The real cost of being a student (includes podcast)

This is a podcast series that explores the economic, social and academic impact of unaffordable housing for Florida International University students.

The series asks students the question: “Should I stay, or should I go?” It follows young college students as they debate whether to attend college while living at home or move out, pay rent, and struggle to earn their degrees.

The two-episode series shares the stories of FIU students Mayumi Takahashi, who works five days a week and shares a space with four roommates, and Kamal Singleton, who lives with his mom and has both money and time to focus on his studies and attend live sporting events.

Ultimately, the series seeks to reveal what happens when reality hits and students are forced to make a choice: face unaffordable housing head-on now, or stay at home, finish their education and take the plunge into South Florida’s housing market later.

Episode 1: Working for the rent and managing relationships

In the first episode, hosted by Nick Pakuris, FIU student Mayumi Takahashi explains how working five days a week to pay the rent and sharing a small apartment with four other roommates can be a challenge and a necessity.

Takahashi explains how she balances working full-time and studying while barely having time to hang out with friends. She also discusses her relationship with her roommates, including one who has self-appointed herself as “house police”—enforcing strict rules while sometimes falling short on her share of the rent.

Episode 2: Living at home, Mom’s house mom’s rules

In the second episode, host Nick Pakuris explores the benefits and drawbacks of living at home with your parents.

FIU student Kamal Singleton shares his opinions on affordable housing and having to rely on his mom for food and shelter. While it gives him the stability to succeed in school and enjoy extracurricular activities, he knows he must respect the household rules.

Singleton admits that, although living on campus might benefit him socially, staying at home makes it “easier to survive” and provides the space to figure out what he wants to do with his life.

To visit the accompanying website, click here. To watch the accompanying video story, click here.

Alexander Lasa

As an avid lover of music, Alexander Lasa has dreamed of becoming a sound engineer since he was five years old. His love of music started at an early age, having grown up in a family that consisted of his mom, dad, and two siblings who also loved music. When he was eight years old, he built his first recording studio behind his grandmother's couch, where he could often be found listening to classical music. Some years later his grandmother gave him a tape recorder and that was the beginning of his lifelong pursuit of working in the audio industry.

Alexander attended Southwest Miami Senior High School, where he graduated with a 3.0 GPA. During his time in high school, he pursued the performing arts. He had a natural ear for music and played several instruments in the school orchestra. He easily jumped from the woodwind section to brass, percussion, and eventually to the piano. Later throughout the 80's and 90's his interest in contemporary music inspired him to experiment with synthesizers, sequencers, drum machines, guitars, and vocals. He even took a stab at acting in his high school's rendition of Luigi Pirandello's, Six Characters in Search of an Author. Additionally, he took courses at his local community college which allowed him to get a head start on his college work. He is currently a junior at Florida International University, where he is pursuing a BS degree in Multimedia Productions. He currently has a 3.670 GPA and works for the Miami-Dade Public

Nickolas Pakuris

Nickolas Pakuris is a senior at Florida International University majoring in journalism and has a life devoted to sports and arts. After his studies, he hopes to pursue a career working with the Miami Herald and ESPN.

Paige Samuels

Paige Samuels is a senior at Florida International University majoring in Digital Media and Communications. Her interests are centered around marketing, pop culture, and politics. Samuels
aspires to work in public relations and social media marketing once she completes her studies.

Armando Cruz