What is the true cost of pursuing a dream? For Zahra M. Aghajan, moving from Iran to the US for her love of science meant navigating a path of profound challenges, heart-breaking choices, and deep self-discovery.
In this deeply moving and powerful conversation, Zahra shares her story with incredible courage and honesty. She details the complex motivations for leaving her home, including the specific hurdles for women in her field and the "unbelievably hard" F1-visa process that is a unique challenge for Iranian students.
Her journey is one of inspiring resilience. She gets candid about the waves of loneliness, the cultural shocks of arriving at UCLA (plus some hilarious misunderstandings), and the devastating, personal impact the Muslim ban had on her and her family.
Zahra also speaks openly about:
How grad school "breaks you down emotionally" and how therapy became an essential tool for her to heal and grow.
How she built a new "family" in LA through friends who made her feel at home.
The joys and beautiful similarities of marrying into a different culture.
Her hopes and dreams for raising a bicultural daughter in America.
Throughout the episode, she and host Harshrajsinh Gohil have a compassionate and insightful discussion comparing the cultures of Iran, India, and the USA. This is a story you won't want to miss.
Have a story to share? Email us at [email protected]
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
04:59 Life at Home in Tehran
20:21 Choosing UCLA
22:54 Experiencing cultural shock when returning home, Iran and India
25:40 Cultural shocks in Los Angeles
28:46 US Student Visa challenges
34:54 Muslim Ban and it's Impact
44:50 Life at UCLA
01:03:44 Marrying in a different culture and raising children in the US
01:11:32 What would you borrow from American culture and Iranian culture
About Outsiders Insiders Experience:
Welcome to International Student Experience, the essential podcast for international students navigating life, study, and careers in the USA. We share authentic stories and practical advice to help you thrive. Each episode provides a guide to the biggest challenges of studying in America, with expert advice on everything from the F-1 visa, OPT, and H-1B to overcoming culture shock and building your community.
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