November 17, 2025
“I was raised in the Dominican Republic and moved to the U.S. as a high school junior. Having experienced cultural shock and the need to quickly adapt, supporting other international students is deeply personal to me.”
“I was raised in the Dominican Republic and moved to the U.S. as a high school junior. Having experienced cultural shock and the need to quickly adapt, supporting other international students is deeply personal to me.”
“Students often find a need to adapt to their environment and experience cultural shock and imposter syndrome when they arrive at their institutions of learning. Over my five years in higher education, I’ve worked to guide them through these challenges, helping them access resources, build confidence, and find their place in new and unfamiliar spaces.”
“Having been an international student myself, I understand how challenging the experience can be. I love seeing the mutual growth—how our New Yorker students learn from international students, and how international students, in turn, learn from them.”
“I have been working with international students and scholars since 2003. My passion comes from a personal place, as I want to support international students the same way I would want someone to support my own son if he were studying abroad. Every student deserves representation, guidance, support and belonging.”
With over a decade of experience in international education, Kayla O’Donnell has worked tirelessly to support international students at the University at Albany. As a Designated School Official (DSO), she has a unique perspective on the challenges these students face and is passionate about helping them succeed.
Navigating the U.S. job market as an international student or professional can be uniquely challenging, particularly for those requiring sponsorships like H-1B visas or Green Cards.
Learn more about ICAway, visit https://www.icaway.com/ In this special recap edition of Hope & Optimism, Kwan and Betsy come together to reflect on the powerful insights shared by our four recent guests—Dylan Rust, Fiona McEntee, Dr. Ling Gao LeBeau, and Dr. LaNitra Berger. From building belonging and navigating immigration challenges to implementing frameworks for student success and championing inclusion, each conversation added a new layer to our understanding...
🎙️ Hope & Optimism Podcast | Season 1 Finale And just like that, we’ve arrived at the final episode of Season 1 of the Hope & Optimism podcast! Kwan, Betsy, and Dania wrap up the season with an inspiring conversation on how institutions can build stronger, more supportive communities for international students through fairness, equity, and inclusion. 🎧 This week’s special guest: Dr. LaNitra M. Berger—award-winning scholar, educator,...
Learn more at ICAway.com 🌐 In this inspiring episode of Hope & Optimism, we sit down with Dr. Ling Gao LeBeau to explore her powerful 5 Pillar framework for supporting international students. From academic success to career development, Ling shares stories, strategies, and insights that help students thrive in the U.S. and beyond. 🎓 Discover what truly matters in international student support🌍 Learn how cultural understanding can transform...
Fiona is the founding and managing attorney at McEntee Law Group, a nationally recognized immigration firm based in Chicago. She’s an award-winning lawyer, a passionate advocate for startups and creatives, and a leading expert on O-1 visas, EB-1A green cards, and pathways that help international talent build their futures in the U.S. She's also the author of Our American Dream, a children’s book that celebrates immigrants and her...
In this inaugural episode of Hope & Optimism, host Kwan Segal, founder of ICAway, is joined by co-hosts Betsy and Dania for an important conversation with Dylan Rust, a leader in international student inclusion at Northern Arizona University.
Welcome to the very first episode of the Hope & Optimism podcast, a space where international student advocates, experts, and changemakers come together to build a more supportive, resilient future. In this pilot episode, host Kwan Segal, founder of ICAway and a dedicated career coach for international students, introduces the heart behind this podcast and is joined by two powerhouse co-hosts: Betsy Cohen is a respected leader and...
To learn more about job search strategy for F-1 international students, visit https://www.icaway.com/ I’ve been getting a bunch of requests from new international grads who are on the hunt for jobs in this tough economy. And guess what else? Their OPT is about to start! So, I wanna share four cool strategies with you that can actually stop the OPT unemployment allowance clock. If you just graduated and your...
Executive Orders Impacting the Workplace – What You Need to Know
Navigating the U.S. job market as an international student or professional can be uniquely challenging, particularly for those requiring sponsorships like H-1B visas or Green Cards.
Join us as Coach Kwan and Younes Ben share his journey from Morocco to the USA, leading to his first full-time job as an Energy Engineer! From balancing studies and cultural integration to securing interviews and navigating the job market, Younes reveals his strategies for success. Transcript: [00:00:00] Coach Kwan: Hello everyone. Today is Sunday morning. What time is it now? 9:30 a.m. In Chicago. And we are...
You can listen to the latest episodes of the ICAway podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or right on our website. In this episode of Career Guide for International Students, we are thrilled to welcome Shiyun Ye, an inspiring ICAway member, as she takes us through her incredible journey from China to the United States. Shiyun shares how she overcame financial challenges, managed multiple jobs, and navigated career setbacks—such as job offer...
Tune in as we explore how colleges and universities can better support international students through proactive engagement and collaboration between faculty, career services, and international offices. From memorable stories to expert advice, this episode is packed with practical tips and thoughtful discussion.
Tune in to hear about the philosophy of "compassionate compliance," the importance of collaboration across campus offices, and tips for navigating the complexities of F-1 visa regulations.
Welcome to Season 3, Episode 5 of the ‘Career Guide for International Students’ Podcast, brought to you by ICAway! I’m your host, Kwan Segal. In today’s episode, we delve into the art of cross-cultural networking and unveil the secrets to landing a job as an international student in the US! Our special guest is Betsy Cohen, Executive Director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project of the World Trade...