How does living with bipolar disorder impact your education and daily life? In this week’s episode, we have an open and heartfelt conversation with Anton from Java about his personal journey with mental health. Anton was diagnosed with bipolar disorder while still in school, following the tragic loss of his two year old brother Hooda, to cancer. He shares the deep bond he had with Hooda and how that loss shaped his life. Anton describes the challenges of navigating both depressive and m...

"Trust Your Wings" is the advice given to this week’s guest, Anjalee. Born in Sri Lanka, she grew up with a mother who always encouraged her to choose her own path. After completing her degree in Information Technology, she followed that advice all the way to Ireland, where she is now pursuing a Master’s in Digital Media. In this week’s podcast, we explore the jewel of the Indian Ocean and hear Anjalee’s story. She speaks passionately about student life in Sri Lanka and how inspiring her univ...

What do you do when what you want to learn simply isn’t available to you? In this episode, we travel to Brazil to meet Leticia, a passionate language learner, English teacher, and online university student currently completing a BA in Administration, English, and Portuguese. Leticia brings to life a colourful portrait of Brazil, sharing stories of traditional festivals, delicious regional foods, and the warmth of growing up in a close-knit, multigenerational household where grandparents pass ...

In Russia, all men between the ages of 18 and 30 can be called up to serve in the army for a year, unless they are studying or in specific lines of work. In this week’s podcast I speak to Ivan and Polina both from Russia but studying away in Spain and Bulgaria. Ivan is of the age where he could be drafted, this was one of the reasons he, like many others, have moved away. His friends back home who are in University are worried about what might happen when they finish their studies. Pol...

How will your choice of study effect change? In this episode we go to India and speak to Nila from Calcutta and Abhishek from New Delhi. Both talk about their country’s rich culture but also how different the place is, from language to food, religion to politics and study culture. Nila is studying English Literature, and she would like to focus on Queer Studies, giving a voice to the minorities, be it race, sex or cast. Abhishek is currently doing a PHD in cancer research in Ireland loo...

What happens if you become seriously ill while studying abroad? In this week’s podcast we speak to Yuvander, from Indonesia but while studying in the UK was rushed to hospital with a major brain injury. We talk about the support he got from his university and how friends can step in to help in the interim. We also speak to Mei-Si, who is from Singapore and study locally. She has no desire to work abroad and is happy in her own community. Both are training in the health sector, Yuvander ...

For many students, choosing a career path can depend on how much you love it, how much money you earn and where you can work. In Mexico, students also have to consider how safe it is. Mexico is one of the most dangerous places to be a journalist and a lawyer, with over 150 journalists killed since 1994. In today’s podcast we speak to students Frida and Renee, who both wanted to work in these fields. Frida is in her final year studying law and Renee is halfway through a degre...

Deciding if University is for you is a big decision but in Switzerland you must make that choice at the age of 12! Also, most jobs in the country require a level of study to get into them. In this episode we hear from two friends, Lara and Enya. Lara is training to be a teacher, and Enya is studying geography but is still unsure of what she wants out of it. They both live in the northeastern part of the country near the border with Hungary, Lara studies locally but Enya’s University is...

Have you ever wondered if University in the USA is exactly like the movies? In the first episode of a brand new series of Student Life Unplugged, we find out! This week we speak to twin sisters Liz and Maddie who are in their final year studying Multimedia Communications at Marywood University in Pennsylvania. As well as full time students, Maddie and Liz present a very successful podcast and multimedia platform called ‘Courageously Kind’ highlighting good news and encouraging people to, ...

Is university my only option? What happens if I don’t get into uni? In this episode, we go to the UK and speak to Harrison and Ivy, who are both studying A-levels. A-levels are the final two years of study after formal education. They allow a certain freedom where students pick specific subjects and independent study is encouraged. Harrison wants to study business and is certain university is for him. Ivy will follow the music path but is so far unsure of her route. Although very different, t...

Will taking a gap year impact my studies? Are gap years the best thing to do? What should I do in my gap year? In this episode Leong speaks to Bel, Tiffany, Ryan, and May Ann, who are all members of his extended family. Bel and Tiff are sisters living in Perth, Australia, May Ann is in Singapore and Ryan is living in Malaysia and applying to study in the US. In this episode they talk about the pros and cons of taking a gap year, why it worked for some of them but why others are totally ...

Should I consider studying abroad? What are the benefits of studying abroad? Is studying abroad worth it? Diana and Kristine are from Georgia (the country) but decided to go abroad to study and are living in Hungary and Italy. Diana is studying media and communications in Budapest but wants to use her knowledge and experience of other countries to change the education system back home. Kristine is a journalist and is doing a master’s in international relations in Bologna. He...

Studying in a different country can be challenging but when the language is totally foreign, it can present huge difficulties. Nica and Jerica are both from the Philippines but are studying in Japan. Nica moved there with her family when she was still in school, Jerica chose to go there as part of her university's foreign exchange programme. Japan for both of them was a childhood dream. In this episode, they talk about the difference in culture compared to The Philipp...

Whether you are moving away to study or going to your local college the one thing you will all have in common is making new friends. This change in social situations can be exciting but also nerve wrecking. Will it be easy to make new friends? Will they like me for who I am? Will I have to change? In this episode we hear from Hans, Al and Chern Han, who are cousins from Leong’s extended family and living across the world. In this episode they talk about student life in Malaysia, United ...

Will my life change when I leave school? Will I lose my friends? Is University really difficult? These are some of the questions many students in their final years of school ask. The move from school to university can be very daunting, full of excitement but also worry. In this episode we look at this transition and speak to Ella and Leila who are making this move. Ella has finished her final exams in Ireland and is waiting on her results, Leila is going into her last year studyin...

Student Life Unplugged is a brand new podcast series where young people from around the world share their experiences in navigating student life. From Europe to Japan, Australia to Malaysia, young people exchange experiences and offer advice to each other on all aspects of their lives. In this series we uncover where the pressure to achieve actually comes from, how important family is during these crucial years and why this next step, as daunting and scary as it can be, can also be exhi...