0 to 1 From O-1 Visa to Startups: A Guide for International Students & Founders in the US
Aug 22, 2025
Soundarya Balasubramani, an author and entrepreneur who founded Unshackled, sheds light on the difficult realities faced by international students in the U.S. She shares her personal journey from O-1 visa denial to success, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in the process. The conversation dives into how the O-1 visa compares to the H-1B, the value of networking, and the supportive community created through Unshackled. Soundarya also discusses the impact of her writings, including her upcoming book A Thousand Days of Love, focusing on love, ambition, and personal growth.
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First Night Lost In Harlem
- Soundarya arrived in New York alone, got lost in Harlem at midnight with a dead phone and no jacket.
- She survived the night and described the experience as a poetic, formative plunge into city life.
Culture Shock: Toilets And Networking
- Soundarya's biggest culture shock was adapting to toilet paper instead of water, then learning proactive networking in the US.
- She found securing internships harder than getting into Columbia and had to learn persistent outreach.
Give Before You Ask In Networking
- Give before you ask when networking; offer value so you stand out among volumes of outreach.
- Small acts of help or thoughtful messages make you memorable and increase chances of referrals.
