Welcome to this episode of Her Power Series, featuring Dr. Jodie Boyd, Subject Area Lead (Education) and School Director for International at the University of Huddersfield. Jodie was the first member of her immediate family to attend university, earning a BA in Sociology, an MSc in Career Guidance. Her PhD focussed on the role of career guidance and open days on university choices. In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Her journey from “first-gen” student to higher-ed leader
• Practical strategies for resilience, mentorship, and work-life balance
• A behind-the-scenes look at Huddersfield’s career services and distance-learning MA degree
• The university’s holistic wellbeing and belonging initiatives for students

Timeline:

• 01:05 – 09:42 | Jodie’s Career Journey
• 09:43 – 19:48 | Career Advice Resilience in a fast-changing market; women’s & international student barriers; equity ≠ equality; find mentors, say “yes” (with boundaries)
• 19:48 – 26:31 | Work–Life Balance PhD + family + Work: embrace flexibility; plan rigorously; set boundaries; Huddersfield’s PhD workload policy & Athena Swan initiatives
• 26:31 – 30:14 | Wellbeing & Belonging at Huddersfield Hybrid Student Services counselling; Personal Academic Tutor check-ins; Board in Hood events & therapy dogs
• 30:15 – 37:50 | Huddersfield Careers Services Dedicated careers consultants; Graduate Career Explorer tool; international drop-ins for visas & sponsorship; AI & skills-focused curriculum; Global Professional Award & ICCDE launch
• 37:50 – 47:22 | Huddersfield Distance MA Programme 100% online MA in Career Development & Employability; live lectures; dual school/HE pathways; global community & virtual placements
• 47:22 – 49:27 | What is “Her Power”? Visibility, support & giving back; advice: step out of your comfort zone, overcome imposter syndrome

In this special festive episode of Global Frontiers, we chat with Oskar Gabryel, a Tourism and Events Management graduate from Northumbria University, about the real experience of studying in the UK. From the excitement and challenges of university life during the pandemic to balancing academics and personal growth, Oskar shares honest insights on adapting to a new culture and building a career in social media.

We also explore how Christmas feels different when you’re far from home — talking about the lively UK holiday spirit with Poland’s family-focused traditions. Whether you’re preparing to study abroad or just curious about UK's study life, this episode offers warmth, advice and festive cheer.

Grab a cozy drink and join us for a heartfelt conversation about growth and finding your own version of home during the holidays.

In this episode, our host sits down with Aneena Elza Binod, a graduate of the University of Bristol (MSc in Management – International Business), TEDx speaker, AI fashion creator, and recipient of the Bristol Plus Award.

Aneena shares her inspiring journey from India to the UK — including how she ran for a student society election before even arriving in the country, turned volunteering and micro-internships into CV experiences, and discovered the power of creativity through AI fashion and public speaking.

She also talks about receiving multiple university offers (including a scholarship from the University of Liverpool), but why she chose Bristol instead, and how she found belonging, confidence, and purpose along the way.

If you’re an international student — or planning to become one — this episode is packed with practical advice on scholarships, networking, and making the most of every opportunity.

In this episode of Uoffer Global Frontiers, we talk with a psychology graduate from Coventry University who shares her study-abroad experience — from International Year One to a master’s in Applied Psychology.

She opens up about adapting to university life in the UK, studying through lockdowns, finding connection in isolation, and earning her psychology certification in China to prepare for her future career if she can't find a job in the UK.

Her journey reminds us that studying abroad is not just about earning a degree — it’s about growth, resilience, and discovering who you are along the way.

🎧 Tune in for an honest look into life as an international student in the UK.

From helping students to battle rental scams and solve disputes with professors to influencing national visa and transport policies — international students face challenges most don’t see.

In this episode, we speak with Weihong Liang, Sociology PhD candidate at the University of Sydney and a leading advocate for international students. He shares real stories of student struggles, his journey from campus initiatives to national advocacy, and why building strong student communities matters. Weihong currently serves as the International Student Officer for the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations and is the founding Chair of the NSW International Student Representative Committee.

He shares:

• The most common — and sometimes shocking — problems international students bring to him, from signing contracts for apartments that don’t exist to unfair academic disputes.
• How everyday student frustrations like food prices, printing fees, and housing access can evolve into campaigns that improve campus life for everyone.
• His role in leading the Fair Fares petition for public transport discounts, and the campaign to extend the 485 visa age limit for Higher Degree by Research graduates.
• Why building community and refusing to see yourself as an “outsider” is key to both survival and success as an international student.

Interested in joining the International Student Representative Comittee (ISRC)? Get in touch at: internationalstudents2025.au@gmail.com

Whether you’re a student, educator, policymaker, or simply curious about the real experiences of international students, this conversation will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges — and the power — of student voices in shaping a fairer system.

Have you ever wondered if taking a career break to study abroad is worth the risk?

In this episode of the Uoffer Global Frontiers Podcast, we sit down with Adira Putri, a 2025 Master’s graduate in International Business from Monash University Malaysia. Originally from Jakarta, Adira left behind her career at Maybank Indonesia Finance and the U.S. Embassy to pursue her studies abroad.

She opens up about:

• Why she chose Malaysia over other destinations
• How she overcame fears of studying abroad alone
• The real differences between Indonesian and Malaysian education styles
• Career challenges for returnees — including being “overqualified” in Indonesia
• How she landed a remote job with a Singapore-based company less than a month after graduation

Adira’s journey shows that studying in Malaysia can be more than just affordable — it can be a smart investment in both personal growth and global career opportunities.

👉 If you’re considering a career break, study abroad, or wondering whether Malaysia offers real ROI, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Junyi Peng — Master’s student in Applied Linguistics at the University of Reading, Student Ambassador, scholarship recipient, entrepreneur, and founder of a youth community with 700+ members.

Junyi shares why she turned down offers from prestigious universities in the US and elsewhere to study at Reading, and how this decision shaped her unique journey. From navigating cultural adaptation through programs like Host UK, to leading as Vice President of Education at Toastmasters, she reveals how stepping out of the comfort zone accelerates growth.

We also dive into her career path as entrepreneur who landed her first UK client not by sending countless CVs, but by building networks and delivering value. Along the way, she explains her philosophy of “networking not as asking, but as bringing offerings”, and how personal branding and social media can transform opportunities: “It’s not you looking for jobs, it’s jobs finding you.”

Whether you’re an international student or simply curious about career planning, networking, and self-branding, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories.

In this Cantonese episode, we sit down with Athena, a jewellery designer who transitioned from a theory-based education and full-time job in Hong Kong to a practice-driven Master’s program in the UK at Birmingham City University (BCU).

Athena shares:

• Why she left a stable career to study abroad
• The biggest contrasts between Hong Kong’s and the UK’s education styles
• How BCU fosters creativity through studio access, competitions and real-world exposure
• Her experience representing her class and influencing the graduation exhibition
• Meeting world-class artists at the Munich Jewellery Fair and how it shaped her artistic direction
• How she transformed recycled aluminium cans into a statement jewellery collection inspired by Birmingham’s street waste

This episode is more than just about jewellery—it’s about rethinking creativity, finding your voice through international education, and embracing cultural diversity.