This is our first episode featuring a fellow podcaster. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Silvia Vicenzi, who is now working in the business sector in industry. Silvia completed her bachelor’s degree in Italy, moved to the UK for an internship, pursued her master’s degree in Sweden, and then completed her PhD in Australia. After a postdoctoral position, she is now living and working in the United States. Beyond her scientific career, Silvia is also a podcaster, where she shares stories aimed at diversifying academia through Diversity and Science Lecture series. As a first-generation scholar, she not only broke new ground as the first in her family to pursue higher education, but also had to start from scratch multiple times while moving across countries for different roles. Let’s listen to her story.

This is our first episode featuring a guest based outside of the United States. In this episode, we sit down with Sophie Strich, a PhD student in the Molecular and Cellular Biology of Diseases program at the Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria. Sophie completed her bachelor’s degree in Germany and moved to Austria for both her master’s and PhD training. She has also worked in a U.S. laboratory as a visiting scholar. Sophie shares her academic journey across Germany, Austria, and the United States, as well as her outreach work as a member of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, where she helps amplify scientific stories across borders.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lucia Cancelada, a chemist who has worked across government, industry, and academia in both Argentina and the United States. She shares her journey, experiences, and the lessons she has learned along the way.

In this episode, we sit down with Karla Rojas Garcia, a first-generation PhD student who shares the challenges, and defining moments that shaped her journey into higher education. From navigating middle school, high school, and college with no roadmap to balancing cultural expectations and personal dreams, her story reminds us of the resilience and determination behind every first-gen success.

In this episode of iScholar Dive with Hoang and Eshani, we welcome Pratyusha from Singapore, a country known for its dynamic blend of cultures, cutting-edge education, and global outlook. Our guest shares their academic journey from the Lion City to the United States, offering insights into how their Singaporean upbringing shaped their values, goals, and perspectives on life and learning.

In this episode, we sit down with Juan David, a PhD student in economics, originally from Colombia. We will talk about his path into the economic discipline, how growing up in Colombia shaped his academic interests, and what it is like to navigate graduate school as an international student.

In this episode, we sit down with our guest, Maia Livneh from Costa Rica to explore her personal and academic journey from Central America to the United States. We talk about the cultural values that shaped her upbringing, the challenges of adjusting to a new academic system, and how her identity as a Costa Rican continues to influence her perspective in research and life.

In this episode, we sit down with Rustam, a scientist at Scripps Research Institute, to explore his journey from Azerbaijan to the United States - and how his cultural roots continue to shape his perspective on both life and science

New to the U.S. and feeling overwhelmed about banking, credit scores, or budgeting? You’re not alone! In this episode, we sit down with our co-host, Dr. Eshani Hettiarachchi to break down the financial basics every international scholar and student should know - from saving to surviving inflation on a tight budget to start investing. Tune in for practical tips, real stories, and smart strategies to help you thrive in today’s uncertain economy.

Links for the money literacy we mentioned during the podcast:

• Scams:

- US NEWS: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/international-student-scams-what-to-know

- FBI: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety

• Retirement calculator: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/retirement-calculator

• Money tools:

- https://www.nasdaq.com/

- https://www.investing.com/indices/us-spx-500-futures

- https://www.fool.com/

• Information pages:

- http://investing.com/

- https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/understanding-457b-vs-403b-retirement-plans

- https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/how-to-pick-stocks-using-fundamental-and-technical-analysis

- https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-on-designated-roth-accounts