Why I’m Shifting My Work to Support Skilled Immigrants in the USA
Over the past few years, I worked primarily with Americans living and traveling abroad. Recently, I made the decision to shift my focus to supporting skilled immigrants here in the United States. I want to share why that change feels both important and aligned to my values.
What I know from experience, personally and professionally, is that immigration is difficult and stressful for all humans. When people struggle to connect with their local communities, they feel lonely, confused, and depressed. That’s not the life anyone imagined when they chose to move to a new country.
I lived abroad in South Korea for a year teaching English. That year changed me. It’s what inspired me to spend decades of my life understanding cultural differences and how we connect across cultures. When I returned to the U.S., I was determined to help others feel more welcome in my home country. Shifting my work to support immigrants feels like a return to something foundational for me: contributing to a more welcoming United States. This is more important now than ever before.
Culture shock is real, and it’s often underestimated. I experienced it myself in South Korea. I’ve spoken with many immigrants in the U.S. who have worked through similar struggles. Many feel hesitant to say anything negative about American culture, but frustration, confusion, and disappointment are normal parts of cultural adjustment. Avoiding those conversations doesn’t make them disappear. I believe it’s important to examine the difficult parts openly. My goal is to provide a thoughtful, structured space where immigrants can process their experiences with an American who is trained to understand and interpret cultural dynamics, not dismiss them.
Skilled immigrants are resilient, capable, and hardworking. Yet almost no one teaches them the deeper cultural rules shaping American friendships, social expectations, and community life. When connection doesn’t happen easily, it’s common to feel like you’re the problem. But I don’t believe that. What you, as an immigrant have, is valuable and you can build community in the U.S.
I’ve worked or built friendships with people from more than 30 countries, earned a Master of Public Administration, and I am pursuing doctoral studies in cross-cultural communication. Across these experiences, I’ve seen how predictable and preventable many cultural misunderstandings are when people are given the right tools.
Today, I provide structured cultural skill-building for skilled immigrants who want to feel confident, connected, and at home in the United States.
What do I believe?
I believe immigrants are vital to the future of the United States.
I believe connection across difference is a skill and skills can be learned,
I believe no one should feel like they are failing simply because no one explained the invisible cultural rules.
I believe immigrants need a comfortable space to discuss their cultural concerns.
If you are a skilled immigrant trying to build a real life here, not just survive, but grow roots, I want you to know that you don’t need to try harder. You need deep cultural understanding, practical tools, and someone who understands both the system and the human experience. That’s the work I’m committed to now.
Read more about Renae here.
Read about the Cultural Communication and Skills Package.