Student Life Unplugged
Welcome to our “Student Life Unplugged” podcast, where young people from diverse backgrounds share their experiences in navigating student life across the globe. Tune in as we explore the real conversations and candid stories of students — from their academic challenges to personal triumphs and everything in between.
This podcast offers a unique platform for students to voice their thoughts on a variety of topics such as adapting to new cultures, handling academic pressures, and planning future careers. Whether it’s students in the Europe discussing the nuances of studying abroad, or cousins in South-East Asia revealing the dynamics of male students’ experiences, each episode dives deep into aspects of student life that are seldom discussed openly.
Hosted by an experienced educator who has seen both sides of the academic spectrum, our podcast provides not just stories but also guidance and insights from someone who truly understands the student journey.
Student Life Unplugged
S1 E2 Singapore, Malaysia - Al, Chern Han and Hans - Studying at home, and abroad in the UK, Germany.
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 Kingdom, Singapore, Germany and the US.
Al, who is from Malaysia but studied in Cardiff talks about how different he found studying in a more western society, Chern Han moved from Singapore to Malaysia and then to Germany and now back in Singapore. He discusses the move but also why he was so surprised by the Germans he met. Hans is the youngest, he’s in Malaysia but hoping to study in the US. He seems to have his head sorted, but is concerned about this next step, moving away and making new friends.
In the conversation about friends Al and Chern Han offer tips about how to always keep a ‘bit of home’ around you when studying away and why not everyone will click with you but that’s ok, you’ll find your tribe.
They also talk about mental health during exam time and moving home, how they all deal with stress differently and why friends and family are most important at this time.
Student Life Unplugged is hosted by Leong Hiew, a former University Lecturer with a passion for education. Student Life Unplugged is part of Leong's mission to promote the joy of learning among young people through his organisation 'Lifespan Education'. He is working towards building a positive world, to nurture communities of engaged learners for the sake of his own children and for young people everywhere.
For more information about Leong and his project go to https://https://lifespan.education/contact/
If you would like to take part in the podcast, go to https://lifespan.education/podcast/
This podcast is produced by Elisa Kennedy