Content warning: The following episode discusses suicide and suicidality which I know can be distressing. If you want to avoid this content, skip this episode and join us again on the next episode of Journey Abroad. If you need support, I have added suicide crisis lines for as many countries as possible below. In loving memory of my partner and best friend, Justin Supernault. Suicide helplines worldwide: Argentina: 135  Australia: 131114  Austria: 142 Bangladesh: 999 (Emergency)  Belgium:...

In this week's episode, I chat with Idai Makoni about her experience abroad. Idai shares how she learned that she is more of a city girl than a small-town girl. A large part of this episode discusses both my and Idai's hair journeys through our lives, but also while living abroad. We talk about hair maintenance, assessing our relationships with our hair, and finally, Idai rounds off the conversation with some hair-related tips and tricks.  Idai completed her International Baccalaureate at...

In this week's episode, I chat with Mutsa Makufa, host of The Forest Brothers Podcast. If you have not yet had the chance to check out that particular episode, or The Forest Brothers podcast, definitely do so. Mutsa shares his nomadic journey from Zimbabwe, where he grew up to Indiana where he currently is. A large part of this episode covers his recent trip back home to the Kingdom of Eswatini. We talk about the chaotic flight back and his reflections on being back home as an adult. Having...

In this episode, Diana shares her experience moving from Senegal to South Africa, then to Indiana, USA, and finally to Utah, USA, where she currently lives. She talks about the difference in experiences between moving to a place where she was surrounded by other Africans and moving to a place where she was one of few. She also talks about rethinking self-care, especially when self-care is highly commodified.  Diana completed her A-levels at the African Leadership Academy in South Africa....

In this episode, Olayemi shares her experience moving abroad, not once, but twice! Her journey starts in Nigeria, then takes her first to Bristol in England, then to Montreal, QC, in Canada. We discuss the challenges she faced having to start afresh multiple times, including having to learn French in Canada. Olayemi highlights the importance of having a community to support you as you navigate life in your new home.  Olayemi studied biomedical sciences at the University of the West of...

Journey Abroad is BACK after a brief hiatus. I finally got the opportunity to go back home to Botswana! I used this trip to fully disconnect from my responsibilities, including the podcast. It was a much-needed break. If you've been following the podcast and following me on social media, you know how eager I have been for my trip back home. In this episode, I share my experience going home after 4 years, the differences in culture that I noticed, and my thoughts and reflections now that I am...

Our mindset matters. How we go into a space or situation can shape our experience. In this episode, Chazha Seboni gives us ways in which her mindset shaped her reality abroad, especially in terms of adapting to change and making friends. We talk about Chazha’s journey from Botswana to Ohio in the US, where she is currently studying. Other things that come up in this episode are the benefits of being at a small institution, how to make meditation a habit, and working while studying,...

I collaborated with The Forest Brothers Podcast in this bonus episode to discuss life abroad. We talk about their respective journeys, applying for colleges, the pros and cons of studying in various countries and their experience, in general, being abroad, including the weird questions Africans in the diaspora get asked. About the brothers: All three of the brothers completed their International Baccalaureate at Waterford Kamhlaba UWC in Eswatini. They then did their undergraduate degrees...

You made it to the end of the year! The holiday time can be an exciting time, but it can also be stressful for students living abroad. In this final episode of 2022(!) I share my experience spending the holiday season abroad, and things that I have learnt over the years.  Thank you for your continued support with this podcast! Happy holidays to you and your loved ones! Until 2023, byeeeee.   Connect with Refilwe: Twitter: @fee_mpai Instagram: @freespirit_fee LinkedIn: Refilwe Mpai Journey...

Curious about what it is like to pursue a PhD? In this week's episode, I chat with PhD candidate in molecular biology, Ibi Max-Harry. Ibi, a native of Nigeria, talks about her journey through undergrad which she pursued in Ghana, and how that led to her deciding to apply for PhD programs in the United States of America. She talks about the culture shock she experienced moving to Ohio, and what doing a PhD has been like for her. Ibi completed a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering at...

In this week's episode, I chat with Dr Tshegofatso Ghanie about her experience pursuing a medical degree in Grenada. She shares her experience applying to and surviving medical school. We discuss her adjustment to life in Grenada, including flying alone for the first time. Dr Ghanie also shares her experience seeking help for her mental health during her degree.  Tshego was born and raised in Botswana.  She completed her pre-med and medical training at St George's University on the island...

Happy November! As beautiful as fall is, it is usually a period of increased anxiety for me; largely anticipatory anxiety for the long cold winter ahead. In this week's episode, I talk about the ways in which I have been trying to make the most of the fall season and how I am preparing for winter. Episode notes: The humidifier I use: ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser 400ML  Therapy lamp: Verilux® HappyLight® Lucent - UV-free LED Light Therapy Lamp (Note: This isn't the same lamp I ordered, but...

In this week's episode, I chat with biology and English literature student, Temmy Mthethwa. We talk about Temmy’s experience moving to Montreal in Canada. She also shares her experience living in residence at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, where she was forced to book a last-minute flight back home. Finally, she talks about immigration struggles - something most international students can relate to.  Temmy is from the  Kingdom of Eswatini.  She completed her International Baccalaureate...

In this week's episode, I chat about the importance of celebrating success, ways we can go about celebrating success, and strategies for how I respond to failure. Connect with Refilwe: Twitter: @fee_mpai Instagram: @freespirit_fee LinkedIn: Refilwe Mpai Journey Abroad on Twitter: @journeyabroad_ Journey Abroad on Instagram: @journeyabroad_podcast Music by:  John_Sib from Pixabay 

In this week's episode, I chat with media specialist and artist, Freddy Detchou, aka Super Freddy. We chat about Freddy’s journey abroad to various countries including Canada where he currently resides. We discuss the language conflict in Cameroon, his home country, how he pivoted fields between undergraduate and graduate studies, and how he got started making music. Finally, Freddy reminds us of the importance of slowing down as a form of self-care.  Freddy was born in Canada to...

Welcome back to Journey Abroad, the show that highlights Africans studying and living abroad, their experiences, as well as tips and tricks on how to thrive in new environments. In this first episode of season 2, Refilwe Mpai shares her thoughts, feelings, and hopes for the new school year. She also shares her experience transitioning from the master's program to the PhD program. Podcast features: STEMing from Africa: Ep 9: Exploring neuroscience and navigating new countries The...

In this week's episode, I chat with Stanford graduate and early childhood educator, Marothodi Ntseane. We chat about her adjustment to moving to Massachusetts, and later to California, in the United States. We also talk about the factors that led to her taking a gap year during her undergraduate degree and the steps she took to make it happen. Marothodi reminds us of the importance of choosing you and following your own path. Marothodi was born in the United States to Batswana parents and...

In this week's episode, I chat with mechatronics and robotics student, Katlego Kgosibodiba. We chat about his adjustment to life in Russia, including how he went about learning the language. He also shares the things he has come to enjoy about the country, including its variety in landscapes, culture, and climate. We further talk about his interests outside school which include photography, running a YouTube page as The Soul Engineer, and hosting two podcasts, Engineered Thoughts and The...

In this week's episode, I chat with PhD student in chemistry, Sandile Mtetwa. She shares how she got into research, what lead to her decision to pursue graduate studies abroad, and what she is working on in her PhD.  We also talk about the organizations she has helped create: Simuka-Arise which is a Zimbabwe-based organization that advocates for young women's empowerment academically, economically and socially, as well as Africans in STEM which highlights scientific contributions by Africans...

In this week's episode, I chat MSc student in Neuroscience, Ifeoluwa Adedipe. She shares her love for neuroscience, how she got into this field, and her experience doing her master's in a foreign language. We also talk about the organizations she is a part of, Black in Neuro, a community that celebrates and empowers Black scholars and professionals in neuroscience-related fields, and Black Women Support Network, a community for the empowerment and upliftment of Black women in Canada. Ife was...

In this week's episode, I chat with mental health researcher, Tara Tumelo Bogatsu. She shares how intuition led her to Birmingham and further kept her there.  Despite feeling a pull towards Birmingham, the adjustment to this new home was by no means easy. She deep dives into how challenging moving abroad is, especially if the culture you come from has a strong emphasis on community.  We further discuss the work she has done looking at psychosis in Black and Asian folks, her intentional...

In this week's episode, I chat with digital marketing and content specialist, and author, Samukele Ncube about her experience moving from her home country, Zimbabwe, to Canada. We further discuss her book of poetry, Things You Need to Hear Most, which is rooted in self-love. She shares her motivations behind this work and the process of bringing it to fruition.   Samukele was born and raised in Zimbabwe and lived in Botswana for a few years. She moved to Canada for university where she...

In this week's episode, I chat with final year student, Trevor Lwere. We talk about his experience moving to South Bend, Indiana, USA. Trevor mentions the healthy habits he is trying to adopt, the challenges he faced while adapting to life in the US, as well as his role as the previous president of the African Students' Association at the University of Notre Dame. Before beginning his tertiary education, Trevor studied at the African Leadership Academy in Roodepoort, South Africa. He then...

Who says going abroad solely means going overseas? In this episode, Onalenna Sebetlela shares her experience moving from Botswana to South Africa for university. She talks about how she rescinded her applications to American universities to study at the University of Cape Town and how that was the change of environment she was looking for. She further talks about the importance of defining success for yourself and using that to pave your personal journey. Onalenna earned a Bachelor's degree...