feel like you belong
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feel like you belong

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    • Television Show
    • About the Television Show
  • Whadja Say?/
    • Whadja Say?
    • About "Whadja Say?"
    • Glossary
  • What's Up?/
    • What's Up?
    • About "What's Up?"
  • What's So Funny?/
    • What's So Funny?
    • About "What's So Funny?"
  • About Us/
    • Meet the Crew
    • Behind The Scenes
  • Contact/
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feel like you belong

sharing the life stories of immigrants, expatriates, and refugees to the United States

Television Show

Feel Like You Belong TV is your source for real stories about the real people we call migrants. They may be the seasonal workers who traverse the country picking our daily produce.* They may be the expatriates who come on temporary assignment for their multinational companies. Or they may be the intrepid** souls who have committed to calling these United States their new homeland.

People have been migrating since time immemorial.*** They have moved for safety from earthquakes and drought. From war and disease. From persecution and economic hardship. They have the same characteristics as our immigrant forebears who gave up the familiarity and comfort of home in order to take risks and build a better life.

Join us here every week with these heroic storytellers and learn about what it is that still makes America a destination for entrepreneurs and risk-takers. The people who moved themselves and their families across deserts and oceans. People who add to each new generation’s vibrancy**** and can-do spirit. Welcome to Feel Like You Belong. 

feel like you belong

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    • About "Whadja Say?"
    • Glossary
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    • About "What's Up?"
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    • About "What's So Funny?"
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August 05, 2019

Fridah Kanini: Community Leader and Entrepreneur

August 05, 2019/ Alan Headbloom

Fridah Kanini talks about the journey that led her to Michigan from her native Kenya: hardships, tenacity, and the drive to create community. An entrepreneur at heart, she talks about founding the first-ever African Festival coming to Grand Rapids on August 10.

August 05, 2019/ Alan Headbloom/
Fridah Kanini, FLYB, Feel Like You Belong, Kenya, West Michigan Kenyans, Cultural Intelligence Center, Grand Rapids Michigan, Orlando Florida, Walt Disney World, hospitality, United Kingdom, African culture, A Glimpse of Africa, African Festival, Alan Headbloom

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.

August 01, 2017

Christine Mwangi: Meeting Women's Needs Where Women Are

August 01, 2017/ Alan Headbloom

When Christine Mwangi's family won the U.S. visa lottery, they thought they were the lucky ones. Turns out the United States hit the jackpot when young Christine landed on its shores to become a role model for us all. The young pharmacist shares her story of inspiration and meeting the needs of women across the nation and the world.

August 01, 2017/ Alan Headbloom/
Meeting Women's Needs Where Women Are, FLYB, Christine Mwangi, Be a Rose, Kenya, pharmacy, women's sanitary needs, Bethany Christian Services, Feel Like You Belong, Alan Headbloom

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.

May 25, 2016

Joe Lurie: From Gaffes to Growth

May 25, 2016/ Alan Headbloom

When do our cultural perceptions become deceptions? Whenever we let stereotypes and unfounded assumptions take over our thought processes. Interculturalist Joe Lurie talks about five decades of global learning––from observations as well as personal missteps. He shares some of the wisdom from his new book and offers tips for immigrants who want to succeed in the U.S. workplace.

May 25, 2016/ Alan Headbloom/
Joe Lurie, Berkeley, UC-Berkeley, International House, Peace Corps, Perception and Deception, Kenya, Uganda, Entebbe, intercultural, ESL, immigrants, second language, crossing cultures, Alan Headbloom, Feel Like You Belong, modesty, saving face, talk show, interview

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.

April 14, 2014

Mach Makuei: "Lost Boy" Entrepreneur

April 14, 2014/ Alan Headbloom

Mach Makuei, former Lost Boy of Sudan, talks of his childhood days in a refugee camp in Kenya and coming of age in the home of a generous foster parent in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Now a graduate of Albion College, he dreams of taking his entrepreneur visions into the U.S. marketplace.

April 14, 2014/ Alan Headbloom/
Mach Makuei, Sudan, Lost Boy, Sudanese Civil War, refugee, Kenya, Albion College, Catherine Frerichs, PayMyMove.com, NationalApartmentMovers.com, entrepreneur, Alan Headbloom, talk show, Feel Like You Belong, immigrant, U.S., Michigan, Grand Rapids, Bethany Christian Services, foster parent, Civil War, United Nations

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.


  • Home/
  • News/
  • Blog/
  • Television Show/
    • Television Show
    • About the Television Show
  • Whadja Say?/
    • Whadja Say?
    • About "Whadja Say?"
    • Glossary
  • What's Up?/
    • What's Up?
    • About "What's Up?"
  • What's So Funny?/
    • What's So Funny?
    • About "What's So Funny?"
  • About Us/
    • Meet the Crew
    • Behind The Scenes
  • Contact/

feel like you belong

Feel Like You Belong is a sometimes serious, sometimes funny, always “touch-your-heart” real conversation about fitting into the American culture. It introduces guests who have made the immigrant journey to the United States. The stories–of both struggle and success–will help newcomers feel more confident in sharing their opinions and expertise, more likely to want to stay in the U.S., be more productive in their jobs, and fully invest in their communities.

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Television Show
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What's Up?
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Vowel Contrast 10–11
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What's So Funny?
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