Global Student Voices

Scott Martin of Global Student Solutions

“Global Student Voices” with Coach Martin is your bi-weekly dose of inspiration from the world of international education. Scott R. Martin, a veteran in the field, brings you heartfelt stories and practical advice from global students and experts. Dive into discussions on cross-border education, student experiences, and strategies for academic triumphs. Perfect for students, educators, and parents, this podcast is a guiding light for anyone involved in the global education journey.

  1. S3E11 — “What’s Next?” Series #2 | "The Question Before the Question" for Scholars and Success

    MAY 6

    S3E11 — “What’s Next?” Series #2 | "The Question Before the Question" for Scholars and Success

    In the second episode of our “What’s Next?” series on Global Student Voices, host Mitchell Barure sits down with Coach Scott R. Martin to answer a real student question submitted by Juliana in Kigali, Rwanda: “How can I secure a fully-funded scholarship and successfully adapt to studying in a new country?” It’s the most common question international mobile students ask, and Coach explains why it’s almost always asked in the wrong order. Drawing on his own journey from a high school in Kenya to a U.S. university (and later 25+ years in international education, including five years as a secondary principal in Indonesia), Coach reframes the scholarship conversation, shares two adaptation skills every Third Culture Kid needs, and walks through how the eight-week MC³ (My Career & College Coach) cohort condenses years of confusion into a structured process. Whether you’re a student trying to make sense of applications, a parent navigating this season with your senior, or a school leader looking for a teachable framework for your counselors, this episode delivers a single reordering that changes outcomes. Submit your own “What’s Next?” question: https://forms.gle/1Sd9BRsZvkjZ1PP48Host:Mitchell Barure | Affiliate Partnerships Lead, Global Student Solutions | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-barure-4861a4362/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BEkZM9flEQjyDQ5wLZXEtjA%3D%3DAbout the guest Scott R. Martin (“Coach Martin”) | Founder & CEO, Global Student Solutions | Author of six books on international education and TCK development | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-r-martin-coachmartin/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BjU611DAZRaanbkYIPgW1xg%3D%3DB-roll found in the beginning link- https://www.pexels.com/ International School Consulting: https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/international-schoolsMC3 My Career & College Coach:https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/MC3-Africa2.htmlFor the GNN membership, the app is in development, but you can instead use this https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/MC3-Africa2.html#about to promote an upcoming cohort #internationalstudents #internationalexperience #internationalschool #fullyfundedscholarships #thirdculturekid #studyabroad #studyabroadprograms #globalstudentvoices #MC³cohortCoach Martin is an individual coaching service from the founder of GSS, Scott Martin. You can schedule an appointment with him right now at https://www.cloudhq.net/meeting/srmar...This video is brought to you by Global Student Solutions and My College Coach, and more information is available on the website at www.theGlobalStudentSolutions.com

    22 min
  2. S3 E10 Global Compliance: What Every DSO & Student Needs to Know| Dr. Josh Schoonover, Ask A DSO

    MAY 6

    S3 E10 Global Compliance: What Every DSO & Student Needs to Know| Dr. Josh Schoonover, Ask A DSO

    What happens when one small paperwork mistake ends four years of compliant study in the United States? On this episode of Global Student Voices, Coach Scott Martin sits down with Dr. Josh Schoonover — founder of Ask A DSO — to break down the rapidly shifting F-1 regulatory landscape and what international students and the schools that serve them must do right now.Josh brings a decade of hands-on DSO experience to questions that most F-1 students can't get answered at their own institution. From travel ban impacts and OPT processing delays to the looming Duration of Status rule change, this conversation covers what's already happening — and how to stay ahead of what's coming.Key Topics Covered:• What a DSO is and why the role matters for every international student• Travel ban impacts on F-1 students from 40 countries• OPT and STEM OPT delays: what's actually happening and why• The Duration of Status rule change on the horizon• Real compliance mistakes students make — and the consequences• The #1 free action every international student should take right now• How Ask A DSO supports both students and institutionsConnect With Dr. Josh Schoonover:askadso.com | linkedin.com/in/joshschoonover22 | skool.com/ask-a-dso | josh@askadso.comGlobal Student Solutions Services:MC³ College Counseling- https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/MC3-Africa2.htmlInternational School Consulting-https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/international-schoolsGlobal Student Network Membership-https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/MC3-Africa2.html#about#internationalstudents #f1visainterview #f1visa #DSO #globalstudentvoices #globalstudents #thirdculturekids #studyinusa #internationalexperience #internationaleducation Coach Martin is an individual coaching services from the founder of GSS, Scott Martin. You can schedule an appointment with him right now at https://www.cloudhq.net/meeting/srmar...This video is brought to you by Global Student Solutions and My College Coach, and more information is available on the website at www.theGlobalStudentSolutions.com

    22 min
  3. S3 E9 High School Research Access with RISE Global Education

    MAY 6

    S3 E9 High School Research Access with RISE Global Education

    What does independent research actually do for a high school student’s university application — and how does a globally mobile student access it? In this episode of Global Student Voices, Coach Scott R. Martin sits down with Yash Mundada, founder of RISE Global Education, to explore one of the most powerful and underused tools in the international admissions toolkit: published, PhD-mentored high school research.Yash left a software engineering career at Facebook to build RISE — a 10-week, fully online research mentorship program pairing students with PhD mentors across STEM, humanities, and social sciences. With 500+ mentors, an 80% publication rate, and a price point of $2,500 (versus $6,000–$7,000 for comparable programs), RISE is democratizing access to independent research for students around the world.In this episode:• Why research is now a key differentiator at selective universities — and why test scores are not• The ideal student profile: grades 9–10, academically ready, ~7 hrs/week• The 10-week program structure, week by week• Three-person support model: PhD mentor, writing coach, student success manager• How to apply: parent discovery call → application → interview → acceptanceConnect with Yash: linkedin.com/in/yashmundada1 · yash.mundada@gmail.comExplore RISE: riseglobaleducation.comGSS Services: International School Consultinghttps://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/international-schoolsMC³ College Counseling https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/MC3-Africa2.htmlJoin GSNhttps://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/MC3-Africa2.html#highschoolresearchprogram #internationalstudentuniversityapplication #phd #phdmembership #riseglobaleducation #collegeadmissions #thirdculturekid #internationalexperience #internationalschool #democratizing #jobapplication #research #education #globalstudentvoices #schoolcounseling Coach Martin is an individual coaching service from the founder of GSS, Scott Martin. You can schedule an appointment with him right now at https://www.cloudhq.net/meeting/srmar...This video is brought to you by Global Student Solutions and My College Coach, and more information is available on the website at www.theGlobalStudentSolutions.com

    22 min
  4. S3E8 What's Next Real Answers for Global Students on Campus Life and Scholarships

    MAY 6

    S3E8 What's Next Real Answers for Global Students on Campus Life and Scholarships

    If you're a global student wondering how to navigate university abroad — where to start, how to fund it, and what it actually takes — this episode was made for you. In this debut episode of What's Next?, a new series within Global Student Voices, host Mitchell Barure takes student-submitted questions to Coach Scott R. Martin, Founder and CEO of Global Student Solutions and a globally mobile educator with 25+ years of experience in international student services.Connect with Coach Martin: Website: https://theglobalstudentsolutions.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-r-martin-coachmartin/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BdosAMahUSC6Ibu0Y3wQWTg%3D%3DGmail: srmartin@globalstudentweb.orgSubmit your question for the What's Next? series: Yes, I have the question submission link: https://forms.gle/1Sd9BRsZvkjZ1PP48Explore GSS services: International School Consulting:https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/international-schoolsMC3 College Counseling:https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/MC3-Africa2.htmlFor the GSN membership: https://www.theglobalstudentsolutions.com/MC3-Africa2.html#about#globalstudentscholarships #studyabroadprograms #africa #internationalexperience #counseling #thirdculturekid #fullyfundedscholarships #TCKhighereducation #globalstudentvoices #globaleducation #internationalstudents #internationalstudentservicesCoach Martin is an individual coaching service from the founder of GSS, Scott Martin. You can schedule an appointment with him right now at https://www.cloudhq.net/meeting/srmar...This video is brought to you by Global Student Solutions and My College Coach, and more information is available on the website at www.theGlobalStudentSolutions.com

    19 min
  5. S3 E6 Scott Martin: Guiding the Next Generation of Global Students (Part Two)

    APR 10

    S3 E6 Scott Martin: Guiding the Next Generation of Global Students (Part Two)

    Coaching, the Six Pillars, and the Africa Trip: Building GSS with Coach Scott Martin (Part 2) What does it look like to truly coach a global student — not just advise them? In Part 2 of this candid two-part interview, GSS founder and CEO Coach Scott Martin sits down with intern Aiden Chin to go inside the coaching philosophy, curriculum framework, and organizational vision that have shaped Global Student Solutions for 27 years. Coach Scott shares his Six Pillars of University Readiness — the research-backed framework that predicts whether a student will thrive or struggle at university — and explains why academics, despite dominating most school conversations, is only one of six equally important pillars. He also covers GSS's 2025 Africa trip: a week consulting with their partner school in Kenya, the AISA annual conference in Rwanda, and a pivotal visit to African Leadership University. The episode closes with Coach Scott's vision for GSS: a lifelong community for globally minded students — a home for people who have built their identity between cultures and deserve to find each other. KEYWORDS:  TCK, third culture kid, global students, university readiness, Six Pillars, international school, college counseling, AISA, Africa international schools, African Leadership University, globally mobile families, cross-cultural students, international school consultingThis video is brought to you by Global Student Solutions and My College Coach, and more information is available on the website at www.theGlobalStudentSolutions.com

    19 min
  6. S3E7 Student-Centric, Not Test-Centric with Rory Parkinson & Heather Adkins Woodland Star School

    APR 7

    S3E7 Student-Centric, Not Test-Centric with Rory Parkinson & Heather Adkins Woodland Star School

    What does it actually look like when an international school puts students — not tests — at the center of everything? Rory Parkinson and Heather Adkins from Woodland Star International School in Nairobi, Kenya, join Coach Scott Martin to pull back the curtain on one of East Africa's most distinctive learning environments. In this episode, you'll hear about Woodland Star's two-teacher-per-15-students model, their mastery-based and project-based approach, and how they're serving neurodiverse learners alongside neurotypical students on a stunning 100-acre campus — without sacrificing academic rigor. Rory Parkinson — Head of School, Woodland Star International School Linkedln-https://www.linkedin.com/in/rory-park... Heather Adkins-- Assistant Head of School, Woodland Star International School| Linkedln-https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-a... Key Topics: Why inclusive education and academic rigor aren't opposites The difference between 'learning to study' and 'learning to learn. 'How mastery-based learning works in practice at the K–12 level What globally mobile families should look for in a school ImaginEd magazine: Woodland Star's resource for school leaders worldwide. #internationalschoolNairobi #inclusiveeducation #internationalschool #thirdculturekid #culturekids #globally #mobilefamilies #tck #tckeducation #neurodivergent #internationalschool Coach Martin is providing individual coaching services from Scott Martin, the founder of GSS. You can schedule an appointment with him right now at https://www.cloudhq.net/meeting/srmar... This video is brought to you by Global Student Solutions and My College Coach, and more information is available on the website at www.theGlobalStudentSolutions.com

    27 min
  7. S3 E4 Finding Your People: How a Third Culture Kid Built Cross-Cultural Community at Purdue University

    MAR 17

    S3 E4 Finding Your People: How a Third Culture Kid Built Cross-Cultural Community at Purdue University

    What happens when a Third Culture Kid arrives at a major American university and discovers there’s no place that reflects who they really are? Evan Stonestreet—born in Beirut, raised in Saudi Arabia, and studying computer engineering at Purdue University—faced exactly that question. His answer: build the community yourself. In this episode of Global Student Voices, Coach Martin talks with Evan about co-founding the Cross-Cultural Association (CCA) at Purdue, the struggles of launching a TCK organization when your target audience doesn’t know they’re your target audience, and the breakthrough that came from weekly community nights built on a simple principle: ask people their stories and actually listen. Evan shares practical advice for students transitioning from international schools to college, for school leaders preparing graduates for life beyond campus, and for anyone who has ever struggled to answer the question “where are you from?” Topics Covered Growing up as a Third Culture Kid in Saudi Arabia’s Aramco compound. The domestic vs. international student classification gap at universities. Launching a student organization from scratch with lessons learned. The shift from TCK to CCK (Cross-Cultural Kid) terminology. Ruth Van Reken’s influence on building authentic community. Advice for TCK students, international school leaders, and globally mobile parents. About the Guest Evan Stonestreet is a senior studying computer engineering at Purdue University and co-founder of the Cross-Cultural Association (CCA). Born in Beirut and raised in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Evan brings firsthand TCK experience to his work building inclusive cross-cultural communities on campus. Connect with EvanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanstonestreet/Cross-Cultural Association: https://linktr.ee/cross_cultural_association Connect with Global Student SolutionsInternational School Consulting: www.globalstudentsolutions.comMyCareer and College Coach: www.globalstudentsolutions.com GSS Membership Network: www.globalstudentsolutions.com#crosscultural #internationalstudents #Studentorganizations, #communitybuilding #Purdueuniversity, #TCK, #CCK, #culturalheritage #Studentleadership, #globalstudentvoices

    34 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

“Global Student Voices” with Coach Martin is your bi-weekly dose of inspiration from the world of international education. Scott R. Martin, a veteran in the field, brings you heartfelt stories and practical advice from global students and experts. Dive into discussions on cross-border education, student experiences, and strategies for academic triumphs. Perfect for students, educators, and parents, this podcast is a guiding light for anyone involved in the global education journey.