Podcast: Meeting Rosa Galota, Creator of Voices of Internationals

An inspiring exchange around international journeys

Studying abroad is much more than a change of country: it is a human, cultural and academic experience that transforms personal journeys. At EFAP, international openness is an integral part of communication training, and students are encouraged to share their experiences and make their voices heard.

Being an international student means learning to juggle new cultures, new languages and different academic systems. Rosa Galota, a former Erasmus student at the communication school EFAP Paris, knows this reality well. Originally from Naples, Italy, she was studying at LUMSA University in Rome when she chose to take part in the Erasmus+ program at EFAP Paris.

During her stay, Rosa created Voices of Internationals, a podcast dedicated to international students, where everyone can share their experience without filters. The goal: to create a space for exchange, support and dialogue around student life in Paris, combining practical advice, cultural anecdotes and moments of “lost in translation”.

In this interview, Rosa looks back on the origins of the podcast, the motivations that led her to launch it, and the lessons learned from this adventure, both personal and collective.

Hello Rosa, to begin with, could you tell us a bit about your background and your experience at the communication school EFAP Paris as an Erasmus student?

With pleasure! My name is Rosa, I am originally from Naples, Italy, but I moved to Rome for my studies at LUMSA University, where I specialized in Communication Sciences, Marketing and Media. During my Erasmus semester at the communication school EFAP Paris, I had the opportunity to study alongside French students, but in an English-speaking context. This experience was extremely enriching, as I was able to explore a wide range of fields such as Corporate Communication, Digital Transformation and Creativity. One of the highlights for me was also being able to create my own podcast, Voices of Internationals, which I will talk about in more detail later!

Let’s talk about your podcast! What motivated you to create Voices of Internationals?

The idea came to me quite naturally. Being an international student myself, I became aware of the importance of sharing the stories, challenges and identities of people living this experience. I wanted to create a space where students from different backgrounds could connect, understand each other and learn from one another. This initiative felt even more necessary for future international students who would be arriving in Paris or other cities abroad!

When I arrived at the communication school EFAP, the school’s International Relations team strongly encouraged us to take initiatives if we had ideas. That’s when I thought: “Why not launch a podcast?” It was an ideal way to give international students a voice and share their diverse experiences.

How did the podcast creation process and team formation unfold?

It was a real challenge, but also an exciting adventure. As the founder and creative director, I was lucky to bring together an incredible team made up of international students and two French students. This mix of perspectives really enriched the project.

Everyone had a key role, from audio editing to social media management. It was the first time I coordinated a project of this scale, so we had to overcome a few challenges, particularly in terms of organization and communication. Fortunately, the international team at the communication school EFAP supported us a lot, and we even had access to a recording studio, which made all the difference.

Speaking of the studio, you produced a series of ten episodes in just two months. That’s impressive! What was the theme of the podcast and what was your goal?

The goal was to highlight the experience of international students in Paris: the challenges they face, the advice they can share, and above all to offer a useful resource for future students. We interviewed people from 15 to 18 different countries, which brought a real diversity of perspectives.

I wanted listeners to be able to relate to the stories and realize they are not alone, whether it’s dealing with housing issues, adapting to the university system, or everyday cultural shocks. The idea was to create an authentic and caring space for discussion, where everyone could find themselves.

It’s an incredible project! What did you learn from leading it?

So many things, both technically and personally. Technically, I learned audio and video editing, how to conduct interviews and how to speak in public. On a personal level, I discovered what it means to manage a project from start to finish, to work as part of a team and to meet tight deadlines under pressure. The most difficult part was juggling everything: my studies, the podcast and my social life. But this experience made me extremely organized, and fortunately, I was surrounded by a passionate and supportive team, which really made things easier.

What was the most rewarding aspect of this adventure?

Without hesitation, seeing the project come to life. As soon as we recorded the first episode and heard our guests’ stories, I knew we had something special. Voices of Internationals was a project very close to my heart, and it was amazing to see that it resonated with other students as well. But beyond the podcast itself, the most beautiful part was the connections we created – both with our guests and within our team.

Do you have a favorite moment or a funny anecdote to share about the podcast?

There were so many! One of the most memorable was the episode about student housing. A friend shared how she ended up with a roommate who threw parties all the time. At the time, it was a nightmare for her, but looking back, we laughed a lot about it. That episode perfectly illustrated the small struggles international students can face when looking for housing – and all the surprises that come with it!

Looking back, how did this experience impact you, both personally and professionally?

It was an experience that truly changed my life. Professionally, I gained essential skills for my career in communication and digital media: project management, audio editing and working in a multicultural team. But beyond that, I met incredible people and discovered so many different cultures. It was a real challenge, but every moment taught me something valuable. I wouldn’t trade this adventure for anything in the world!

Rosa, thank you so much for sharing! Your podcast is an inspiring project, and we can’t wait to see what you do next.

Thank you so much! It was a pleasure. I’m truly grateful to have been able to create something meaningful, and I hope Voices of Internationals will continue to inspire and bring together students from all over the world!

Discover the Voices of Internationals podcast on Spotify: