2.5. International Princetonians Reflect on a Strange Yet Culturally Powerful America

Rohan Jasani '23 and Aparna Shankar '21 are two of the many international students at Princeton. They join Susan (2:30) to discuss their Perspectives on quarantine (3:59), Perceptions of both American and Princetonian cultures (6:18), and the unique space that international students hold at an American university (22:47). They also answer all of your juicy, Pitched questions (30:24), including if Rohan is single, the strangeness of American small talk, thoughts regarding ICE's announcement, and movie/TV recommendations. Finally, the three students discuss Hollywood's enormous cultural capital (54:14) and relate to the peculiar feeling of pride when POCs reach the big screen.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Our first advertisement and why.
• 1:12 Intro.
• 2:30 Introducing the guests.
• 3:59 Perspective: how has quarantine been for you?
• 6:18 Perception: what has surprised you the most about American culture? Also, the resistance to mask-wearing.
• 12:31 Princeton: what does Princeton do well or not do well for their international students? Also, Princeton students aren't robots?!
• 22:47 Platform: International students should be able to voice their opinions on American issues. Also, Susan laughs at her career goals from one year ago.
• 30:24 Pitched: is Rohan single? Also, stereotypes of American universities.
• 34:27 Pitched: strangest things about America and favorite "American" foods.
• 40:59 Pitched: initial thoughts after the ICE announcement.
• 44:27 Pitched: why did you pick Princeton?
• 46:25 Pitched: our experiences with online classes.
• 51:47 Pitched: movie/TV recommendations.
• 54:14 Pitched: America's enormous cultural capital through Hollywood. Also, relating to the peculiar feeling of pride when POCs reach the big screen.