The Bridge

For this first episode of the new season of The Bridge Podcast, we are going to dive into a question from an international student of “How can I be Kind to someone when I know that the other person is just trying to take advantage of me (or my kindness)?

Chick fil a

Chris is back! The three of us talk to our guest, Josh, about how to navigate the current moment, how to overcome cultural differences in the workplace, and the importance of community.

Plus, we learn about a 5300-year-old Iceman and get jobs as deodorant quality control officers.

Order of topics:

1. Warm-up questions

2. Classroom

3. Interview with Josh

4. Encouragement from the Bible

Special thanks to Shammah for the music in today’s episode.

Check out our website: bridgesfriends.com

Follow us on Instagram: @bridgesinternationalfriends

We welcome Anand on as our guest today, alongside part II or “Meagan fills in for Chris.” Together, we listen to Anand talk about his time at UB, what students can do to adjust to changes in the world, and where he sees international education goin in the next few years.

Plus, we learn about animal elections and have a special drop-in guest at the end!

Order of topics:

1. Warm-up questions

2. Classroom

3. Interview with Anand

4. Encouragement from the Bible

Special thanks to Shammah for the music in today’s episode.

Check out our website: bridgesfriends.com

Follow us on Instagram: @bridgesinternationalfriends

Zach’s sister Meagan is back! Filling in for Chris, she joins our alumni guest, Hits, for a conversation about what jobs have looked like during COVID and how to take care of your personal goals in the midst of a lot of change.

Plus, emotional support kangaroos might come up as well.

Order of topics:

1. Warm-up questions

2. Classroom

3. Interview with Hits

4. Encouragement from the Bible

Special thanks to Shammah for the music in today’s episode.

Check out our website: bridgesfriends.com

Follow us on Instagram: @bridgesinternationalfriends

This week we have an inspiring conversation with Franklin, a former UB student who has recently moved to Texas to take a new job. We sit down with him to talk about getting laid off during COVID and how he managed that disappointment, plus balancing work and family and 4 practical tips on how to settle into a new job.

And also more zombie talk, plus more than you ever wanted to know about McDonalds.

Order of topics:

1. Warm-up questions

2. Classroom

3. Interview with Franklin

4. Encouragement from the Bible

Special thanks to Shammah for the music in today’s episode.

Check out our website: bridgesfriends.com

Follow us on Instagram: @bridgesinternationalfriends

We also discuss Nobel prizes and ant zombies.

Order of topics:

1. Warm-up questions

2. Classroom

3. Interview with Professor Macwan

4. Encouragement from the Bible

Special thanks to Shammah for the music in today’s episode.

Check out our website: bridgesfriends.com

Follow us on Instagram: @bridgesinternationalfriends

Professor Isaac Macwan is our guest this week! Isaac is a former UB international student who eventually became a a professor of computer science and engineering at his school and then at Fairfield University. He shares with us the keys that a student in his class needs to succeed, and the one thing he knows that will predict their success in their field.

We also discuss Nobel prizes and ant zombies.

Order of topics:

1. Warm-up questions

2. Classroom

3. Interview with Professor Macwan

4. Encouragement from the Bible

Special thanks to Shammah for the music in today’s episode.

Check out our website: bridgesfriends.com

Follow us on Instagram: @bridgesinternationalfriends

This week we’re joined by Duke, who graduated from UB in 2013 and has been working in his field ever since. Our conversation is mainly focused on the process of getting a job: interviews, important skills and decisions, and how to continually improve as you search.

Other topics include whether we would want to be a miniature hippo or use our foreheads as ad space.

Order of topics:

1. Warm-up questions

2. Classroom

3. Interview with Duke

4. Encouragement from the Bible

Special thanks to Shammah for the music in today’s episode.

Check out our website: bridgesfriends.com

Follow us on Instagram: @bridgesinternationalfriends

Our guest this week is Marvin, who studied at UB and is now pursuing his PhD at Tufts University. We talk about that decision and why getting a PhD is not for everyone, as well as good reasons to get a terminal degree.

And as always, our talk involves worms, skunks, and why your baby’s citizenship could depend on whether your flight is delayed.

Order of topics:

1. Warm-up questions

2. Classroom

3. Interview with Marvin

4. Encouragement from the Bible

Special thanks to Shammah for the music in today’s episode.

Check out our website: bridgesfriends.com

Follow us on Instagram: @bridgesinternationalfriends

The first guest in our new series is Raghu, a former student who has job experience both in the US and in his home country of India. In this episode, he reflects on the differences between the two experiences and stresses the importance of continuous learning.

Plus, we talk about having snakes for hair and how to get away with murder.

Order of topics:

1. Warm-up questions

2. Classroom

3. Interview with Raghu

4. Encouragement from the Bible

Special thanks to Shammah for the music in today’s episode.

Check out our website: bridgesfriends.com

Follow us on Instagram: @bridgesinternationalfriends