Back to College

Zac Stevenson

Ever wondered what College in America is really like? Join me, Zac Stevenson, as we dive into deep conversation with my classmates from all over the world. Hear how their ambition to study in US not only landed them a degree but transformed them into the people they always dreamed of becoming. Pack your bags - it’s time to go Back to College! Featured Countries 🇦🇺🇳🇴🇪🇨🇯🇵🇨🇳🇸🇻🇺🇸🇹🇳🇧🇷🇻🇳🇷🇺🇵🇪🇵🇰🇸🇬🇭🇳🇪🇹🇳🇵

  1. #32 🇺🇸 The Lifelong Legacy of Attracting People & Building Leaders - Mark Hecht (4K)

    03/09/2025

    #32 🇺🇸 The Lifelong Legacy of Attracting People & Building Leaders - Mark Hecht (4K)

    Today’s guest has the job of creating a place for students to connect with one another while being active. It sounds so lame when it’s said like that but trust me, what this person has created is so much more than simply a place to workout. Since the recording of this episode, this person has retired from the director of Recreational Services after serving in the role at Augustana for 36 years. Congratulations Mark Hecht on your amazing service to the students of Augustana University. Your 3 and a half decades of devotion has built this incredible community where people make life-long friends, become leaders of the future, and create everlasting memories.I hope the listener are as excited as I am to hear from one of the most influential staff members Augustana has ever had and the journey he has been on. Enjoy this remarkable conversation as we go back to college with Mark. SHOW LINKS Follow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zac on Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the podcast on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/366U9QQazfrR7VMoOHE6Ru?si=a3a4691e4d8d457e Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/back-to-college/id1704626461 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Back_to_College Find your bold at Augustana: https://www.augie.edu/ Chapters: 00:00 Trailer2:21 Intro4:40 Welcome Mark5:06 Director of Rec Services6:27 Starting in the 80's9:37 35 Years of Growth12:44 The exclusive "Late Night" events17:15 For Students By Students18:31 Not Letting the Students Have All the Fun21:55 Adopting a Student Perspective23:33 Attract People, Build Leaders26:58 Making a Real Impact on Students29:50 96%33:45 The Greatest Sport You Didn't Know Existed38:27 The Hardest Part about Mark's Job40:17 What Kept Mark Going43:30 Mark's Letter Grade45:10 Advice For Mark Right Out of College

    48 min
  2. #31 🇪🇨 Wrestling with Religion, Trust Fund Baby, Being Open to Change - Samy Lopez (4K)

    02/23/2025

    #31 🇪🇨 Wrestling with Religion, Trust Fund Baby, Being Open to Change - Samy Lopez (4K)

    Today’s guest actually started college in her home Country. We hear about it was like moving away from home to attend university at Ecuador’s capital, Quito, changing from a medical student to studying economics, doing a high school exchange to the US, transferring from University in Ecuador to College in the America, challenging religious and personal beliefs, participating in debates at the model UN, working in the trust fund industry, getting married, dreams for the future, discovering personal truth… and everything in between.I was honestly quite amazed at the life journey this person has been on to become the person she is today. Her curiosity through learning and understanding has and continues to allow her to overcome obstacles and find her truth.There’s a wonderful feeling I have every time I get to see this person. She has an incredibly warm, welcoming aura. She really just an awesome person.I hope that you enjoy our conversation as we go back to College with Samy.SHOW LINKS Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠Samy on Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow⁠⁠⁠⁠ Zac on Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the podcast on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/366U9QQazfrR7VMoOHE6Ru?si=a3a4691e4d8d457e Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/back-to-college/id1704626461 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Back_to_College Find your bold at Augustana: https://www.augie.edu/ Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 2:15 Intro 4:48 Welcome Samy 6:26 Growing Up in Ecuador 7:58 Starting Uni in Ecuador 8:59 Wanting to Become a Doctor 11:08 Wanting Other Things in Life 12:40 Switching to Economics 15:15 Getting a Taste for South Dakota 18:05 Decision to Study in the US 20:17 Transferring to the US 22:10 Ecuadorian Food VS American Food 25:10 Studying in America 28:44 College in America VS University in Ecuador 31:19 The US Classes 33:57 Government Club 35:16 So Much to Learn 45:16 Samy's Letter Grade 46:29 The Non-Obvious Highlights 51:31 What makes Augie Special for International Students 54:49 Working in Wealth 57:06 Samy's Dream 58:27 Getting Married 61:10 What Would Samy Tell her High school Self?

    1h 3m
  3. #30 🇺🇸 Professional Photo/Video, Drive Through Graduation, Love of Literature - Katelyn Clement (4K)

    02/02/2025

    #30 🇺🇸 Professional Photo/Video, Drive Through Graduation, Love of Literature - Katelyn Clement (4K)

    Today’s guest comes is a Sioux Falls local. We hear all about what the local South Dakota culture is like, growing up a theatre kid in high school, coming to college on a bet, the pursuit of a career in publication, why living on campus is so unique, the elaborate plan to move to Austin, working as a freelance photographer doing senior pics and weddings as well as creating music videos for Sioux Falls artists, the sporadic skillset of a content coordinator… and everything in between. It wasn’t until later on in our college journeys we met each other in the photography lab. I find it remarkable that we’re both now working deep in the creative industry, especially since that wasn’t the direction either of us were heading at the beginning of college. I’m proud of the growth this person has had as a creative and as a person since our time in photo class. She has a strong creative spirit that continues to shine brighter overtime. Please enjoy this conversation as we go back to College with Katelyn. SHOW LINKS Follow ⁠⁠⁠Katelyn on Insta⁠⁠⁠ Follow⁠⁠⁠ Zac on Insta⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the podcast on; Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/366U9QQazfrR7VMoOHE6Ru?si=a3a4691e4d8d457e Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/back-to-college/id1704626461 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Back_to_College Augustana University: Find your bold at Augustana: https://www.augie.edu/ Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 1:44 Intro 3:35 Welcome Katelyn 5:28 Meeting in the Photo Lab 7:07 Working as a Content Coordinator 8:35 Wanting to be a Writer 10:50 Sioux Falls Local 12:18 Highschool in South Dakota (Band) 15:23 Deciding a College on a Bet 18:04 Aspirations for College 18:42 American Highschool Vs American College 21:35 Living On and Off Campus 23:57 Plans to Move to Austin Texas 28:07 Drive Through Graduation 31:28 Zac's Personal Graduation 34:04 Zac's Abrupt End to College 37:26 Freelance Photography 41:12 Photography Vs Videography 43:24 What Makes Photography Special 45:56 Katelyn's Dream Job 47:25 No Shortcutting Experience 49:44 Katelyn's Letter Grade 53:12 Everybody Knows Everybody 54:39 Advice to High school Katelyn

    56 min
  4. #29 🇺🇸 Swim Team Founding Member, Athletic Identity, Mastering The Art of Wondering - Maggie Oberg (4K)

    01/12/2025

    #29 🇺🇸 Swim Team Founding Member, Athletic Identity, Mastering The Art of Wondering - Maggie Oberg (4K)

    Today’s guest comes from Sioux City Iowa. A mere 1 and a half hour drive from Augustana. We hear from this Religion and Psych major, about her tough time deciding on a college, how she discovered her majors, whether to pursue soccer or swimming at college, athletic identity and coping after retirement, discovering what to study, a vivid recall of her first college class, the unique skill no other college teaches, working at the Elmen in rec services, her time at grad school, becoming a therapist… and everything in between. Seeing how this person has grown from the first day of college, where we sat next to each other feeling scared out of our minds, to now, where she is working as a full time therapist helping people with their own mental health, is extraordinary. It was honour to have shared my time at college with someone so devoted to helping and serving others. Making them feel heard, understood, and welcomed. It’s time to go back to College with Maggie. SHOW LINKS Follow ⁠⁠Bammi on Insta⁠⁠ Follow⁠⁠ Zac on Insta⁠⁠ Listen to the podcast on; Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/366U9QQazfrR7VMoOHE6Ru?si=a3a4691e4d8d457e Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/back-to-college/id1704626461 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Back_to_College Augustana University: Find your bold at Augustana: https://www.augie.edu/ Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 02:11 Intro 04:07 Welcome Maggie 05:25 Deciding on Psychology and Religion 08:04 Scared Together in First Class at College 12:10 Knack for Writing 13:52 Deciding on a College (Not Easy) 18:35 Decision to Pursue Soccer or Swimming 23:46 Trailblazing Swimming at Augie 30:19 Doing it for you. Walk On Athlete 33:43 Closure to Athletic Career 36:23 Finding Identity After Being an Athlete 38:15 Working out in the Real World (After College) 44:40 Food Intolerances 47:34 Working in Rec Services 51:48 Professional Role in the Elmen 55:29 The secret that elevated EVERY part of College 58:57 Religious Hoes and Athletic CEOs Thesis 01:04:49 Maggie's Letter Grade 01:07:33 Grad School 01:09:18 Working as a Therapist 01:14:10 Storytelling 01:17:04 Advice for 18 Year Old Maggie

    1h 19m
  5. #27 🇪🇹 Africa to Augie, H-1B Work Visa, Pushing Yourself - Bammi Abate (4K)

    12/15/2024

    #27 🇪🇹 Africa to Augie, H-1B Work Visa, Pushing Yourself - Bammi Abate (4K)

    In this episode we are unlocking a new continent! This will be our very first guest from Africa. I wasn’t kidding when I told you I had friends from all over the world. In this conversation we talk about why someone would leave Addis Ababa to study in the US, how to find a US college from Ethiopia, the challenges of picking a major, becoming more chill towards elders, obtaining a H-1B work visa, working on campus as a data analyst post graduation, plans for the future… and much more. This was a really fun conversation and I hope that shines through for you. Every time I would see this person on campus my day would be better. It’s impossible to not be in a good mood with this person’s playful personality. Prepare for your emotional state to be enlightened, as we go back to college with Bammi. SHOW LINKS Follow ⁠Bammi on Insta⁠ Follow⁠ Zac on Insta⁠ Listen to the podcast on; Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/366U9QQazfrR7VMoOHE6Ru?si=a3a4691e4d8d457e Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/back-to-college/id1704626461 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Back_to_College Augustana University: Find your bold at Augustana: https://www.augie.edu/ Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 1:55 Intro 3:26 Welcome Bammi 3:47 Now Working at Augustana 5:05 H1B Visa 7:19 Growing up in Ethiopia 9:53 Addis Ababa 12:44 First Homo sapien Discovery 14:48 Drive to come to the US 16:53 What if Bammi stayed in Ethiopia? 18:43 Discovering Augustana 21:50 Deciding on what to study 25:35 The benefits of a liberal arts college 28:16 Tapping into creativity 30:32 Big Time Culture Shock 34:30 Adjusting to College 35:45 Individualistic vs Collectivistic Cultures 37:17 Highlights from College 40:32 The Tough Moments at College 45:14 On Campus Leader 48:41 Bammi's Letter Grade 51:29 The parts that maybe could have been better 54:02 Advice to Younger Bammi

    55 min
  6. #26 🇧🇷 Passionate Music Producer, Technology Tinkerer, Evolving Empathy - Daniel Leite (4K

    12/01/2024

    #26 🇧🇷 Passionate Music Producer, Technology Tinkerer, Evolving Empathy - Daniel Leite (4K

    Today’s guest is from the iconic city of Rio De Janeiro. When this episode was recorded in December 2023, this person had just graduated with their Computer Science major and Data Science minor. In this conversation we talk about the factors the swayed this person to studying abroad in America, how they came across Augustana, Adjusting to the new culture both right away but also many years later, Computer Science classes, Starting a clothing brand, taking classes from the New multimedia and entrepreneurship major, their future in music… and much more. I’m super glad I was able to reconnect with this person on the podcast. It’s a fun dynamic catching up after a few years very quickly right before we hit record. I admire this person’s creative spirit but most of all the growth he has had during his time at college. Join me, as we go back to college with Danny. SHOW LINKS Follow Danny on Insta Follow Zac on Insta Listen to the podcast on; Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/366U9QQazfrR7VMoOHE6Ru?si=a3a4691e4d8d457e Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/back-to-college/id1704626461 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Back_to_College Augustana University: Find your bold at Augustana: https://www.augie.edu/ Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 1:28 Intro 2:58 Welcome Danny 6:00 Looking for Colleges in the US 7:49 Brazil Geography Lesson 9:12 Desire to go abroad to US 11:46 College Criteria 13:49 Landing on Augie 15:12 Coming to US 17:45 Adjusting to college 20:43 Coping with Classes 24:33 Computer Science Classes 27:57 To know our future we must study the past 31:43 Starting a Business at College 34:55 The music in me 35:51 New Multimedia Classes about Audio Engineering 41:23 Future in Music? 45:20 Living in Contrast of Culture 48:07 Brazil or US? 48:46 Danny's Letter Grade 51:03 Advice for Students thinking about studying in the US 52:00 Self-reflection on transformation

    57 min
  7. #25 🇨🇳 Lost in Darkness, Growing Up Alone in US, Living a College Dream - Shirley Wang (4K)

    11/17/2024

    #25 🇨🇳 Lost in Darkness, Growing Up Alone in US, Living a College Dream - Shirley Wang (4K)

    Today is quite a unique episode because this person is a stranger. I only met this person the day before I started recording. I met this person on campus in the IPO. This person stuck out to me as someone who had a fascinating back story. She struggled from a very young age in China, having a lot of pressure put on her, and she was actually sent to the US for better life when she was just 12 years old. In this episode we're going to explore exactly how this person was able to cope with a change. And ultimately, how she found a home at Augustana University. At the time of recording, which was almost one year ago, this person, was just in her last year before she graduated with psychology and biology as her majors. So please join me as we try and fit these puzzle pieces together of this person's remarkable college journey. It's time to go back to college with Shirley. SHOW LINKS Follow Shirley on Insta - https://www.instagram.com/yue_shirley_54a/ Follow Zac on Insta - https://www.instagram.com/zac.stevenson_/ Listen to the podcast on; Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/366U9QQazfrR7VMoOHE6Ru?si=a3a4691e4d8d457e Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/back-to-college/id1704626461 YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Back_to_College Augustana University: Find your bold at Augustana: https://www.augie.edu/ Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 1:08 Intro 3:37 Welcome Shirley 4:10 Coming to the US alone at 12 7:21 First Day of US Middle school 12:29 Coping with Culture Shock as an 8th Grader 14:55 I don't Want to Live Anymore 20:41 Middle school in China vs US 28:23 A College Visit that left an Impression 35:53 Turning down the Big Universities 37:34 Changing from Pred-Med to Psych & Bio 40:51 Discovering Neuroscience & Philosophy 43:39 Shirley's Bike Club Mistake 49:24 Working at the IPO 54:45 Shirley's Lettergrade 60:51 Plan's After Graduating

    1h 10m
  8. #24 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Managing International Students // Co-Directors of the IPO - Erin Kane & Heather Reed (4K)

    08/25/2024

    #24 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Managing International Students // Co-Directors of the IPO - Erin Kane & Heather Reed (4K)

    Today is actually a very big milestone. Any guesses as to what we are celebrating today? This podcast is now 1 year old! In that year we’ve had 23 guests who came from 13 different countries but we are very much just getting started. Many more episodes have already been recorded and just between you and me, I may have a plan to record a few more in the not too distant future. Stay tuned. In this episode we’re breaking all the rules. We have not one guest but two. And… they’re not classmates of mine. In a Back to College first, we are sitting down with the Co-Direcors of the IPO (International Programs Office). These two take the lead of managing and looking after all the International students coming into Augustana, whether they are 4 year degree seekers like myself, international transfer students, or students on a study away program from other countries. On the flip side they also organise all the study abroad courses for students enrolled at Augustana University. It’s a massive operation but that alone is not what makes the IPO one-of-a-kind. I can’t stress enough how unusual it is to have such rich diversity at a college that would otherwise be more vanilla than your ice-cream. That’s all thanks to the IPO. With each guest having grown up in the midwest, we’ll hear about each of their study abroad experiences and how it transformed them into people with pure passion and care towards the work they do today. They are the unofficial mothers of the IPO, it’s time to go back to college with Erin & Heather. SHOW LINKS Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠the IPO ⁠⁠⁠⁠on Insta⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gram Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Zac⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Listen to the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Augustana University: Find your bold at Augustana: https://www.augie.edu/ Chapters: 0:00 Trailer 2:14 Intro 4:48 Welcome Erin & Heather 5:13 Roles as Co-Directors of IPO 8:44 Fostering a Family 10:27 Heather's Studying Abroad Experiences 13:14 Erin's Study Abroad Experiences 15:26 The importance of Sending Students Abroad 16:53 Preparing for J-Term 19:45 Most Common Questions Students Ask 21:53 Resources to Help Students Financially 23:35 Their "why" 26:02 Not Just Regular Students 28:31 A True Community 30:01 Small Enough to Actually Make a Big Impact 32:04 Challenges Navigating Students in a Volitile World 35:52 Erin and Heather's Lettergrade 39:28 Things that would make the job better 40:20 This is Why You Should Choose Augustana 42:48 Why Studying Abroad at College is a MUST

    45 min
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About

Ever wondered what College in America is really like? Join me, Zac Stevenson, as we dive into deep conversation with my classmates from all over the world. Hear how their ambition to study in US not only landed them a degree but transformed them into the people they always dreamed of becoming. Pack your bags - it’s time to go Back to College! Featured Countries 🇦🇺🇳🇴🇪🇨🇯🇵🇨🇳🇸🇻🇺🇸🇹🇳🇧🇷🇻🇳🇷🇺🇵🇪🇵🇰🇸🇬🇭🇳🇪🇹🇳🇵

Information

  • Creator
    Zac Stevenson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Zac Stevenson
  • Show Website
    Back to College