International Student-Athlete Podcast
The International Student-Athlete Podcast gives voice and a platform to international student-athletes in the United States. It shares stories, exchanges advice, and provides insights to make the college journey more manageable, rewarding, and empowering. Through honest conversations and practical guidance, it supports international student-athletes in navigating academics, athletics, and life away from home. The podcast aims to build a connected community where experiences are celebrated and challenges become opportunities.
Episodes
#26 - From Australia to Kansas: Izzy’s Freshman Mindset - Staying Grounded, Growing Daily
Izzy is only a few months into her journey as an international student-athlete, but her mindset is already setting her apart.After arriving from Australia in January 2026, she joined the University of Kansas rowing team with a clear understanding: there’s a lot to learn, and growth takes time. Instead of rushing the process, Izzy embraces a day-by-day approach: staying grounded, realistic, and ful
#25 - From Player to Advocate: Sofia Hiort-Wright on Thriving Beyond the Game
What does it really take for international student-athletes to thrive?Dr. Sofia Hiort-Wright - a former Swedish national-team tennis player and international tennis student-athlete at VCU, and now VCU’s Deputy Director of Athletics - shares insights on cultural adaptation, mental health, and the changing landscape of college athletics in the NIL era.In this conversation, listeners will gain insigh
#24 - From Small Town to International Volleyball Star: Rupia Inck's Journey
In this inspiring interview, Rupia Inck shares her journey from a small town in Brazil to playing professional volleyball across the world, highlighting the importance of mindset, self-talk, and resilience. Discover how her experiences shaped her passion for sports psychology and her plans to help athletes unlock their full potential.Key topicsTransition from college to professional sportsImpact o
#23 - Tim Bryson on Purpose, Policy & Shaping College Athletics Globally
Timothy Ford Bryson - Founder & CEO of Walk With TFB and Student-Athlete Career Preparedness and Alumni Mentorship Coach at Stanford University, joins us to unpack what it really means to support international student-athletes beyond recruitment.Through his work consulting athletes, universities, and brands on international athlete development, internationalization strategy, and NIL education,
#22 - Kim Marsh on Navigating Your First Steps as an International Student
What does it really take to successfully begin your journey in the U.S. as an international student? In this episode, Barbora sits down with Kim Marsh, a former International Student Services Coordinator at Jacksonville University, to go beyond acceptance letters and break down the real strategy behind admissions, decision-making, and adjusting to campus life. This conversation is a clear, practic
#21 - The Championship Mentality with Oliveira Neto: Lessons from a 5x Olympian
What does it take to reach the Olympic stage — not once, but five times — and win gold at the 2024 Paris Games? In this episode, I sit down with a volleyball coach who has competed in five Olympic Games with Brazilian National Team and most recently won a gold medal in Paris. We dive into the mindset required to perform at the highest level, what separates good athletes from great ones, and the ke
#20 - Atina Kamasi: Dream Big and Pivot Smart
In this episode, Atina Kamasi shares her journey from Serbia to the U.S. as an international student-athlete, opening up about the challenges of injuries, identity beyond sport, and adapting to life far from home. She talks about the importance of faith, making smart pivots instead of stubborn choices, and planning early for life after athletics. Together, we discuss building community, using avai
#19 - Maira Ogata Returns: Missing Home but Chasing Dreams
Maira is back on our channel!In this episode, we welcome back Maira Ogata, a mental performance coach and soccer/goalkeeper coach.We dive into the challenges of returning to the United States after the Christmas break and why expecting the return to feel easier than prior times is often unrealistic. Getting back into your routine—and back on track toward your goals—requires intention and, most im
#18 - More Than Hockey: Embracing the Unknown with Marek Korencik
At just 15 years old, Marek Korencik left Slovakia, taking a leap that would change both his hockey career and his life. What followed was a journey through new countries, new languages, and new challenges — from adapting to life in Sweden to balancing academics and hockey in the NCAA, and eventually stepping into the professional game. In this episode, Marek reflects on embracing the unknown, tak
#17 - All Things Coaching International Student-Athletes with Suzana Andrade
In this episode, we welcome back Suzana Andrade for a powerful conversation on the coaching experience of international student-athletes and what it truly takes to build healthy, sustainable coach–athlete relationships. Drawing from her perspective as a Division II head coach, Suzana shares practical insights on supporting athletes through cultural transitions, fostering trust, and creating an env
Guest #16 - A Journey from Local Courts to D1 Arenas with Konstantina Mantziori
In this podcast episode, we dig into the inspiring journey of Konstantina Mantziori, a talented basketball player from Greece who made the bold decision to pursue her dreams in the United States. From navigating the challenges of high school basketball to thriving in college athletics, Konstantina's story is a testament to determination and resilience.Konstantina's journey is a remarkabl
#15 - How You Can Set Yourself Up to Win
In this solo episode, Barbora breaks down the four themes that keep showing up in conversations with international student-athletes: doing your research, using your resources, knowing your priorities, and planning strategically. Whether you're already in the U.S. or dreaming of earning a scholarship abroad, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to navigate the journey.Support the
Guest #14 - Finding Yourself in the US with Marta Rossenova
In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Marta, an international student-athlete from Bulgaria, who is currently a senior at Rollins College and a player on the volleyball team. Marta shares her experiences of moving to the US, the challenges she faced adapting to a new culture, and her unique approach to the college recruiting process. From her early days in Bulgaria to her current
Guest #13 – The Power of Priorities with Flaubert Akepeu: Balancing Chemical Engineering, D1 Football, and Frat Life
Can you imagine walking across your college campus and being approached by a coach who changes the course of your life? That’s how Flaubert Akepeu’s football journey began at the University of South Florida. Originally from Brazil, Flaubert first came to the U.S. to play basketball in high school before later transitioning to football in college. In this episode, Barbora sits down with him to expl
Guest #12 - Maximizing Your Mental Performance with Maira Ogata
In this episode, we’re joined by Maira Ogata, a Mental Performance professional and soccer coach, who shares insightful and practical tips on how student-athletes can take care of themselves both mentally and emotionally. Drawing from her own experience, Maira discusses the common challenges student-athletes face, how to overcome them, and ways to set yourself up for success—all while enjoying the
Guest #11 - Lyndsay Michel
In this episode, we are joined by Lyndsay Michel, Head Volleyball Coach at Indian Hills Community College, to talk all things recruiting. She shares valuable tips for both international and domestic athletes, insights on navigating transfers, and how a diverse team helps players grow on and off the court. If you’re looking to play at the next level, this conversation is packed with advice you won’
Guest #10 – Academic Success with Andy Heston: Seizing the Opportunities in Front of You
In this episode, we sit down with Andy Heston, Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services at Jacksonville University, a NCAA Division I program in Florida. With years of experience supporting student-athletes, Andy has been instrumental in helping them not only succeed academically but also make the most of their overall college journey.Andy shares valuable insights specifically for
Guest #9 - Anja Kujundžić
Anja, a junior libero from Serbia, has inspired many by taking a leap of faith and building her path from a small hometown to playing Division I volleyball at the University of Texas. She shares her recruiting journey, the challenges of transferring through the NCAA transfer portal, and the cultural adjustments that came with studying and competing in the US. Anja also opens up about her mental he
Guest #8 - Where Opportunity Meets Commitment with Emma Heikkilä
In this episode, we introduce Emma Heikkilä, a former soccer student-athlete from Finland! Emma shares her story of how playing for her national team led her to be spotted by an American coach and ultimately brought her to the U.S. She also talks about how committing to her team and persevering through both the highs and lows paid off when, in her final year, she and her teammates made school hist
Guest #7 - Suzana Andrade
Suzana, a former indoor and sand volleyball student-athlete, has inspired many by leading through example and sharing her journey from high school to junior college and eventually to a Division I university. Now serving as a Division II sand volleyball head coach, Suzana walked us through her favorite memories, the struggles she faced, and the academic challenges turned into lessons. She also shar
New Podcast Co-host & Flipping the Script
Welcome to a new chapter of the International Student-Athlete Podcast! By starting a new series of episodes, I have the pleasure of introducing Nikoleta Kandić, a previous guest of this podcast and a good friend, as a new co-host of this podcast! As a start, we flip the script and Niki interviews me! We talk about my journey, what made me start this podcast, and how all the dots connect in hindsig
Guest #6 - Denis Petro
In this episode, I chat with Denis Petro, a former international soccer student-athlete from Slovakia. He talks about what it was like coming to the U.S. for college, how he balanced school and sport, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what he does as a young professional. Denis shares helpful advice for international student-athletes, including tips on preparing before you arrive, connec
Guest #5 - Stepping Into Leadership with Lana Tererina
In this episode, Barbora sits down with Lana Tererina to talk about her journey from Sweden to earning a college scholarship in the U.S. Lana shares insights on adapting to life as an international student-athlete, navigating cultural shifts, and stepping into leadership roles.You can also learn about Lana’s transition to post-grad life, her experience with the NCAA internship, and her upcoming Ma
Guest #4 - Growing Through the Transition with Nikoleta Kandić
What a great conversation with Nikoleta Kandić, a former volleyball student-athlete from Belgrade, Serbia! Niki shares her inspiring story of coming to the U.S. as a high schooler, overcoming language barriers, and navigating college life. We also dive into the reality of adjusting to life after college sports, building friendships, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Throughout the episo
Reflecting on Grad School
In this episode, I reflect on my journey as a grad student and generally these past 2 years. I open up about overcoming perfectionism, and the challenges and growth. I also dive into the importance of building genuine relationships, managing time wisely, and leaning on faith through uncertain times. As I face the unknown after graduation, I share lessons on setting boundaries, staying positive, an
Life After College Sports
As a wise person once said to me, transitions are messy. As you gear up for the post-college chapter of your life, I want to share some insights that may help you in contemplating your path before you're in a hot seat. It's not really about having everything meticulously planned out, but rather about cultivating a strategic mindset and a game plan that can smoothly guide you into the com
Guest #3 - Adam Holomoucky
I had the pleasure of talking to a remarkable individual, a long-time friend, Adam Holomoucky. Adam is not just an exceptional athlete but a lifelong student with a passion for studying human nature, marketing, and business. Originally from Czech Republic, he's currently an international triathlete pursuing an MBA at Queens University in North Carolina. Join us as we explore Adam's pat
Embracing The Journey
As much as I don't want to admit it, it's been a crazy ride! Heading onto my 6th year in the US, achieving academic, athletic, and professional success, and becoming a little better human being, are things I don't take much time to pause and reflect on. With a podcast sharing the stories of international students, I wanted to share a bit of my ups and downs, which can help you guys
Guest #2 - Sigourney Kame
Hi everyone! A new episode as promised! This time I had the fantastic opportunity to talk with Sigourney Kame, a former international volleyball student-athlete from Suriname. Sigourney had not only succeeded as an athlete, but also as a student, and a community member. She also had the privilege to represent Suriname as the Women's Volleyball National Team member since she was 13 years old.
Comeback!
International Student-Athlete Podcast is back! I shared a quick update about some life updates and what is coming up with the pod! Chime in!Support the show
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