S4 E4 - Losing our USA Work Authorization ft. Excel Chukwurah, T/PgM at Google
Explicit content warning
08/17/24 • 115 min
Hi guys,
I'm back with yet another episode featuring one of my best guys, Excel Chukwurah! "A friend, a colleague and a brother", we've spent the last two years making the best of our work & personal lives in New York City since we both moved here from Chicago and Ithaca, NY. Sadly, Excel & I will be temporarily saying goodbye to the US as we will be moving abroad to keep our jobs and maintain legal status of our US immigration. In this episode, we reminisce about our individual journey(s) to the US, dealing with shitty work situations, and all the fun memories we made while living in New York City. We also "schpiel" the tea of our new work locations/countries and options to consider when at a risk of losing your work authorization as a US non-immigrant. Fun-fact: One of us will be moving to another country in the Americas while the other will be moving to a country in Europe. Can you guess who?! It's definitely an episode of mixed feelings, bitter-sweet emotions and happy nostalgia of our time in the US so far. We had so much fun recording this and we hope you have as much fun listening. Lastly, if you have any well-wishes, advice or tips to share for moving to a new country, please send them via the 'Fan note' link and be rest assured that it is received with gratitude.
Tasty Bagels & Crusty Pizzas, from NYC,
Tolu & Excel
Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you!
Hi guys,
I'm back with yet another episode featuring one of my best guys, Excel Chukwurah! "A friend, a colleague and a brother", we've spent the last two years making the best of our work & personal lives in New York City since we both moved here from Chicago and Ithaca, NY. Sadly, Excel & I will be temporarily saying goodbye to the US as we will be moving abroad to keep our jobs and maintain legal status of our US immigration. In this episode, we reminisce about our individual journey(s) to the US, dealing with shitty work situations, and all the fun memories we made while living in New York City. We also "schpiel" the tea of our new work locations/countries and options to consider when at a risk of losing your work authorization as a US non-immigrant. Fun-fact: One of us will be moving to another country in the Americas while the other will be moving to a country in Europe. Can you guess who?! It's definitely an episode of mixed feelings, bitter-sweet emotions and happy nostalgia of our time in the US so far. We had so much fun recording this and we hope you have as much fun listening. Lastly, if you have any well-wishes, advice or tips to share for moving to a new country, please send them via the 'Fan note' link and be rest assured that it is received with gratitude.
Tasty Bagels & Crusty Pizzas, from NYC,
Tolu & Excel
Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you!
Previous Episode
S4 E3 - Bagging a PhD Degree in Chemical Engineering after 5 years featuring Dr. Pearl Abue, University of Austin, Texas
HELLLLOOOO GOOD PEOPLE! Yes, yes, I have missed you too.
How have you been? I hope you have been keeping well. If I tell you all that has happened to me within the past three months since you last heard from me here, you would not believe! So many changes! I didn't know Season 4 of my life in the US would hit this hard! I'm now in a state of perpetual embrace brothers & sisters; God told no lies when he said to get ready! For context, see Season 4's Trailer.
In this episode, I'm back with another guest, a return guest, my friend, your friend - Dr. Pearl Achuoboro Abue! Fun-fact: She was our very first guest on this podcast! In our very first episode together (Season 1, Episode 6), she shared how she almost dropped out of the Chemical Engineering PhD program in 2021 but now stands ready to don the title of "Doctor" in 2024.
Her academic path, shaped profoundly by her father's encouragement and eventual loss, provides a poignant counterpoint to Pearl's story. She opens up about the rollercoaster ride of switching academic tracks, the impact of her father’s passing in December 2021, and the emotional toll it took. Pearl and I discuss the intersections of grief and motivation, touching on the emotional trials that come with losing a loved one while striving to meet academic milestones. She shares her experiences with finding a therapist who helped manage her grief and academic stress, and we both reflect on the importance of mental health and support systems. Newcomers will get to know Pearl through our shared history, and everyone will be reminded of the incredible power of perseverance and the unwavering support of loved ones.
We end this heartfelt episode with a discussion about healing and growth through therapy, prayer, and find out what's next for Dr. Abue. What does it take to bounce back from the brink of academic despair to the cusp of graduation? Well, find out in this latest episode, and watch this video to recap our best moments from that weekend. (Fun-fact: I was the resident photographer/videographer at all the events!)
As always, we hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!
Ph.Done ✌🏾✌🏾; mic drop...
Lots of love & BBQ steak, from Austin TX,
Tolu & Dr. P
Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you!
Next Episode
S4 E5 - Things to Know Before Moving to the UK ft. Maureen Usiagwu, Workforce Consultant at Capgemini
Hellloo my favorite people! (shhhh, don't let the Youtube people hear),
I have missed you! I have also missed recording audio content for my podcast! I feel like since I got comfortable with Youtube, I found it hard to come back to creating for my podcast again. I'd like to make the promise that I will be back with a new episode/season soon but these days, I've found myself making too many promises on delivering content (especially for my blog on Medium), so I best be careful. Anyhoo, I've missed you so much, and for now, I'm back with the last and final podcast episode for Season 4 (and nostalgically, the last one I recorded while living in New York City).
In this episode, Maureen and I discuss her transition from Nigeria to the UK, where she is building a flourishing career in People and Change Consulting, while also mentoring and offering guidance to others in their career paths through her career coaching outfit, Intentional Strides.
We fondly reminisce on our school days, the mischief and camaraderie that formed the bedrock of our friendship, and share how our friendship has thrived miles apart for the past 16 years! We also reminisce about our high school activism ventures, and the rebellious spirit that sometimes landed us in "trouble" but taught us invaluable lessons. You can listen to/watch more about our activism days here.
Since I'll be moving to the UK in January 2025, I thought to sit with Maureen and learn everything I needed to know before my big move to London!
Whether you're planning a move abroad, seeking career advice, or simply looking to hear heartwarming tales of friendship, this episode is for you! ENJOY!
Walker's Shortbread & English Breakfast Tea,
Teoluks & Morinzy
Please rate the podcast and leave a review wherever you listen; it helps me reach other people like you. Also, follow here for more :) Thank you!
The Non-Immigrant Student - S4 E4 - Losing our USA Work Authorization ft. Excel Chukwurah, T/PgM at Google
Transcript
You've started , we've started , guys who are you for ? Me Guest . This is going to be
Speaker 1this is not going to be your ordinary podcast .
Speaker 2Oosh , Okay what's it going to be ?
Speaker 1This is also going to be a therapy session .
Speaker 2If you like this episode you’ll love
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