Beyond Harvard Podcast

Beyond Harvard
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Education

A podcast sharing the stories of students at Harvard University - uncovering who they are here and beyond. 

  1. Aug 17 ·  Video

    Colombia to Harvard University as an International Student | Ignacio Rodriguez

    In Episode 14 we meet Ignacio Rodriguez, a Master’s Candidate in Education Policy Analysis at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE).  From a rural town in Colombia, Ignacio shares his journey as a first-generation college student. He began learning English at the age of 16, went on to become a Fulbright Scholar, and most recently delivered the HGSE Student Commencement Speech. In this conversation, Ignacio reflects on the experiences that shaped his path and the importance of believing in where you can go, even when ones circumstances may suggest otherwise. His message for listeners: “where you are born does not determine how far you will go.” In this episode, we discuss: • Growing up in rural Colombia • Ignacio's journey to Harvard • Navigating scholarships and financial aid • Believing, belonging, and becoming Beyond Harvard is a platform sharing the stories of students at Harvard University - uncovering who they are at Harvard and beyond.  Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondharvard Follow on LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/0t5an4UeNG Stream on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MWwWLQHuKAlzFm33Ke88x?si=65c7140d53be4d6b Stream on Apple Podcasts: https://tr.ee/4ZJY9AcPgk Follow on X: https://tr.ee/t4VNlI-jka Follow on TikTok:https://tr.ee/WxkBqHpGd- Join WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ln2KS4ZtfW6F9Gl2Sxpmn1?mode=gi_t Connect with Ignacio: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ignaciorodriguez-artunduaga/?isSelfProfile=false Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignaciorodriguezart/ Watch Ignacio's HGSE Commencement Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjPKki6Mo-0 Credits: Host: Rashana Weerasinghe Guest: Ignacio Rodriguez Videographer / Editor: Yaoming Duan Location: Harvard University Chapters 00:00-3:45 Intro 3:45-8:33 Childhood in Colombia 8:33-14:06 Types of Privilege 14:06-18:30 Decision to Apply to Harvard 18:30-25:00 Journey to Harvard 25:00- 26:44 Fulbright Scholar 26:44-30:50 Scholarship Applications 30:50-33:18 Accepted to Harvard  33:18-48:23 Navigating Financial Aid 48:23-53:30 Challenges at Harvard 53:50-55:44 Overcoming Failure 55:44-1:04:52 Identity Struggles 1:04:52-1:08:32 Rapid Fire with Rashana* Disclaimer: Beyond Harvard is an independent platform. All views are our own. #harvard #harvarduniversity #internationalstudents #colombia #internationalstudent #highereducation #mastersdegree #fulbrightscholarship #fulbright Support the show

    Colombia to Harvard University as an International Student | Ignacio Rodriguez

  2. Aug 4 ·  Video

    MD vs. PhD Program? A Doctor's Decision | Alanis Carmona

    In Episode 13 we meet Alanis Carmona, a PhD Candidate at Harvard Chan School of Public Health.  Born and raised in Chicago, Alanis developed an early passion for medicine. She attended Bates College, where she majored in biochemistry, minored in Chinese, and completed the pre-med track. After several years conducting biomedical research, she joined Harvard University, where she earned her PhD in Cancer Biology. Alanis reveals how she entered college on the pre-med track, believing she would become a physician, before discovering that research was another powerful way to improve patient outcomes.  We discuss: • Choosing the right path: graduate school (PhD) or medical school (MD) • Navigating failure and the realities of scientific research • Completing a Harvard PhD in just four years Whether you're considering graduate school, curious about biomedical research, or interested in the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and social impact, this conversation offers an honest look at the many paths a career in science can take. Beyond Harvard is a platform sharing the stories of students at Harvard University - uncovering who they are at Harvard and beyond.  Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondharvard Connect with Alanis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanis-carmona-phd-838127100/ Credits: Host: Rashana Weerasinghe Guest: Alanis Carmona Location: Harvard University Chapters 00:00-1:17 Intro 1:17-7:47 Dream of Becoming a Doctor 7:47-8:24 The Research Route 8:24-12:54 A Different Doctor Title 12:54-20:05 My PhD Journey  20:05-24:04 Completing a PhD in 4 years 24:04-30:40 MD vs PhD Programs 30:40-36:52 Harvard Health Lab Accelerator  36:52-43:14 Rapid Fire with Rashana * Disclaimer: Beyond Harvard is an independent platform. All views are our own. #Podcast #Harvard #PhD #PublicHealth #CancerResearch #BreastCancerResearch #STEM #BiomedicalResearch #GraduateSchool #Studentlife #Mentorship #Entrepreneurship Support the show

    MD vs. PhD Program? A Doctor's Decision | Alanis Carmona

  3. Jul 20 ·  Video

    South Africa to Harvard College as an International Student | Joshua Andrews

    In Episode 12 we meet Joshua Andrews, a first-year student at Harvard College studying Applied Mathematics. Born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa, Joshua shares what it was like applying to Harvard as an international student and reflects on his first year navigating life, academics, and community in the United States. In this episode, we discuss:  • Joshua's journey from South Africa to Harvard College • Why a liberal arts education was the right fit for him • Applying to Harvard as an international student • Lessons from his first year at Harvard • Advice for students hoping to study abroad Support the show

    South Africa to Harvard College as an International Student | Joshua Andrews

  4. Jul 6 ·  Video

    Air Force Academy, Miss America, and Harvard University | Madison Marsh

    In Episode 11, we meet Madison Marsh: a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Miss America 2024, and a Master of Public Policy candidate at Harvard Kennedy School. Madison shares her journey from military service to the Miss America stage and reflects on how losing her mother to pancreatic cancer inspired her to found the Whitney Marsh Foundation - an organization dedicated to supporting pancreatic cancer patients and advancing research. Throughout her journey, Madison has broken barriers and redefined what it means to be a woman in STEM, service, and on stage. Support the show

    Air Force Academy, Miss America, and Harvard University | Madison Marsh

  5. Jun 15 ·  Video

    From Yale to Harvard Medical School as an International Student | Alex Dong

    In Episode 10, we meet Alex Dong, an MD/MBA Candidate at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and Harvard Business School (HBS). Originally from Canada, Alex attended a high school with few resources to support students applying to universities in the United States. Alex shares his journey from his hometown to Yale College and now Harvard University. He discusses his upbringing, liberal arts education, work in science journalism, and vision for a career that combines healthcare and business. From charting his own course to making the most of opportunities along the way, Alex reflects on the lessons that shaped his path. Support the show

    From Yale to Harvard Medical School as an International Student | Alex Dong

  6. Jun 3 ·  Video

    Goldman Sachs to Harvard as a Queer Black Woman | Chandra Sahu

    In Episode 9, we meet Chandra Sahu, an MBA Candidate at Harvard Business School (HBS). From growing up in Michigan to launching her career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, Chandra shares all that she's learned along the way - opening up about her identity as a queer Black woman navigating corporate America and business school. Beyond Harvard is a platform sharing the stories of students at Harvard University - uncovering who they are at Harvard and beyond.  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/beyondharvard/ Connect with Chandra: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/csahu1/?isSelfProfile=false Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chansahu/ Credits: Host: Rashana Weerasinghe Guest: Chandra Sahu Videographer / Editor: Yaoming Duan Location: Harvard Spangler Center 00:00-2:00 Intro 2:00-5:16 Growing up in Michigan 5:16-7:35 Journey to College 7:35-8:02 Choice of UMichigan 8:03-11:04 Starting at Goldman Sachs 11:04-14:17 Reflections from Goldman Sachs  14:17-19:37 Leaving Goldman Sachs 19:37-22:14 Joining a Startup 22:14-24:57 Moving into Product Management  24:57-32:18 MBA Journey  32:18-37:35 Experience at Harvard Business School 37:35-40:40 Post-MBA 40:41-45:13 Rapid Fire with Rashana * Disclaimer: Beyond Harvard is an independent platform. All views are our own. #podcast #harvard #harvardbusinessschool #mbajourney #mba #queer #blackwoman #goldmansachs #harvard #beyondharvard #students #studentlife #interview #career Support the show

    Goldman Sachs to Harvard as a Queer Black Woman | Chandra Sahu

  7. Apr 26 ·  Video

    Leadership from Amazon to Harvard Business School | Abhi Gunasekar

    In Episode 8, we meet Abhi Gunasekar, an MS/MBA Candidate at Harvard Business School (HBS) and  School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Abhi shares his journey studying computer science at Purdue University, to working as a Software Engineer at Amazon, and now pursuing a dual degree graduate program at Harvard University.  Support the show

    Leadership from Amazon to Harvard Business School | Abhi Gunasekar

  8. Apr 23 ·  Video

    Building the World's First Water Bottle with Utensils | Steffek Rainey

    In Episode 7, we meet Steffek Rainey, a Master’s Candidate in Design Engineering (MDE) at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD) and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Steffek shares his journey into design, his decision to pursue the MDE program, and what he’s building with Evera Bottle to address the plastic pollution crisis. Support the show

    Building the World's First Water Bottle with Utensils | Steffek Rainey
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About

A podcast sharing the stories of students at Harvard University - uncovering who they are here and beyond. 

Information

  • Creator
    Beyond Harvard
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond Harvard Podcast
  • Show Website
    Beyond Harvard Podcast