The international student Diaries

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University Blog Podcast University Blog is a global podcast that brings together students from different countries, cultures, and academic backgrounds to share authentic stories, experiences, and perspectives on university life. Hosted by international students, the podcast explores topics such as studying abroad, campus life, cultural differences, personal growth, career development, student challenges, and the everyday experiences that shape the university journey. Through engaging conversations, interviews, and discussions, University Blog creates a space where students can learn from one

  1. 6d ago

    EP 13|You’re Toxic. You Need to Hear This

    You’re Toxic. You Need to Hear This. | EP. 13 How much is social media actually affecting our attention span? When does scrolling become a distraction and when is social media literally someone’s job? In Episode 13, the University Blog 360 crew gets into a heated, brutally honest conversation about social media, productivity, attention spans, pursuing your dreams, criticism, friendships, jealousy, and toxic behaviour. We start with social media. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — The conversation gets toxic immediately 😂 03:36 — Viewer disclaimer 04:23 — Is social media ruining our attention span? 05:07 — Watching movies in class... disrespectful or necessary? 06:07 — When social media completely takes your attention 07:02 — Why some of us avoid social media 08:23 — “Yes, it does” — Social media IS a distraction 09:03 — What should you do when class is boring? 10:15 — The argument takes a wrong turn 😂 11:50 — What actually counts as a distraction? 13:18 — Social media vs. productivity 14:17 — Can a temporary distraction ruin your attention span? 15:07 — The TikTok muscle-memory problem 16:05 — Can you actually control your social media use? 17:03 — “I went to buy food and ended up on TikTok” 18:50 — Social media is someone's paycheck 19:14 — Has university life reduced our concentration? 20:12 — When switching off social media costs you money 21:36 — TikTok, Instagram, X & Snapchat: the struggle 22:09 — Your position in life changes how you use social media 23:26 — When social media becomes your actual job 24:11 — Can social media still be a distraction if you need the money? 26:59 — Millennials, Gen Z & Gen Alpha: different perspectives 28:22 — Is society becoming too dependent on social media? 28:46 — What does “attention span” actually mean? 29:45 — Why notifications destroy your focus 30:26 — The boarding-school experiment 31:07 — “I finished almost three novels” 32:19 — Social media, procrastination & deadlines 34:00 — Does social media REALLY ruin your attention span? 35:07 — If you finish your work, does distraction matter? 36:04 — Different people use social media for different reasons 36:48 — The YouTube dream: money, content & ambition 38:35 — “You've been on Instagram for 10 years...” 😭 39:46 — What does attention span actually mean? 40:13 — When you're supposed to focus but something pulls you away 42:22 — Social media needs boundaries 43:00 — Can you have a system for social media? 45:15 — When multitasking becomes a problem 46:21 — African parents vs. your vision 47:06 — “Move out of my house!” 😂 48:49 — Are we judging people's productivity from the outside? 50:05 — The bigger picture nobody sees 51:07 — Why people misunderstand what you're trying to build 52:22 — It's not just parents—sometimes it's your own friends 53:04 — Surround yourself with people who understand your vision 54:23 — “People would think we're bullying her” 😂 55:06 — Positive friends vs. honest friends 55:42 — Constructive criticism vs. unnecessary criticism 56:08 — Why you sometimes need to leave your comfort zone 57:20 — “If you're my friend, I will tell you the truth.” 58:28 — Don't play victim when people criticize you 59:17 — People don't want to hear the truth 1:00:13 — Should you tell someone the truth? 1:01:15 — Would you tell your friend they're doing something wrong? 1:02:38 — Does someone's reaction determine whether you tell them the truth? 1:04:47 — Why people are afraid to give honest criticism 1:05:18 — GIRL FRIENDSHIPS 😭 1:05:54 — Why constructive criticism gets called jealousy 1:07:03 — When defending your friend goes too far 1:08:01 — Your friend made a mistake—will you tell them? 1:09:08 — Toxic friendships & jealousy 1:10:25 — When “she's my friend” becomes an excuse 1:11:07 — Friendship, manipulation & emotional pressure 1:12:30 — “I'm literally telling you the truth...” 1:13:23 — When the friendship has to end 1:14:21 — Cutting people off and moving on 1:15:04 — Friendship is NOT a relationship

    EP 13|You’re Toxic. You Need to Hear This

  2. 6d ago

    EP 12 |10 Years in China: Remy’s Journey From Kenya to Building a Life Abroad

    What does it really take to build a life, career, and sense of purpose far away from home? In this episode, we sit down with Remy, a Kenyan who has spent nearly 10 years in China, to talk about his unexpected journey from working in aviation to becoming a student, building a career, and learning how opportunities often come from the people, skills, and experiences we overlook. We explore the reality of studying and working abroad, preparing for life after university, networking, financial discipline, procrastination, relationships, personal growth, and what success actually means. Remy also shares how volunteering, sports, friendships, and simply putting yourself in the right environments opened doors he never planned for. The conversation becomes a reminder that sometimes your hobbies, talents, and connections can create opportunities you never imagined. We also get into some thought-provoking hot takes: • Are university degrees becoming less valuable compared to skills and experience? • Should you turn your passion into a career? • Is being too comfortable one of the biggest enemies of success? • How important is networking for students? • Should couples discuss their past relationships? • How does living abroad change your identity and relationship with home? This episode is for students, young professionals, international students, and anyone trying to figure out what comes next in life. Sometimes you don’t need to have everything figured out—you just need to keep learning, meeting people, developing your skills, and being open to unexpected opportunities. Watch until the end and let us know in the comments: Do you think skills and experience are becoming more valuable than a university degree? And would you rather build a career around your passion or keep passion and work separate? Subscribe for more honest conversations about university life, careers, relationships, personal growth, and life abroad. 00:00 Episode Highlights 03:17 Viewer Disclaimer 04:04 Welcome to the Episode 05:21 Getting to Know Remy 07:33 Meet Remy – 10 Years in China 08:19 From Aviation in Kenya to Studying in China 09:20 How Remy Unexpectedly Ended Up in China 12:34 His Original Dream of Becoming a Pilot 13:52 Life After Graduation 14:19 Why You Should Plan Before Graduating 16:20 Figuring Out Your Career Path 19:22 Does Speaking Chinese Help You Find Work? 20:44 Is the Dream of Becoming a Pilot Still Alive? 22:44 Looking Back After 10 Years in China 23:50 Going From Working Professional Back to Student 26:20 How Work Experience Changes Your Mindset 31:22 Where Feels More Like Home – Kenya or China? 32:49 How Living in China Changed Him 34:51 Why Family Still Sees the Old Version of You 36:11 Going Back Home After Years of Independence 38:19 Why Parents Will Always Treat You Like Their Child 42:28 How Networking Changed Remy’s Life 43:14 Advice for University Students Who Stay in Their Rooms 45:51 Why You Need to Go Out and Meet People 47:53 Turning Hobbies Into Unexpected Opportunities 50:00 Can Your Skills and Hobbies Make You Money? 52:05 Procrastination & Believing in Yourself 53:25 Sometimes You Have to Say “Yes” Before You’re Ready 54:41 How a Random Skill Created a Job Opportunity 57:13 Funny School Story & Hidden Talents 1:00:26 Money Management as a University Student 1:02:24 How to Budget Your Money 1:04:17 Is Your Current Job Related to Your Degree? 1:04:33 What Does Success Actually Mean? 1:06:36 What Should Young People Start Doing Earlier? 1:07:13 Why Being Too Comfortable Can Hold You Back 1:17:31 Living on the Edge & Trying New Experiences Watch until the end and let us know: Would you choose love if cultural differences made the relationship difficult? ❤️🌍 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more honest conversations from University Blog 360. 📩 Want to be featured on our podcast or collaborate with us? Email: UniversityBlog2020@outlook.com

    EP 12 |10 Years in China: Remy’s Journey From Kenya to Building a Life Abroad

  3. Sep 8

    EP 11: CAN LOVE SURVIVE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES?

    EPISODE 11 — LOVE, CULTURE & MODERN DATING 🌍❤️ Is international dating really about finding true love, or do convenience and circumstances play a bigger role than we admit? In Episode 11, we dive into the complicated world of modern relationships, especially when different cultures, backgrounds, and expectations come into play. From dating as an international student to cultural differences in relationships, we ask the questions people sometimes avoid. The conversation gets even deeper as we discuss whether men and women are actually looking for the same things, why highly educated women are sometimes perceived as arrogant, whether couples should discuss family expectations early in a relationship, and how social media has completely changed modern dating culture. And of course… things get chaotic 😂 We also put Saint into a difficult scenario, debate cultural barriers within Gen Z relationships, bring European TV shows into the conversation, and finish with one controversial question: After a breakup, is taking things back from your ex justified — or is it toxic? 👀 EPISODE 11 — TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — TEASER 🎬 A preview of the biggest debates, opinions, and unexpected moments from the episode. 04:30 — True Love or Convenience? 🌍❤️ For international students, are people dating for true love or simply because it is convenient? 06:30 — Ace Shares Her Answer 09:30 — Saint Shares His POV 11:30 — Tricia Shares Her POV 16:30 — Tricia Shares Her Personal Experience 19:30 — Drex Shares His Answer 23:30 — Do Cultural Differences Make Dating Harder? 23:30 — Ace’s POV 26:30 — Drex’s POV 28:30 — Saint’s Answer 30:30 — Ace Addresses Naomi & Chinese Culture 35:30 — Tricia Gives Saint a Scenario 36:30 — Saint’s Point of View 40:30 — Can Gen Z Let Cultural Differences Become a Barrier to Love? 44:30 — Drex’s POV on European TV Shows 45:30–53:30 — BANTER & CHAOS 😂 55:30 — Are Men and Women Looking for the Same Thing in a Relationship? 59:30 — Why Do People Say Highly Educated Women Tend to Be More Arrogant? 1:05:30 — Should Couples Discuss Family in the Early Stages of a Relationship? 1:15:30 — How Does Social Media Affect Dating Culture? 1:28:30 — Is Taking Things From Your Partner After a Breakup Toxic? 1:32:30 — END 🎙️ EPISODE 11 TOPICS: 00:04 — True Love or Convenience? 23:00 — Do Cultural Differences Make Dating Harder? 40:00 — Can Gen Z Overcome Cultural Barriers? 55:00 — Are Men & Women Looking for the Same Thing? 59:00 — Why Are Highly Educated Women Seen as Arrogant? 1:05:00 — Should Couples Discuss Family Early? 1:15:00 — How Social Media Changed Dating 1:28:00 — Taking Things From Your Ex After a Breakup Watch until the end and let us know: Would you choose love if cultural differences made the relationship difficult? ❤️🌍 #UB #Episode11 #Dating #Relationships #InternationalStudents #GenZ #Love #DatingCulture #CultureDifferences #SocialMedia

  4. Sep 8

    EP.10 | GREEK MYTHOLOGY: Gods, Monsters & Stories That Still Rule Us

    Greek mythology isn't just about gods throwing lightning bolts. ⚡🏛️It's a world of power, love, betrayal, revenge, monsters, heroes, and stories that somehow survived thousands of years.In EP.10, we dive into the fascinating and sometimes completely chaotic world of Greek mythology. From the gods and their questionable decisions to legendary creatures and stories that still influence movies, culture, and the way we tell stories today.Who was the most powerful god?Why are Greek myths so dark?Would you actually want to live among the Greek gods?And why are we STILL fascinated by these stories?🎙️ Welcome to EP.10 of the UB Podcast.Watch until the end and let us know: **Which Greek myth or god is your favorite?**#UBPodcast #GreekMythology #Mythology #Podcast #GreekGods #Zeus #Medusa #AncientGreece

  5. Aug 17

    EP 09 — LOVE, LABELS & COMMITMENT

    What does commitment really mean? In this episode, we get into the conversations that make relationships complicated — from whether romantic relationships should ultimately lead to marriage, to the importance of relationship labels, dating with intention, and the idea of the “right person, wrong time.” We also unpack emotional intelligence, outgrowing the people we love, what actually counts as cheating, girlfriend vs. wife privileges, and how religion, adultery, and personal values shape the way we understand relationships. No perfect answers. No script. Just different perspectives, honest opinions, and a conversation worth having. What do you think: Do relationships need a label to be real? 00:00 Teaser & Disclaimer 04:00 Host Banter & Episode Opening 05:00 Arafat Has Been MIA 10:00 Catching Up With Drex & Ace 11:00 Should Relationships Ultimately Lead to Marriage? 14:00 Labeled vs. Unlabeled Relationships 15:00 Are Relationship Labels Important? 31:00 Should People Date With Intentions? 33:00 Right Person, Wrong Time 38:00 Emotional Intelligence in Relationships 42:00 Can We Outgrow the People We Love? 47:00 What Actually Counts as Cheating? 1:00:00 Girlfriend vs. Wife Privileges Join the conversation: What makes someone a good partner? Do you believe good men still exist? Can love survive without trust and communication? 📩 Want to be featured on our podcast or collaborate with us? Email: UniversityBlog2020@outlook.com 🎬 Credits Hosts: Ace & Drex 📸 Instagram: @tha_big_drex 🎵 TikTok: @tha_big_drex 📸 Instagram: @its_eyecandie 🎵 TikTok: @ms_saada Guest: Arafat Shot by: Vanessa Edited by: Vanessa Production Assistant: Glory & Faraja #UB #UniversityBlog #UBPodcast #LoveLabelsAndCommitment #Relationships #Commitment #Dating #Love #GenZ #RealTalkRealGrowth

  6. Aug 15

    “Love, Lies & What Makes a Good Man? | EP 08”

    ❤️ EP 08: Love, Lies & What Makes a Good Man? What does it really mean to be in love? Is loving someone different from being in love with them? In this episode, we dive into the complicated world of relationships, heartbreak, loyalty, and what people truly look for in a partner. The hosts discuss: 💔 The difference between being in love and loving someone ❤️ Personal experiences with love and heartbreak 🚩 Red flags and qualities of a good partner 👀 Does appearance matter in relationships? 🤝 Would you ever date your best friend? 💍 Are marriage vows still meaningful today? 🧠 Men’s mental health and why expressing emotions matters ⚖️ Equality vs equity in relationships 💉 Plastic surgery, beauty standards, and self-image 🕴️ What truly makes someone a gentleman? 💔 Why do people become unfaithful? This episode explores the questions many people think about but rarely discuss openly. 00:00 – 03:00 🎬 Disclaimer & Episode Teaser 03:00 – 05:00🎙️ Intro & Random Discussion 05:00 – 07:00😂 Drex Complains They Never Finish Conversations in Each Episode 07:00 – 11:00❤️ What Is the Difference Between Being in Love and Loving Someone? 11:00 – 12:00💭 Ace Asks Gee If She Has Ever Been in Love 12:00 – 13:00🚩 Gee Gives Her Perspective: “Are Men Trash?” 13:00 – 15:00❤️‍🔥 What Does Experiencing Love Really Feel Like? 15:00 – 17:00💔 Saint Shares Her Heartbreak Experience 17:00 – 21:00💘 Being Stuck on Your Type: Should You Give Someone Different a Chance? 21:00 – 23:00✨ Qualities of a Good Guy 23:00 – 30:00👀 Does Appearance Matter in a Relationship? 30:00 – 33:00🤝 Ace Says He Would Never Date His Best Friend 33:00 – 35:00💍 Marriage Vows: Do They Still Matter? 35:00 – 38:00👬 Drex Talks About His 15-Year Friendship With His Best Friend 38:00 – 39:00💬 Should Vows Become a Series? 39:00 – 46:00🧠 Men & Mental Health 46:00 – 53:00❤️ Drex Explains How Men Should Express Their Feelings 53:00 – 1:01:00⚖️ Equality vs Equity: What Is the Difference? 1:01:00 – 1:30:00 💉 Plastic Surgery: Self-Love or Pressure From Society? 1:30:00 – 1:35:00🕴️ What Makes Someone a Gentleman? 1:35:00 – 1:39:00⚖️ Double Standards Between Men and Women 1:39:00 – 1:45:00💔 What Makes a Man Unfaithful? Join the conversation: What makes someone a good partner? Do you believe good men still exist? Can love survive without trust and communication? 📩 Want to be featured on our podcast or collaborate with us? Email: UniversityBlog2020@outlook.com 🎬 Credits Hosts: Ace & Drex 📸 Instagram: @tha_big_drex 🎵 TikTok: @tha_big_drex 📸 Instagram: @its_eyecandie 🎵 TikTok: @ms_saada Guest: Saint &Gee Shot by: Vanessa Edited by: Vanessa Production Assistant: Glory & Faraja 🎙️ Welcome to UniBlog360 — where students, stories, and real conversations connect. #UniBlog360 #Podcast #Relationships #Love #MentalHealth #moderndating

  7. Aug 3

    EP. 07 The Truth About Love, Therapy & Modern Relationships | University Blog 360 Podcast

    ❤️ The Truth About Love, Therapy & Modern Relationships | University Blog 360 Podcast EP. 07 Can therapy save a relationship? Is love enough to make a relationship last? In this episode of University Blog 360, we dive into one of the most honest conversations about love, therapy, dating, communication, and modern relationships. Our guests share different perspectives on seeking therapy, emotional healing, commitment, trust, and how today's dating culture has changed relationships. Whether you're single, dating, or in a long-term relationship, this discussion offers thought-provoking insights that many people can relate to. 🎙️ In this episode, we discuss: ❤️ The truth about modern love 🧠 Is therapy worth it? 💬 Communication in relationships 💔 Why relationships fail 🤝 Trust, commitment & emotional maturity 🌍 Different cultural perspectives on dating and relationships 🎓 Real experiences from international students ⏱️ Chapters 00:04 trailer 00:00 – Guest Introduction 06:00 – Football Discussion 10:00 – Do You Believe in Therapy? Ace shares the reason behind asking the question. 12:00 – Guests Share Their Thoughts on Therapy 14:00 – Would Luig Ever Go to Therapy? 16:00 – Drex Responds to Luig's Answer 17:00 – Drex Opens Up About His First Heartbreak 22:00 – What Does a Relationship Mean at This Stage of Your Life? 28:00 – How Would You Know You've Found the Love of Your Life? 31:00 – Have You Ever Met an Emotionally Manipulative Person? 33:00 – Aya Explains What Relationships Mean to Her 39:00 – As a Man, Would You Be Scared if a Woman Was Ready to Give You Everything? 43:00 – Can Men Truly Fall in Love Only Once? 45:00 – "Love Is Stupid" – Agree or Disagree? 53:00 – Our Take on Arranged Marriages 58:00 – Is It Okay to Talk to Your Ex While in a New Relationship? 1:01:00 – Is Love a Feeling, a Choice, or Both? 1:04:00 – Does Timing Matter More Than Love? 1:10:00 – Do People Seek Love Because They Lack Self-Love? 1:15:00 – Is Love Alone Ever Enough to Sustain a Relationship? 1:19:00 – Can a Relationship Survive Without Physical Intimacy? 1:30:00 – Do Women Date Men for Their Potential? 1:42:00 – Is Family the Foundation of How We Love Our Partners? 1:54:00 – Jonasi Joins the Conversation 💬 Join the conversation: Do you believe therapy can improve relationships? Share your thoughts in the comments! 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more honest conversations from University Blog 360. 📩 Want to be featured on our podcast or collaborate with us? Email: UniversityBlog2020@outlook.com 🎧 Listen on: 🍎 Apple Podcasts 🎵 Spotify 🎬 Credits Hosts: Ace & Drex Guest: Luig &Aya Shot by: Vanessa Edited by: Vanessa Production: Glory & Faraja Follow University Blog 360 for more conversations about student life, relationships, culture, education, and personal growth. #UniversityBlog360 #Podcast #Love #Relationships #Therapy #Dating #MentalHealth #ModernRelationships #Communication #StudentPodcast #RelationshipAdvice #InternationalStudents #personalgrowth

    EP. 07 The Truth About Love, Therapy & Modern Relationships | University Blog 360 Podcast

  8. Jul 27

    The Truth About Music, Love & The Industry | Patrick Shares His Story | EP. 06

    🎙️ EPISODE 06 | Music, Passion & Connection Music is more than entertainment it's passion, creativity, storytelling, and connection. In this episode, we sit down with Patrick to discuss the journey of becoming an artist, creating music, navigating the music industry, relationships, rejection, and the different genres that shape today's sound. Patrick also gives us a special live performance of one of his songs! 00:00 – 🎬 EP. 06 Teaser | Music, Passion & Real Conversations 06:32 – 🎙️ Welcome to Episode 6 07:30 – 🎉 Drex's Birthday + Meet Today's Guest, Patrick 07:31 – 🎤 Who Is Patrick? The Artist Behind the Music 09:32 – 😂 Accents, Cultures & Funny First Impressions 11:32 – 🎵 Patrick's Story Begins... 15:32 – 🌟 Hidden Talents: Is Everyone Born With One? 19:32 – ❤️ Patrick Opens Up About His Love for Music 21:32 – 🎼 The Art of Creating Music From Scratch 22:32 – 💔 Drex Reveals the Girl Who Inspired His First Song 27:32 – ✍️ Patrick Shares How His Music Journey Started 30:32 – 💘 First Love, Crushes & Young Relationships 35:32 – 😅 Drex Talks About His First Relationship 39:32 – 🇲🇼 Inside Malawi's Music Industry 41:32 – 🌍 Is the Music Industry Really Fair? 47:32 – 🚪 Rejection, Failure & Why Artists Must Keep Going 54:32 – 🎧 Different Genres of Music: What Defines Great Sound? 1:02:32 – 🎨 The Secret Behind Crafting Timeless Music 1:50:32 – 🎙️ LIVE PERFORMANCE: Patrick Performs His Original Song

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University Blog Podcast University Blog is a global podcast that brings together students from different countries, cultures, and academic backgrounds to share authentic stories, experiences, and perspectives on university life. Hosted by international students, the podcast explores topics such as studying abroad, campus life, cultural differences, personal growth, career development, student challenges, and the everyday experiences that shape the university journey. Through engaging conversations, interviews, and discussions, University Blog creates a space where students can learn from one

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