Iscicle! is! now! on! Android!!!!
You were so patient, and we are so grateful. We hope you love the android version and we can’t wait to see you over on the app. More features on the way, very soon. (You know what they say, grind never stopsssss!).
Iscicle! is! doing! a! giveaway!!!!
Whew - we are full of news this week! As a thank you to the thousands of users and followers who have supported us throughout this journey from website to app, to everyone who’s been so encouraging and kind and patient and lovely, we are doing a merch giveaway!
Learn more and enter here:
Don’t want to take any chances? You can purchase these items in our merch shop, too. Though i get the feeling… that you’re feeling… lucky ;)
Post of the Week
…need I say more? Download now.
Iscie Spotlight!
Sakshi is currently a fully funded MBA student at Georgia State University. Her journey in the U.S. began just 13 months ago, and has been a whirlwind of an experience. We had the chance to ask Sakshi about her time as an international student - here’s what she had to say:
1. Sakshi, as a fully funded MBA student at Georgia State University, you must have had quite a journey getting there. How did you decide to pursue an MBA and why did you pick Georgia State?
So, funny story—I didn’t actually come to the U.S. as an MBA student. Nope, I was originally accepted into a Master’s in Information Systems (MSIS) program, and I even got an assistantship right off the bat (yay for not being broke!). But then reality hit me, by the mid of my first semester, I realized I had taken a wrong turn somewhere. See, my background is in engineering (three years of computer science diploma, then another three years in bachelors, and two years of corporate). I worked as a developer & analyst, but in 2022 I decided to be a product manager.
I thought the MSIS program would give me the management insights I needed, but instead, it was more tech-oriented. And while I love tech, I realized I needed more of the business side of things. So, I did what any determined person would do: I talked to alumni, did some soul-searching, and decided to switch to an MBA. Now, making that switch as an international student? Not exactly a walk in the park, but GSU made it surprisingly less painless. And here I am, loving every minute of it—even the stressful ones!
Why GSU, you ask? Well, my criteria might seem a little unconventional. Picture this: I’m moving to a new country, alone, with no friends or family in sight. What’s my number one concern? The weather! I needed a place where I wouldn’t freeze or melt—Georgia’s tropical climate was just like back home in India, so it was an easy choice. Plus, I did my research on universities that had the right courses for me and solid rankings. GSU ticked all the boxes, and when they offered me an assistantship, it was a done deal!
2. Can you share a bit about receiving funding for graduate studies as an international student? (however you're comfortable - it's a question we often see posted on iscicle!)
Ah, the funding saga—now that was an adventure. Coming from a not-so-rich background, I was determined to fund my studies without bankrupting my parents. So, I started booking 1:1 virtual sessions with course counselors in India. I was that person who always asked, “But what about assistantships and funding?” Then, I created a template (because why not?) and started reaching out to people in the admissions department and professors, basically saying, “Here’s why you should give me money to study here.”
And you know what? It worked! I got offers from seven universities across the USA, 4 of which are with assistantships. In the end, I chose GSU because they offered me an assistantship that also gave me a monthly stipend. It was like winning the lottery, except I still had to do a lot of work. But hey, no complaints here!
3. Do you have any tips for new international students when it comes to mastering the art of survival in a new country?
If there’s one piece of advice I can give to new international students, it’s this: Learn to juggle! Not literally, but in terms of time management. I’m currently balancing two jobs, six MBA courses, multiple projects, and the usual adulting stuff like cooking, cleaning, laundry, and paying bills. Plus, I make sure to stay connected with my family in India and hang out with friends here. Oh, and did I mention I’m also writing a blog about product management, my passion? You can check it out here.
People often ask me, “How do you do it all without losing your mind?”
My answer? A solid schedule and a sense of humor.
But seriously, don’t forget to do little things that make you happy—whether it’s a quick coffee break or a binge-watch session. And most importantly, grow a thick skin. This journey is like a never-ending obstacle course, but if you’re really passionate about your dreams, you’ll power through. Remember, the goal isn’t just to get here; it’s to thrive, succeed, and live your best life. Sure, the reality can be 10 times tougher than you imagined, but hey, nothing worth having comes easy, right? Just trust yourself, trust the process, and enjoy the ride—you’ve got this!
If you’d like to connect with Sakshi, you can find her socials on her Iscicle profile here.
Sakshi is also kindly opening her schedule to chat with current (or future!) international students! You can book a session on her Topmate here - free of charge!
From the Founders:
We’re so excited to get to do a giveaway - highly requested back when we dropped merch originally. To get to do this in conjunction with the android app launching is super fun - we hope you like it and that you win (all of you! somehow!). As usual, thank you for all the love, and see ya over on Iscicle.
— Ariana & Vitor, Iscicle Co-Founders
Jobs/Internships/Opportunities
Region: North America
BobaTalks has partnered with Google to redistribute Google Grow Scholarships and we are looking to redistribute 20 MicroScholarships amongst Community College students in the US/Canada • Note: Open to international students, too! • Apply here.
Software Engineer Intern @ Duolingo (Thrive) • Internship • Pittsburgh, PA • Due Oct. 10th • Note: Minimum GPA: 3.5
Region: Europe
Project Management Intern @ TeamViewer • Internship • Göppingen, BW, DE • Note: Must be fluent in English
Life Sciences Student Assistant @ University of Amsterdam (via StudiJob) • Internship • Amsterdam, Netherlands
Digital Talent Experience @ SAP • Part Time • Walldorf, DE
Craving more international student content?
Join the community on Iscicle to connect with fellow international students and alumni:
