Accounting Alumna and MBA Student Giulia Follador Launches Beyond Borders Podcast, International Student Club
Photo by Ethan Stoner '25
Giulia Follador is on a mission to highlight the singular experiences within Point Park University's international student community.
"Every single one of us has a story," she said. "Until you take the time to really talk to somebody, you don't realize what lies behind us."
In that spirit, the accounting alumna, MBA student and volleyball player from Turin, Italy was inspired to create Beyond Borders, a podcast that features interviews with international student-athletes about their journey to pursue their dreams in the U.S. They discuss learning a new culture, striving for athletic excellence and the resilience and courage that keep them moving forward.
"I just wanted to share their stories and give a voice to people who had these unique experiences, because it is definitely life-changing," she said. "With each guest, I learn so much about their country, their experience and their point of view."
Follador's goals are to provide an insightful resource for students considering coming to the U.S. and to build a community among international students in Pittsburgh.
"There are commonalities between the struggles and the rewards we all experience," she said.
The podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify, and she shares episode highlights on Instagram.
A moment that reaffirmed her commitment to the project was when classmates started coming up to her on campus, sharing how much they appreciated and felt inspired by the reels she posted on Instagram.
"That feedback, and hearing how they can see themselves in others' stories, is so rewarding," she said. "I also find it really rewarding when, at the end of an episode, the guest thanks me for doing it because they realize they've never really reflected back on their journey until that conversation. It becomes a very introspective moment for them. That actually happened just last week after a recording, and it blew my mind how often we take our growth for granted. It was so fulfilling to share that space with someone in such a meaningful way."
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Connections Through Storytelling
Geert Bijl '21, an alumnus of Point Park's business management program from Utrecht, the Netherlands, was recently featured on Follador's podcast.
"Being able to share my journey as an international student athlete in the U.S. was special and exciting," he said. "I came here not knowing exactly what to expect, and I faced many challenges — but I also had great experiences and made amazing friends from all over the world. If my story can help or inspire someone else who is thinking about coming to the U.S., then it’s all worth it."
Bijl recently launched a company called Northbridge to assist international students who want to stay and work in the U.S. after graduation.
"Northbridge is a platform that connects international students with U.S. employers who are open to hiring international talent," he said. "We make it easier for students to find real opportunities and for employers to understand the process of hiring someone on a student or work visa. We also work with universities to give their international students better career support. We’re building a bridge between these sides that need each other but don’t always know how to connect."
At Point Park, Bijl found the international community to be friendly and diverse.
"It’s easy to make friends, and you never really feel alone because there’s always someone who gets what you’re going through," he said. "For example, on the men's soccer team, which I played on between 2018 and 2021, we had teammates representing more than 15 nationalities over the years. I am still in contact with some of them on a weekly basis."
Sources of Support
Follador didn't have prior podcasting experience when she set out to create Beyond Borders, but Point Park staff helped her bring her vision to life. Tianna Lecker, assistant sports information director, and Center for Media Innovation staff Wayne Gaines and Tanner Knapp showed her the ropes with recording, editing and publishing. She records the podcast at the Pittsburgh Downtown Media Hub, a shared newsroom for local journalism that students can access.
Reflecting on her overall Point Park experience, Follador is thankful for the University's industry-experienced faculty, like Shannon Gregg, Ph.D., and R. Hagen Starz, Esq., and its athletics staff. Professors are quick to share helpful resources to assist students with their career goals, and the athletics department is like "one big family." She also touted the University's Professional Career-Readiness Center, especially Director Dean Jolin, for working with international students to navigate the complexities of the internship and job search process.
She said other key benefits of Point Park include its Downtown Pittsburgh location, which places students close to experiential learning opportunities, as well as its close-knit community, one-on-one time with faculty and ways to get involved across campus and in the city. For example, she participated in the 2025 Entrepreneurship Leadership Council (ELC) Social Innovations Challenge, during which students from various universities worked in groups to pitch ways to address AI-driven job displacement. Her team, which included international students from other schools, won the competition's People's Choice Award.
"I made tons of connections with good people who I can continue to reach out to in the future," she said. "These are opportunities I would have never had without coming to Point Park."
Creating Community
In addition to the podcast, Follador is focused on strengthening social opportunities for international students on campus. She collaborated with several classmates this year to launch the International Student Club, an organization designed to create an inclusive space where students from different parts of the world can integrate, share their experiences and receive support in their academic, social and cultural adaptation processes. Follador is the president, and applied computer science and business management major Juan Barrera is vice president.
Paula Sole Cifre '27, who hails from Alcudio, Mallorca, is a business management major with a concentration in international business and a minor in sports, arts, entertainment and music business (SAEM). She is the treasurer of the club and is excited to "build a community where everyone who joins can feel like they are at home."
"We will also provide resources like a mentorship program that will help other international students have the best college experience," she said.
The club hosted its first event at the Professional Career-Readiness Center this spring. It served as an introduction to the club's mission, and students enjoyed a highly competitive, fun-filled game of international trivia.
"I enjoyed the participation and the engagement of everyone who attended," Cifre said. "The energy was great, and I feel like we got to know each other."
Anna Comas Girones '26, an SAEM major from Barcelona, Spain, said the club gives international students a place to feel welcome and understood. She is the communication chair of the club.
"Moving to a new country can be hard, and this club helps us connect with others who are going through the same thing," she said. "It’s important because it builds a strong community where we can share our cultures, support each other and make friends. We also want to be that connecting point between international students and future opportunities. Through all our backgrounds and experiences, we can all uplift each other. That is why our slogan is, 'Connecting Cultures, Creating Opportunities.'"
