The 16-Hour Hustle Diary | The Reality of International Students

What does it really take to leave home and build a new life in another country? In this episode of #OldAsianLady, Sharon sits down with Marco Bautista (Phillipines) and Trang Vo (Vietnam), two international students who left their home countries to pursue higher education in Taiwan. Behind the excitement of studying abroad lies a story of sacrifice, resilience, and discovering who they are beyond the expectations of family and culture. From working multiple jobs to cover living expenses to adapting to a new language and culture, Marco and Trang share the realities that many people never see. Their stories remind us that personal growth often begins the moment we step outside our comfort zone. Whether you're considering studying abroad, supporting someone who is, or simply enjoy hearing authentic human stories, this conversation offers insight, inspiration, and hope. 🗺️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:49 The Unspoken Bond: Growing Up in Southeast Asia 03:14 Taking a Financial Gamble: Flying to Australia with Zero Money 06:22 Escaping the Parent Bubble: Why We Chose Taiwan 07:24 The Strict Household Rules We Left Behind 11:15 The "Scholarship Dream" vs. Bitter Financial Reality 13:49 The 16-Hour Hustle Diary: Juggling Thesis & 3 Jobs 17:30 Coping with True Isolation & Emotional Burnout 21:11 The Gym as Self-Care and Fighting Frustration 23:05 Outgrowing Your Hometown: "I Don't Belong Here Anymore" 25:41 Navigating Culture Gaps and Social Barriers in Taipei 28:30 Facing Ugly Stereotypes as an International Student 33:00 The Real Source of Pressure: Ourselves vs. Our Parents 35:44 Is Money the True God of Gen Z? 37:58 Action Over Words: How Asian Families Express Love 40:46 Breaking Generational Trauma: Learning to Say "I Love You" 43:48 "Please Trust Me" — What We Wish Our Parents Understood 49:10 The Burden of Being a Financial Investment Contract 52:42 Does True Freedom Exist Abroad? 58:09 Building an Empire: Our Future Entrepreneurship Dreams 01:01:43 Advice to Young Adults Afraid to Fail 01:03:18 Sharon’s Wisdom: Find What Lights You Up 01:09:00 Words of Wisdom: You are a Million Versions of Yourself #StudyAbroad #Taiwan #InternationalStudents #PersonalGrowth #Culture #StudentLife #Scholarships #Podcast #OldAsianLady #SharonLandon 🎙️ About Old Asian Lady Real people. Honest conversations. Stories that challenge assumptions about age, race, gender, identity, culture, and the human experience. You can also find us on ~ Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sh... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... IHeart Radio: https://tinyurl.com/IHeart-TheOALShow Produced by: Scene 8 Studio IG: @scene8studio Website: www.scene8studio.com