These Indians: Recent Episodes
These Indians
Hosted by Samarth Vats, These Indians is a show created to highlight stories and personal experiences of Indians living abroad; from the initial transition to another country, to how life unfolds today and beyond. If this sounds like you, come on in and join the conversation. As long as it's yours, we want to hear your story!
To participate, email us at theseindians1@gmail.com or DM @these__indians on Instagram.
In this episode, we're talking to Arjita Sethi. Arjita is the co-founder of the New Founder School, a company that helps aspiring entrepreneurs bring their big ideas to life. She previously co-founded a VC-backed company, sits on the advisory board of the NASDAQ entrepreneurial center, and is a faculty member at two business schools in the US. Arjita was granted the Alien of Extraordinary Ability visa in the US, and has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, and the Economic Times. This is a fascinating conversation with somebody who didn't take no for an answer, carved out a path for herself, and now helps others do the same.
Website: https://newfounderschool.com/
Instagram: @newfounderschool, @arjitasethi
In this episode, we're talking to Devyani Gupta. Devyani is an advocate at the Supreme Court of India and lives in Delhi, so you might be wondering - why is she on this podcast? Well, turns out Devyani spent some time in US as a graduate student at Cornell University and is licensed to practice law in state of New York, so clearly, there's more to that story. We talk about what it was like to be a law student in the US, how the practice of law differs between the two countries, and the need to feel a sense of connection to the culture whose constituents you represent. If you've ever tussled with the idea of home, this episode may have something for you.
In this episode, we're talking to Anjali Nair. Anjali is the founder of The Immigrant Academy - a community-based, career mentoring and skill development platform that aims to help immigrants restart their careers and settle into a new life abroad. Over the last three years, she's helped more than a thousand immigrants lead more fulfilling and integrated lives in the US, and she hopes to help many more in the years to come. She's also a writer, an influencer, and a product marketer. You can check out The Immigrant Academy using the links below:
Website: https://www.theimmigrantacademy.com/
Instagram: @theimmigrantacademy
New Founder School: https://newfounderschool.com/
Part II of my conversation with Jose Paul. If you haven't already, be sure to check out Episode 5 for Part I and hear his backstory.
In this episode, we're talking to Jose Paul, who is based out of Toronto, Canada. Jose grew up in Oman, and we talk about what it was like growing up as an Indian in the Gulf. He went to the US for his undergrad, switched majors halfway, moved back to Oman, and then again to Canada, and we talk about all of that and a whole host of stupid, but hopefully informative things. This is a two-part episode filled with lots of laughter, and subjects that make you think, and I hope you enjoy listening to it.
In this episode, we're talking to Mitali Seth, a Global Project Manager at L'Oreal Paris based out of, well, Paris. She moved to the city in 2021, and along with her husband, has been rediscovering the idea of home in the city of lights. We talk about her initial struggles with French systems, learning the language, enjoying summer vacations as an adult, and the self-discovery that comes from living abroad. If you've ever considered moving to France, I have a feeling you'll like this conversation.
In this episode, we're talking to Aditya Raina, a 31 year-old consultant based out of Toronto, CA. Originally from Delhi, he moved to the city in 2019 to pursue his MBA from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. I've known Aditya for a long time - he's sharp, insightful, and as I found out, keenly aware of his experiences as an immigrant. Our conversation goes through a variety of personal, societal, and professional topics, including how vulnerability is the key to building lasting relationships, what makes a new place feel like 'home', the curse of being an immigrant, the salad bowl vs the melting pot, and finally, knowing yourself to know what you're doing.
In this episode, we’re talking to Alaika Sahni - a bright, bold, and thoughtful 20 year old who is training to become a future commercial pilot. Originally from Chandigarh, India, she is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in commercial aviation from the University of Memphis, Tennessee in the USA. Alaika spends most of her time attending college classes and taking flying lessons, and hopes to fly a Boeing C-17 Globemaster one day. Among other things, we talk about the differences in the aviation industry in the US and India, the challenges and joys of making new friends, the dreamy Boeing 787 Dreamliner, stepping outside your comfort zone, and finally, the desire to serve your country.
In this episode, we're talking to Kunal Jain, someone I've known for a very long time. Kunal is a Product Manager at Google in San Francisco, a city he's been living in for the past 2 years. He moved to the US to pursue his MBA in 2018, and since then he has lived on both the east and the west coast, and we talk about some of the differences he's seen between the two cultures. We also talk about the decision to move back to India, having your priorities in order before making such a decision, and cultural differences at the workplace in India vs the US, or lack thereof.
Welcome to These Indians. In this episode, I introduce myself, the concept behind the show, and reflect on my motivation for making it. Listen in to figure out if this show is for you!