In the third episode of Off the Ledger, we turn the tables! We sit down with our co-host, Akshay, to dive deep into his fascinating and completely unplanned journey from India to New Zealand.Akshay, a recent Master’s graduate in Applied Data Science from the University of Canterbury , shares the incredible story of how a spontaneous urge to attend a study fair led him to the other side of the world, ultimately finding a unique course that helped him transition back into a STEM career after studying Business Administration. The wildest part? He didn't realize he was heading "all the way down south" until he was right about to board the plane, thinking he was headed for Europe!Akshay is a massive Linkin Park fan and a lover of geopolitics and history. Tune in to hear his full story and how curiosity and a little bit of fate can change your life in a matter of months!

In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the journey of Ashwin, an AI Research Engineer/Scientist at Intel who has successfully established a high-achieving career and life in the Netherlands!Ashwin shares how he moved from India to the Netherlands to pursue his Master's degree, ultimately landing a highly coveted role at a world-leading tech company and even becoming a homeowner at just 28.We explore everything from his early interest in computer science and sci-fi, the unconventional decision to choose the Netherlands over the US for his advanced degree, and the realities of life as an international student.Whether you're an aspiring AI professional, an international student considering studying abroad, or looking for advice on balancing work and life through "offensive and defensive hobbies", Ashwin's journey is packed with practical wisdom and advice.

Ashwin is an AI Research Engineer at Intel, based in the Netherlands. He holds a Master's degree in AI with Robotic Specialization from the University of Groningen.If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button, subscribe for more career insights, and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments below!

Join us for a conversation with Sue Pham as she shares her inspiring personal journey and experience transitioning from Vietnam to New Zealand.

Having arrived in 2018, Sue offers candid cultural insights and observations on adapting to a new environment. Our host found it particularly striking how similar Southeast Asian and South Asian cultures are, and how those traditions often differ strikingly from many Western norms.

We explore what it means to settle into New Zealand, a vibrant melting pot of diverse ethnicities. Hear Sue's story and discover the common threads that connect us all through the process of global adaptation.

Cairo Akehurst was just 17 years old and in high school when he was awarded the New Zealand Prime Minister's Space Prize. He is currently the founder of Cattle Credit, his startup, and a strong proponent of why New Zealand must embrace the startup culture.In this podcast, he recounts his experience receiving his award, his reasons for starting the journey of a startup, his meeting with the CEO of Rocket Lab, and his tour of the Rocket Lab facilities.