In this special Q&A episode of Assorted Immigrant Stories, I dive into a mix of questions you've sent me over time, from WhatsApp, DMs, and emails. No particular order, no filters — just honest answers to real questions.
🎧 Topics include:
• What to do after winning the green card lottery
• Travel & health insurance when first arriving
• Repeating high school in the U.S. — worth it?
• Packing tips to avoid airport issues
• Is nursing still a good career choice?
• ...and other spontaneous gems
These aren’t the top questions — just randomly selected 😄
If your question isn’t in this one, stay tuned , I just might answer it in the next Q&A next season .
Guests: Prisscah V, Mutsah M, Kola, Dr. Musoma
In this powerful episode, we unpack the concept of Black Tax — the financial expectations placed on immigrants by families back home. Rooted in love, culture, and care, this sense of duty is deeply embedded in African values. Giving back often brings pride and meaning. But what happens when cultural expectations clash with the realities of living in America?
We explore:
Should we help immediately or first understand America?
What happened to paying it forward?
When does helping turn into dependency?
Is lifestyle creep reducing our ability to give?
Why are needs sometimes exaggerated?
Can support be mutual — check-ins, indigenous food, or simply a “hello”?
This honest conversation brings warmth, laughter, tension, and a collective agreement: we love to give, but not at the cost of our well-being.
Quote of the Episode:
"Don’t take away from your children what made you a man." — Unknown
Book Mentioned: Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud
🔥 Real talk for real people. Part 2 is a must.
In this episode, I speak with Reuben Ndjerareou—a community leader, educator, and the visionary behind Speak African Series. He is also the host of The Think African Talks (TATT TALKS). Reuben shares his powerful, cross-continental journey: born in Chad, raised in the U.S. from ages 4 to 12, then sent back to Chad when assimilation became difficult. He later returned to the U.S. for high school and college, secured Optional Practical Training (OPT), but the company he worked for collapsed, cutting his plans short.
Reuben returned to Chad, eventually pursued a master’s degree in the U.S., and has since worked in Chad, Zambia, and the United States. He also lived as a refugee in Cameroon—an experience that shaped his worldview.
We discuss the importance of African think tanks, the struggles of international students, and Reuben’s commitment to shifting African narratives through storytelling and dialogue. Catch him every Thursday at 8 PM EST on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook for TATT TALKS.
Links mentioned :
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kwanda/
Aseshi University :
https://g.co/kgs/kg3W9NZ
uwec.edu
bemidjistate.edu
Some of the few other schools that offer In State Tuition in the US :
Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas A&M University-College Station, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at Arlington, and University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, Minot State University,Dickinson State University, and Northern State University also offer this benefit.
Reviewing Americanah:A Conversation on Race, Identity, and Immigrant Stories
In this episode of AIS, I’m joined by Stella (originally from Kenya) and K. Wilkes (a Black American and host of the Pondering Thoughts podcast) for a deep dive into Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
Americanah was the first novel I read that authentically captured the immigrant experience—and it reignited my mission to amplify immigrant voices through storytelling.
Kay and I first conected through afros and audios and became a guest on her show Pondering Thoughts, sharing my immigrant journey from Zambia( Season 3 episode 7). During our chat, we realized we both loved Americanah, and together with Stella, we planned this rich discussion on race, identity, relationships, and cultural adjustment in America.
All three of us re-read the novel for this episode and discovered even more powerful insights. Whether you’re a fan of Adichie, interested in immigration narratives, or exploring Black identity in America, this episode is for you.
In this episode, I chat with Ben-Collins, CEO of BC Advantage LLC, an AI-powered company helping people and organizations connect with their purpose through innovative technology. Born and raised in Cameroon, Ben shares his powerful story of immigrating to the U.S., launching his business, and now contributing to the Global AI Summit in Rwanda and Zambia. A passionate advocate for community, equity, and impact, Ben offers actionable insights on how anyone can leverage artificial intelligence for career growth, entrepreneurship, and positive change.
Books Shared by Ben:
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
My Recommendations:
Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue
How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue
Movie Recommendation:
The Fisherman’s Diary (available on Netflix)
Learn more about Ben’s work:
Website: BC Advantage LLC
YouTube: BC Advantage Insights
YouTube: Mind and Heart Conversations with BC
https://www.bcadvantagellcs.com
In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Stella as we review Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue—a powerful novel about immigration, ambition, and the pursuit of the American Dream. As immigrants ourselves—Stella from Kenya and me from Zambia—now American citizens and nurses, we found so much of our own story reflected in the characters of Neni and Jende. We share our personal journeys, including the career dreams we left behind (pharmacy and finance) and how becoming nurses sometimes felt like taking a step back to move forward. This conversation blends book analysis with real-life immigrant experiences, exploring identity, sacrifice, and resilience.
Splitting the bill with my roomates helped me pay for my high tuition fees. In this episode I share my personal experience of having roommates and how it helped me save money on housing costs especially as a new comer.
Join us as we shine a light on Zambian podcasts and podcasters! Inspired by Africa Podcast Day , we discuss the state of podcasting in Zambia and the diaspora with Pastor Nathan, Chulu, and Reuben. Tune in for our top Zambian podcast picks and recommendations for other african podcasters.
Meet Joram Mutenge, a writer, data analyst and podcast host . Despite limited options when growing up, Joram emphasizes the importance of preparing for and seizing opportunities , leveraging free internet , and exploring global resources . Join in as he shares his story of growing up in a Zambian ghetto (komboni) to winning full scholarships to study in the UK and US.
www.jorammutenge.com
jorammutenge.com
https://www.zm.uwc.org/.
Contact : assortedimmigrantstories.com
Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Mutsah. She shares her remarkable journey from Zimbabwe to Ukraine for medical school , and eventually to the US. Discover how she navigated obstacles and discovered new passions.
IG : @mmmutsah
Follow us on
IG: @assortedimmigrantstoriesPod
Tiktok: @assortedimmigrantstories
Facbook page : Africans Thriving in America
Facebook Closed group : Assorted Immigrant Stories
email: assortedimmigrantstories@gmail.com
Meet Kola, host of "Better Informed Immigrant Podcast" .Join us as Kola shares his Journey. Born in America, raised in Nigeria and returned to the US for college. Despite making missteps with his education , Kola persevered , earning a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and a master's degree in electrical engineering . Eventually thriving in his career , Kola now shares his hard-won insights through his podcast, helping listeners navigate the complexities of immigrating to America and avoiding the mistakes he made along the way.
Karla's story is one of courage and transformations. At just 6 years old , she crossed the Mexico-US border twice. First with her mother and then her grandmother. Growing up undocumented , Karla navigated countless challenges, from language barriers to limited access to healthcare . It wasn't until she was 12 that she discovered her undocumentated status. But Karl's journey did not end there. She eventually obtained DACA and later became a US citizen. Join us as Karla shares her powerful story of hope, adaptation, and self discovery.
PMK shares her journey of moving from Zambia to America as an international student . She successfully completed her Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program during her Optional Practical Training (OPT). Today, Precious helps families with index securities and educates them on Life Insurance.
Overview of the M1 Visa: The M1 Visa is a type of visa that allows international students to pursue vocational training in the United States. This visa is specifically designed for individuals who wish to enroll in programs that focus on practical skills and hands-on training rather than traditional academic coursework.
In order to apply for an M1 Visa, prospective students must first be accepted into a vocational training program at a school aproved my the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Once accepted , students can then begin the visa application process, which includes filling out the necessary forms, paying the required fees, and attending a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Diversity Visa Lottery Frequently Asked Questions.