Episode 81
How to THRIVE As An International Student (Grades Don't Matter) - w/ Bhushan
Moving abroad for studies often gets reduced to a checklist: applications, visas, internships, and landing that first good job. In this episode of Ready Set Do I sit down with Bhushan Chougule, a graduate student at Purdue University studying Engineering Management, to talk about what most study-abroad advice misses — the small, human things that actually make your time overseas feel like living instead of surviving.
First moves to steal
- THRIVE As An International Student (Grades Don't Matter) - w/ Bhushan
- Building Social Connections in a New City
- In this episode of Ready Set Do I sit down with Bhushan Chougule, a graduate student at Purdue University studying Engineering Management, to talk about what most study-abroad advice misses — the small, human things that actually make your time overseas feel like living instead of surviving.
- We start with the practical moves: how to move to a new city for an internship or job without burning cash, how to scout housing that balances convenience and safety, and simple rent-optimization tactics that make a real difference to your monthly budget.
- We talk about building social connections from scratch — how to find activities, meet people beyond class groups, and make genuine friendships that last.
- Bhushan’s perspective as a Purdue student makes these contrasts real and actionable: how to adapt quickly without losing your identity, how to ask the right questions at work, and how to translate academic experience into career currency.
- simple things that take our experiences as international students in foreign lands to the very next level. Things like...
- an internship or a job, how to find housing, how to build social relationships and date, going about differences in...
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Transcript-backed moments
A few lines worth stealing before you hand over the full hour.
I'm Naman Pande. This is the Ready Set Do podcast. And in this episode, my guest is Bhan Choule. At the time of recording, Bhan is a graduate student at Purdue University studying engineering
Purdue University studying engineering management. And the topic of our conversation today is actually something that is grossly overlooked in study abroad circles. Getting a good job and
abroad circles. Getting a good job and saving a ton of money is obviously critically important. But in our mad dash to do so, we often overlook the simple things that take our experiences
simple things that take our experiences as international students in foreign lands to the very next level. Things like how does one move to a new city for like how does one move to a new city for an internship or a job, how to find
an internship or a job, how to find housing, how to build social relationships and date, going about differences in work culture between India and America, understanding core American values, and last but not least,
Show notes
Moving abroad for studies often gets reduced to a checklist: applications, visas, internships, and landing that first good job. In this episode of Ready Set Do I sit down with Bhushan Chougule, a graduate student at Purdue University studying Engineering Management, to talk about what most study-abroad advice misses — the small, human things that actually make your time overseas feel like living instead of surviving.
We start with the practical moves: how to move to a new city for an internship or job without burning cash, how to scout housing that balances convenience and safety, and simple rent-optimization tactics that make a real difference to your monthly budget. Bhushan and I dig into cost-of-living trade-offs and everyday money hacks — from grocery strategies to budgeting apps — that compound into meaningful savings over a semester. We also cover safety in a non-alarmist way: neighborhood research, campus resources, transit awareness, and routines that keep you secure while giving you freedom.
Beyond logistics, the episode is about people. We talk about building social connections from scratch — how to find activities, meet people beyond class groups, and make genuine friendships that last. Bhushan shares candid stories about embracing solo dining, showing up to events alone, and how those small, awkward choices open doors to a city’s social life. We dig into the importance of intent when socializing: being curious, generous, and consistent beats clever networking hacks every time.
Work culture differences come up honestly — the practical expectations around punctuality, initiative, and feedback that often separate success in India from success in the US. Bhushan’s perspective as a Purdue student makes these contrasts real and actionable: how to adapt quickly without losing your identity, how to ask the right questions at work, and how to translate academic experience into career currency.
Dating, relationships, and boundaries are part of the conversation too. We talk consent culture, online dating norms, and how to balance romance with personal growth while you’re focused on studies. Mental health and homesickness are treated with empathy; we discuss campus counseling, peer groups, and tiny habits that rebuild routine and resilience when home feels far away.
Quick housing tips: find reliable roommates, when to sublet, landlord questions that matter, and why transit proximity saves money. Bhushan points to campus boards, local groups, and budgeting apps. We cover part-time work and mental health resources.
If you’re moving abroad, this episode gives practical moves you can use. Visit readysetdopodcast.com
All links and resources are on readysetdopodcast.com — tune in, share with a friend who’s planning a move, and try one small habit from the episode this week. Small decisions — the routes you take, the people you show up for, the questions you ask — shape the quality of your time abroad far more than any single internship or paycheck.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro + Background
02:07 Navigating the International Student Experience
05:08 Housing Strategies for International Students
08:09 Rent Optimization and Cost of Living
11:19 Safety Considerations in New Environments
14:04 Building Social Connections in a New City
17:12 Work Culture Differences India vs US
26:12 Building Connections in a New City
29:43 Finding Activities to Meet People
31:48 The Importance of Intent in Socializing
33:55 Embracing Solo Dining Experiences
38:15 Navigating Dating and Relationships
41:53 The Value of Diverse Connections
47:35 Genuine Conversations and Building Friendships