In this episode of Uoffer Global Frontiers, we talk with a psychology graduate from Coventry University who shares her study-abroad experience — from International Year One to a master’s in Applied Psychology.

She opens up about adapting to university life in the UK, studying through lockdowns, finding connection in isolation, and earning her psychology certification in China to prepare for her future career if she can't find a job in the UK.

Her journey reminds us that studying abroad is not just about earning a degree — it’s about growth, resilience, and discovering who you are along the way.

🎧 Tune in for an honest look into life as an international student in the UK.

From helping students to battle rental scams and solve disputes with professors to influencing national visa and transport policies — international students face challenges most don’t see.

In this episode, we speak with Weihong Liang, Sociology PhD candidate at the University of Sydney and a leading advocate for international students. He shares real stories of student struggles, his journey from campus initiatives to national advocacy, and why building strong student communities matters. Weihong currently serves as the International Student Officer for the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations and is the founding Chair of the NSW International Student Representative Committee.

He shares:

• The most common — and sometimes shocking — problems international students bring to him, from signing contracts for apartments that don’t exist to unfair academic disputes.
• How everyday student frustrations like food prices, printing fees, and housing access can evolve into campaigns that improve campus life for everyone.
• His role in leading the Fair Fares petition for public transport discounts, and the campaign to extend the 485 visa age limit for Higher Degree by Research graduates.
• Why building community and refusing to see yourself as an “outsider” is key to both survival and success as an international student.

Interested in joining the International Student Representative Comittee (ISRC)? Get in touch at: [email protected]

Whether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or simply curious about the real experiences of international students, this conversation will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges — and the power — of student voices in shaping a fairer system.

Have you ever wondered if taking a career break to study abroad is worth the risk?

In this episode of the Uoffer Global Frontiers Podcast, we sit down with Adira Putri, a 2025 Master’s graduate in International Business from Monash University Malaysia. Originally from Jakarta, Adira left behind her career at Maybank Indonesia Finance and the U.S. Embassy to pursue her studies abroad.

She opens up about:

• Why she chose Malaysia over other destinations
• How she overcame fears of studying abroad alone
• The real differences between Indonesian and Malaysian education styles
• Career challenges for returnees — including being “overqualified” in Indonesia
• How she landed a remote job with a Singapore-based company less than a month after graduation

Adira’s journey shows that studying in Malaysia can be more than just affordable — it can be a smart investment in both personal growth and global career opportunities.

👉 If you’re considering a career break, study abroad, or wondering whether Malaysia offers real ROI, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Junyi Peng — Master’s student in Applied Linguistics at the University of Reading, Student Ambassador, scholarship recipient, entrepreneur, and founder of a youth community with 700+ members.

Junyi shares why she turned down offers from prestigious universities in the US and elsewhere to study at Reading, and how this decision shaped her unique journey. From navigating cultural adaptation through programs like Host UK, to leading as Vice President of Education at Toastmasters, she reveals how stepping out of the comfort zone accelerates growth.

We also dive into her career path as entrepreneur who landed her first UK client not by sending countless CVs, but by building networks and delivering value. Along the way, she explains her philosophy of “networking not as asking, but as bringing offerings”, and how personal branding and social media can transform opportunities: “It’s not you looking for jobs, it’s jobs finding you.”

Whether you’re an international student or simply curious about career planning, networking, and self-branding, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories.

Welcome to this episode of Her Power Series, featuring Dr. Jodie Boyd, Subject Area Lead (Education) and School Director for International at the University of Huddersfield. Jodie was the first member of her immediate family to attend university, earning a BA in Sociology, an MSc in Career Guidance. Her PhD focussed on the role of career guidance and open days on university choices. In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Her journey from “first-gen” student to higher-ed leader
• Practical strategies for resilience, mentorship, and work-life balance
• A behind-the-scenes look at Huddersfield’s career services and distance-learning MA degree
• The university’s holistic wellbeing and belonging initiatives for students

Timeline:

• 01:05 – 09:42 | Jodie’s Career Journey
• 09:43 – 19:48 | Career Advice Resilience in a fast-changing market; women’s & international student barriers; equity ≠ equality; find mentors, say “yes” (with boundaries)
• 19:48 – 26:31 | Work–Life Balance PhD + family + Work: embrace flexibility; plan rigorously; set boundaries; Huddersfield’s PhD workload policy & Athena Swan initiatives
• 26:31 – 30:14 | Wellbeing & Belonging at Huddersfield Hybrid Student Services counselling; Personal Academic Tutor check-ins; Board in Hood events & therapy dogs
• 30:15 – 37:50 | Huddersfield Careers Services Dedicated careers consultants; Graduate Career Explorer tool; international drop-ins for visas & sponsorship; AI & skills-focused curriculum; Global Professional Award & ICCDE launch
• 37:50 – 47:22 | Huddersfield Distance MA Programme 100% online MA in Career Development & Employability; live lectures; dual school/HE pathways; global community & virtual placements
• 47:22 – 49:27 | What is “Her Power”? Visibility, support & giving back; advice: step out of your comfort zone, overcome imposter syndrome

In this Cantonese episode, we sit down with Athena, a jewellery designer who transitioned from a theory-based education and full-time job in Hong Kong to a practice-driven Master’s program in the UK at Birmingham City University (BCU).

Athena shares:

• Why she left a stable career to study abroad
• The biggest contrasts between Hong Kong’s and the UK’s education styles
• How BCU fosters creativity through studio access, competitions and real-world exposure
• Her experience representing her class and influencing the graduation exhibition
• Meeting world-class artists at the Munich Jewellery Fair and how it shaped her artistic direction
• How she transformed recycled aluminium cans into a statement jewellery collection inspired by Birmingham’s street waste

This episode is more than just about jewellery—it’s about rethinking creativity, finding your voice through international education, and embracing cultural diversity.

In this episode of Uoffer Global Podcast Frontiers, we chat with Ayush Gurung, currently an undergraduate Media and Communications student at Swansea University. Ayush shares how his two-year gap working at a top Nepali newspaper inspired his decision to study abroad and how he’s turning practical experience into student leadership roles on campus. Discover insider tips on thriving in UK student life, building a standout CV through campus participation and securing part-time work as an international student.

Perfect for anyone looking to make the most of their study abroad journey!

Our guest, Riddhi Dhanuka, began her studies in Mumbai through a Transnational Education programme with the University of Wolverhampton where she obtained bachelor degree, before moving to Edinburgh to complete an MSc in Marketing at the University of Edinburgh. She’s now navigating the UK job market herself.

In this episode, Riddhi will share:

1. The real benefits of earning a British bachelor’s degree at home through TNE,

2. How teaching styles and campus life differed between Mumbai and Edinburgh,

3. Which career‑support services made the biggest impact—and where gaps still remain.

Join us as Mia—a 2024 British Council GREAT Scholar and Distinction‑earning MSc Business Analytics graduate from Aston University—shares how she turned her scholarship into a Data Consultant role at Fluency M&C Saatchi London. Learn her top tips for landing UK interviews, transforming data into strategic insights, and maintaining work‑life balance in a fast‑paced consulting career. Hit Play for a masterclass in turning academic success into real‑world impact!

Why this matters

1️⃣ Scholarships that work – How funding changed Mia’s life and career.

2️⃣ Career support that delivers – What services made the real difference.

3️⃣ Bridging culture & careers – Practical insights for job readiness.

4️⃣ Student well-being – Supporting balance in high-pressure transitions.

In this episode of Uoffer Global Frontiers, we speak with TSZ, a singer-songwriter studying Popular Music Performance (BA Hons) at BIMM University Birmingham.

Originally from Hong Kong, TSZ shares how music helped him navigate cultural and language barriers, leading to the release of his first English single on Spotify. He reflects on:

• Building English skills through daily goals
• Mental health support at BIMM and balancing study, music, and life
• How studying abroad broadened his musical influences
• Music as a tool for stress relief and personal growth

April is Stress Awareness Month—join us to hear TSZ’s inspiring journey of resilience and creativity.

Music by [Tsz] — [Let me die]