International Student Stories brought to you by Study in the USA

Empowering Fellow Students — Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Liberty Hombe is an advocate for justice — the ultimate example of someone who turns challenges into opportunities. Liberty is a pre-med student born in Zimbabwe but spent much of his childhood in South Africa. He is attending Minnesota State University in Mankato [https://www.studyusa.com/en/schools/p/mn051/minnesota-state-university-mankato] and has started several student organizations that help improve the lives of international students. Today, you can find Liberty empowering students to find their voice as he himself exemplifies the change he wants to see in the world. This is his story.

The Psychology of Test-Taking: How to Crush Anxiety and Succeed in Life

SEASON 3 — EPISODE 7 The Psychology of Test-Taking: How to Crush Anxiety and Succeed in Life Dr. Dimitrios Vonofakos joins us to continue the conversation sparked in our previous episode, “Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of a Grad School Exam,” alongside Anish Merchant. But this time, we go deeper. Drawing from his background in psychoanalysis and his work at Merchant GMAT & Admissions, Dr. Dimitrios explores the psychological foundations of test-taking — unpacking why anxiety arises, how fear manifests, and what mental frameworks actually help students perform at their highest level. This conversation moves beyond the GMAT. Dr. D reframes test anxiety as something universal — a metaphor for the fear, comparison, perfectionism, and self-doubt we face in everyday life. Through thoughtful insight and practical strategies, he shares how students (and professionals) can navigate mental blocks, apply structured problem-solving frameworks, and learn when it’s okay to “skip” — not every problem needs to be solved immediately. This episode is not just about crushing anxiety on an exam. It’s about developing the mindset to face life’s biggest challenges with clarity, confidence, and resilience. Episode Summary 01:52 – Dimitrios reflects on a cherished childhood photo and early influences.  03:15 – His journey to studying psychoanalysis at the University of Essex.  05:10 – How he integrates psychoanalytic principles into his work at Merchant GMAT & Admissions.  06:31 – What first sparked his interest in the GMAC and standardized testing psychology.  07:28 – If the GMAT were a person, how would he describe it?  08:16 – What the GMAT is actually trying to bring out in test-takers.  09:02 – Why fear is the greatest challenge students face during high-stakes exams.  10:37 – The gap between score-improvement promises and psychological reality.  11:47 – How people truly deal with anxiety.  14:40 – Frameworks Merchant uses to navigate mental blocks and test anxiety.  18:18 – The GMAT as a metaphor for the psychological challenges of life.  21:51 – The concept of “skipping” — and why you don’t have to solve everything at once.  22:56 – Two essential insights for navigating both exams and life’s pressures.  25:40 – How to connect with Merchant GMAT & Admissions.

Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of Grad School Exams

SEASON 3 — EPISODE 6 Life’s Pop Quiz: The Unexpected Lessons of Grad School Exams Anish Merchant often references “The Hero’s Journey” — the timeless story of a protagonist who leaves home in search of belonging, only to discover that the journey itself reshapes who they are. Inspired by that narrative, Anish left the United States in pursuit of his own grand adventure. His path led him to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he discovered not only a new home, but a new calling. What could have been the conclusion of one chapter instead marked the beginning of another. That next chapter became Merchant GMAT & Admissions, Anish’s company dedicated to helping students navigate the GMAT, graduate admissions, and the deeper lessons embedded in the process. For Anish, the GMAT isn’t just a standardized exam — it’s a metaphor for life: structured thinking, resilience under pressure, strategic risk-taking, and confronting the fear of failure. In this episode, Anish reflects on adventure, entrepreneurship, MBA culture, and why exams — much like life — are less about perfection and more about growth. Episode Summary 02:53 – The meaning behind Anish’s name.  03:39 – How seeking adventure led him to Buenos Aires and changed his life trajectory.  05:58 – What resonated so deeply with him about Argentina.  07:05 – The origins of Merchant GMAT & Admissions.  10:44 – How Anish views the role of an MBA degree in someone’s life.  12:05 – Why the GMAT or MBA should be seen as a means to an end, not the end itself.  14:48 – The importance of knowing what you don’t want, as much as what you do want.  18:47 – Comparing the MBA journey to the broader path of life.  19:34 – How the GMAT serves as a metaphor for resilience and structured problem-solving.  21:40 – Breaking down the thinking frameworks embedded within the GMAT.  24:15 – Addressing the fear of failure and how it limits potential.  26:35 – How working in international education transformed his own path.  28:00 – His favorite superhero — and the superpower he’d choose.

Unlocking the Universe: From Forbes 30 Under 30 to New Frontiers in Science

SEASON 3 — EPISODE 5 Unlocking the Universe: From Forbes 30 Under 30 to New Frontiers in Science (Part 2) Maryam Esmat returns for Part 2 of her extraordinary two-part interview — and this chapter expands from storytelling to the cosmos. A Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 honoree, Maryam continues to push the boundaries of astrophysics while pursuing her Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of her work with NASA, through AURA (Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy), at the Space Telescope Science Institute, contributing to the historic James Webb Space Telescope mission. From calibrating the telescope to supporting exoplanet researchers in using its groundbreaking technology, Maryam offers a rare glimpse into the collaborative and global nature of modern astrophysics. But her work does not stop at telescopes. Maryam also dives into her current research on dark matter — one of the most mysterious and foundational questions in modern physics — while speaking candidly about the rarity of Arabs, particularly Arab women, in the physics and astrophysics communities. This episode is about scientific discovery, representation, mentorship, and legacy. Maryam is not only unlocking the universe — she’s opening doors for the next generation to do the same. Episode Summary 02:00 – Maryam reflects on her time at the Space Telescope Science Institute, working on the James Webb Space Telescope.  05:29 – Two major projects she contributed to: (1) calibrating the telescope and (2) guiding exoplanet scientists in its use.  07:27 – Her reaction to being named to Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30.  09:14 – An accessible explanation of dark matter and why it matters.  15:32 – Collaborating with leading scientists, including the HAYSTAC collaboration and Dr. Katelyn Breivik.  20:11 – Debunking misconceptions about the astrophysics community.  23:28 – The rarity of Arabs — especially women — in physics and astrophysics.  26:25 – A call to Arab physicists worldwide and her involvement in a global Discord network connecting them.  27:07 – Her commitment to mentoring students through EducationUSA, astrophysics research, and creative writing.  29:00 – Advice for students considering studying in the United States.

Prologue to Greatness: Author, Astrophysicist, and Mentor

SEASON 3 — EPISODE 4 Prologue to Greatness: Author, Astrophysicist, and Mentor At just 24 years old, Maryam Esmat’s life already reads like a greatest hits album. Recognized on Forbes Middle East 30 Under 30 for her groundbreaking work in astrophysics, and named the youngest published author in the Middle East, Maryam has achieved what many spend a lifetime pursuing. Yet, if you ask her where we are in her story, she’ll tell you something unexpected: We’ve only read the prologue. Born and raised in Giza, Egypt, Maryam grew up in a home filled with books, curiosity, and academic rigor. Her love for science and storytelling emerged from the intersections of history, culture, literature, and the human psyche. Today, she is pursuing her Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University, continuing to push boundaries in both science and narrative. In this episode, Maryam reflects on identity, intellectual curiosity, mentorship, and the courage to dream beyond geography. She speaks about studying abroad in the United States, challenging misconceptions about international students, and blending astrophysics with creative writing in ways that redefine what it means to be multidimensional. Her journey reminds us that greatness is not a destination — it’s a mindset. And her story is only just beginning. Episode Summary 03:09 – Maryam introduces us to her childhood in Giza, Egypt, and the city that shaped her.  03:53 – Growing up in a household of readers, academics, and endless books.  05:06 – How her parents’ interests in history and culture sparked her passion for science.  06:05 – Why the U.S. liberal arts education model drew her to study abroad.  07:32 – How her family supported her decision to pursue education in the U.S.  11:19 – Reflections on how perceptions of her journey have changed over time.  13:30 – Observations on the geographic and cultural diversity of the United States.  15:06 – Misconceptions U.S. residents may hold about international students.  17:49 – An overview of her award-winning novel, The Escaping Flashback, and its inspiration. 20:30 – How she grounds her writing in science, human interaction, and psychology. 22:05 – Looking back on her creative writing thesis at Lycoming College, The Evolution of Storytelling in Egypt. 25:13 – The next story Maryam hopes to tell.