The Non-Immigrant Student

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Hellloo my favorite people! (shhhh, don't let the Youtube people hear),

I have missed you! I have also missed recording audio content for my podcast! I feel like since I got comfortable with Youtube, I found it hard to come back to creating for my podcast again. I'd like to make the promise that I will be back with a new episode/season soon but these days, I've found myself making too many promises on delivering content (especially for my blog on Medium), so I best be careful. Anyhoo, I've missed you so much, and for now, I'm back with the last and final podcast episode for Season 4 (and nostalgically, the last one I recorded while living in New York City).

In this episode, Maureen and I discuss her transition from Nigeria to the UK, where she is building a flourishing career in People and Change Consulting, while also mentoring and offering guidance to others in their career paths through her career coaching outfit, Intentional Strides.

We fondly reminisce on our school days, the mischief and camaraderie that formed the bedrock of our friendship, and share how our friendship has thrived miles apart for the past 16 years! We also reminisce about our high school activism ventures, and the rebellious spirit that sometimes landed us in "trouble" but taught us invaluable lessons. You can listen to/watch more about our activism days here. 

Since I'll be moving to the UK in January 2025, I thought to sit with Maureen and learn everything I need to know before my big move to London! 

Whether you're planning a move abroad, seeking career advice, or simply looking to hear heartwarming tales of friendship, this episode is for you! ENJOY!

Walker's Shortbread & English Breakfast Tea,
Teoluks & Morinzy 

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Hi guys,

I'm back with yet another episode featuring one of my best guys, Excel Chukwurah! "A friend, a colleague and a brother", we've spent the last two years making the best of our work & personal lives in New York City since we both moved here from Chicago and Ithaca, NY. Sadly, Excel & I will be temporarily saying goodbye to the US as we will be moving abroad to keep our jobs and maintain legal status of our US immigration. In this episode, we reminisce about our individual journey(s) to the US, dealing with shitty work situations, and all the fun memories we made while living in New York City. We also "schpiel" the tea of our new work locations/countries and options to consider when at a risk of losing your work authorization as a US non-immigrant. Fun-fact: One of us will be moving to another country in the Americas while the other will be moving to a country in Europe. Can you guess who?! It's definitely an episode of mixed feelings, bitter-sweet emotions and happy nostalgia of our time in the US so far. We had so much fun recording this and we hope you have as much fun listening. Lastly, if you have any well-wishes, advice or tips to share for moving to a new country, please send them via the 'Fan note' link and be rest assured that it is received with gratitude. 

Tasty Bagels & Crusty Pizzas, from NYC, 
Tolu & Excel

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Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you! 

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HELLLLOOOO GOOD PEOPLE! Yes, yes, I have missed you too.

How have you been? I hope you have been keeping well. If I tell you all that has happened to me within the past three months since you last heard from me here, you would not believe! So many changes! I didn't know Season 4 of my life in the US would hit this hard! I'm now in a state of perpetual embrace brothers & sisters; God told no lies when he said to get ready! For context, see Season 4's Trailer.

In this episode, I'm back with another guest, a return guest, my friend, your friend - Dr. Pearl Achuoboro Abue! Fun-fact: She was our very first guest on this podcast! In our very first episode together (Season 1, Episode 6), she shared how she almost dropped out of the Chemical Engineering PhD program in 2021 but now stands ready to don the title of "Doctor" in 2024.

Her academic path, shaped profoundly by her father's encouragement and eventual loss, provides a poignant counterpoint to Pearl's story. She opens up about the rollercoaster ride of switching academic tracks, the impact of her father’s passing in December 2021, and the emotional toll it took. Pearl and I discuss the intersections of grief and motivation, touching on the emotional trials that come with losing a loved one while striving to meet academic milestones. She shares her experiences with finding a therapist who helped manage her grief and academic stress, and we both reflect on the importance of mental health and support systems. Newcomers will get to know Pearl through our shared history, and everyone will be reminded of the incredible power of perseverance and the unwavering support of loved ones.

We end this heartfelt episode with a discussion about healing and growth through therapy, prayer, and find out what's next for Dr. Abue. What does it take to bounce back from the brink of academic despair to the cusp of graduation?  Well, find out in this latest episode, and watch this video to recap our best moments from that weekend. (Fun-fact: I was the resident photographer/videographer at all the events!)

As always, we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording! 

Ph.Done ✌🏾✌🏾; mic drop...

Lots of love & BBQ steak, from Austin TX,
Tolu & Dr. P

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Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you! 

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Hi guys!!!

How are you doing? How have you been?  I hope you're thriving & in good health!

I'm back with yet another new episode and this time, I came back with a three-time guest; one of my best girls, Busayo!

In this episode, we dive into the details of our first big fight and how it almost cost us our 11-year long friendship! It all started with a Galentine brunch, a shopping spree and a night over that went south very quickly! We reflected on how we handled the conflict and why we chose to repair our friendship before it was too late.

I'm reminded that friendships are like gardens, requiring patient tending, honest conversations, and the willingness to grow together. As always, we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!

With love from NY/NJ,
Toolz  x Bussy B

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Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you! 

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Hey guys,

Season 4 is finally here!!! And I'm back with a surprise for you....I'm on a new mic!💃🏾 

Definitely feeling excited, elated, exhilarated about the new year but at the same time -  anxious, worried and tippy-toed! 

My hope is to capture all of these feelings in this new season, and share how I will be embracing and navigating the perceived changes in this new year.

I'm all set, are you? Let's go! 🚀

See you in the airwaves,
Tolu

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Happy New Year my fellow NISs!

Wow it’s been 3 years doing podcasting. Started in 2021 just after I moved to the US and now we’re here. Season 3 was a good run - I learnt to navigate adulthood, living in New York City, and survived corporate America. I definitely feel like I learnt a lot about myself!

This season will be all about 'Embracing Change'. The plan is to welcome any curve ball life throws at me; to fully embrace it, navigate it and adapt gracefully.  This will also be my fourth year in the US as a non-immigrant (foreign national living/working in the US on a non-immigrant visa), and I can’t wait to see what this new season holds.

Some changes I’m kinda looking forward to this year - change in job levels/a promotion, change in relationship status, change in spiritual levels (higher calling), change in work location, residential address changes, changes in friendships, changes in lifestyle choices (health & fitness-wise), changes in my emotional health, overcoming fears (driving, skydiving)....and THE LIST GOES ON!

If you’re also anticipating some changes in your life this year then this season/podcast is for you. I hope you stick with me for the time being, and enjoy the ride. 

Tell a friend to tell a friend, your girl's beeeeckkkkkkk!!!

See you in the next episode(s),
Tolu O.

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This podcast was originally recorded for Youtube and can be viewed here.  

Our conversation ventures beyond the professional, diving into the essence of what it means to be healthy in every aspect of life. We navigate the murky waters of emotional and financial stability, touching on the lessons learned from our Nigerian roots to the challenges faced abroad. Discover the role of spirituality in our lives, both as a source of strength and as a guiding compass through adversity. 

Tune in to hear how we grapple with the delicate balance of body image, the intricacies of social interaction as introverts and extroverts, and the discipline it takes to pursue holistic well-being.

Happy Listening!
Tolu x Lade


P.S - Some additional links from the YT video: 

• “On My Trip to New York, from Boston" by World of Escape on Medium.
  
  
• Omolade's podcast where she shares "...a layman guide to hacking your diet, health, beauty and fitness routine". Follow her on Instagram @grow.with.lade.

Support the show

Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you! 

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Helllllllooo people,

It’s almost time to bid farewell to 2023, and usher in a new year! Grateful for the many of you that are still here and hoping for a bigger and better next year for all of us!

I hope this episode also inspires you to look back on the beautiful year you’ve had, what could have gone better and lessons you might have learned about life and yourself. 

Sending you warm hugs from NYC, and wishing you a very wonderful new year ahead! Happy Listening :)

Much much love x Respect,
Tolu

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Recently, I had a very crazy idea to voice log a day in my weekend life in NYC! It took a lot to put it together but I’m so happy to see it worked out!

I had such a cool & cozy Saturday ft. laundry, a visit to the nail saloon, plant mum duties, cooking a typical Nigerian breakfast and hosting a friend! My friend came over to spend the whole day and we had a lot to catch up on and chat about - from societal expectations of women to age-old gender roles, to the sometimes unequal division of household chores in marriage. Also, about possible low levels of Vitamin D in Black people, cultural ignorance and offensive assumptions/stereotypes about Nigerians...yeah, it was a whole LOT.

I hope you enjoy listening, and getting to know me a little better as this is nothing like I’ve ever done before.

Today is also Nov. 23, 2023! Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving if you’re in the US and reading this today! I also hope you enjoy(ed) the holiday/weekend.

Till next time...with love from NYC,

Tolu (& Funto)

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Heyyyy y'all!

I'm baaaack, and this time I'm back with a familiar guest - Bussy B!

As Detty December approaches, Busayo and I sit down to reminisce our experience(s) of going back to Nigeria during Christmas (for me) and Summer (for her). I went back home in December 2022 to see my family and attend my sister's wedding while she went back in July 2023 to obtain her H-1B/American work visa, and also spend time with her family.

We share some tips to prepare for the sweet (and somewhat sour) experience of going back home, and air some dirty laundry about what it's like living with your parents again, haha! 

It's all love, laughter and banter and we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!

'IJGB' hugs from NYC, 
Tolu & Bussy

Support the show

Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you!