Why we started The Go Abroad Pod
The idea for our podcast was born in the most unexpected of places: a TJ Maxx Homegoods store! It was just another sunny January Saturday in Southern California, and as we wandered through the aisles, picking over the remnants of the winter and chatting about life, work, and the future, a thought struck us: what if we started a podcast about international education?
Maybe it was the fresh energy of the new year, or perhaps it was the caffeine from our cold brews—but the moment we said it out loud, we knew we had to make it happen.
Both of us have spent years in the international education industry, guiding North American students toward the life-changing opportunity of earning degrees abroad. We’ve seen firsthand how transformative these experiences could be. We also recognize that one of the biggest barriers to studying internationally is the lack of connection to people who have already taken that leap.
We’ve watched students light up when they realized that going abroad after high school was a real possibility. Just as often, we’ve listened to school counselors, often half joking and half serious, say, “I wish I’d known about these options when I was a student!”
We’ve also been fortunate to feel the warmth and support of the international education community —a network of passionate individuals dedicated to expanding global learning opportunities. It was this sense of community that we wanted to open up to more people and create a hub for anyone who might be curious about international education.
If only there was a place where stories could be shared, and anyone who was equally passionate about helping – or perhaps interested in studying overseas themselves – could go.
We both knew we needed to make this podcast. It was the missing piece — an answer to the question of how do we bridge the gap for students considering overseas education.
At The Go Abroad Pod, the goal would be simple: to provide a meaningful resource for anyone considering studying overseas. It would be a hub for real stories about studying abroad and the challenges, triumphs, and unexpected moments that come with it.
We knew there would be no shortage of stories to share. The real challenge was figuring out how to turn our idea into reality.
Enter Laura Kondourajian, a seasoned producer at KCRW, sound engineer, and freelance podcast editor. With Laura’s expertise in podcasting and Ashley and Emma’s contacts within the international education industry, we knew we had the foundation to make this happen. A few weeks later, over plates of pasta and cheesecake at Irvine Spectrum, we mapped out a plan—step by step—and soon, the real work began.
Now, almost ten months later, we are beyond excited to introduce The Go Abroad Pod to the world!
There are plenty of resources available online about international education, but nothing compares to hearing directly from the people who have lived the experience. That’s why we’re so excited about this podcast—it’s more than just another downloadable PDF or brochure. It’s real conversations, with real people, sharing their stories and insights into the world of studying abroad.
We’ve interviewed a wide range of guests, from a past president of the International Association of College Admissions Counseling to alumni who’ve taken unconventional paths to earn their degrees. You’ll also hear from current students studying overseas, college counselors, and university representatives who share behind-the-scenes tips on making your study abroad dreams come true.
This has been the result of incredible support from the community, many hours spent after our 9-5 commitments and sudoku-esque scheduling skills with our non-stop travel schedules – but all the laughs, the learning curves, and the effort will be worth it now that we get to finally announce the official launch of The Go Abroad Pod.
We invite you to join us on this journey. Subscribe to The Go Abroad Pod on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media for updates and sneak peeks of upcoming episodes.
We can’t wait to share these incredible stories with you—and we hope that, whether you’re tuning in for the first time or the fiftieth, you’ll feel as welcomed, supported, and inspired as we’ve been throughout this process.
Thank you for being part of our community. We’re excited to see where this journey takes us—and you!
Welcome to The Go Abroad Pod!
— Ashley & Emma
