still in school

Nancy reflects on how the internship changed the way her school department viewed her, leading to more recognition which made her feel a certain type of way. She also opens up about graduation, the role of community, embracing change, and her plans for the future. The episode closes with an honest conversation about navigating the H1B visa process and green card applications.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more stories from international students.

#NancyUmutoniwase #InternationalStudentLife #InternshipSuccess #H1BVisa #GreenCardJourney #NetworkingTips #CareerDevelopment #DiversityInSTEM #StudentStories