Duc Nguyen Abrahamson: Doing Business with Asia-Pacific

When Duc Nguyen was an infant in 1975 Saigon, her father came home and told his wife, "Pack up the kids. We're going!" In the frantic hours that followed, Duc's mother was trampled in the rush to a waiting escape vessel, nearly drowning her baby daughter in the process. The family eventually resettled in East Michigan and began the all-too-familiar challenges of refugees: adapting to language, work, and culture of a strange new homeland. Join us for the inspiring tale of struggle and success of one young Vietnamese-American professional.

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Sughnen Yongo: Africans, African Americans, and the Culture of Hair

From Central Nigeria to the American Midwest: Self-described nonconformist, Sughnen Yongo gets her parents to allow her to move to the U.S. to study and find her American Dream. An aspiring writer, she shares her personal journey with us, along with observations on race, culture, and hair!

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Luzia Leme Tartari: Finding Home

Luzia Tartari shares how a year's international student exchange can change the trajectory of one's life. From southern Brazil to western Michigan: join us for one woman's intercontinental, life-altering journey.

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Robyn Afrik: Promoting Inclusion

Born in South Korea, Robyn Afrik was adopted by an American family at a young age. Growing up in a white family, Robyn sensed that she was treated differently, but did not understand why. Meeting her African husband in college helped open her eyes to the struggles facing people of color that she had been sheltered from. As the Ottawa County Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Robyn joins us to share her life journey and to discuss her goals for creating belonging in W. Michigan.

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.

Steffanie Rosalez: Community Advocacy Through the Arts

Steffanie Rosalez is the director of the Cook Arts Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She joins us to discuss creating community through the arts.

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.