Welcome to Episodes 9 (Chinese) and 10 (English)! I am deeply honored to host my friend, Niya. This also marks my first attempt at recording online. Although separated by the Pacific Ocean, our conversation still reached the depths of our hearts.Where I am deeply honored to host my friend, Niya. This also marks my first attempt at recording online. Although separated by the Pacific Ocean, our conversation still reached the depths of our hearts.

We met and became acquainted while doing volunteering at the Stanford International Center. Niya lived in California for a year as a Berkeley Visiting Scholar, while also being a Stanford Scholar's Family Member and actively participating in many Stanford campus activities. She returned to China this February and currently works in Beijing at an educational research institution, studying education finance and policy formulation.

I was thrilled to talk with Niya about her unique observations and interpretations of "abroad" and "home." In this episode, she shared her understanding of hometown, noting that it is separated into geographical and psychological aspects. She referenced the profound idea that “Hometown is where the heart finds peace”. She also sincerely discussed her psychological transformation, moving from the highly pressurized domestic state (known as "involution") to a more relaxed and self-enjoying state.

Niya also generously shared her experience of parenting abroad, detailing how her son, Phil, adapted to the relaxed educational environment of the American public school system, and her redefinition of family—focusing on her own nuclear family. We hope that through Niya's story, everyone can feel that open, free, and self-pleasing attitude toward life, and find spiritual belonging (a home for the soul).

P.S.: 

During the recording of this episode, I was so focused on being the host that I held back my emotions. However, when editing the program, I was moved a second time; I cried while editing and felt healed in the process. I sincerely hope this episode brings some emotional resonance to you on the other end of your phone. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a comment, hit the like button, and share!

Welcome to Episodes 9 (Chinese) and 10 (English)! I am deeply honored to host my friend, Niya. This also marks my first attempt at recording online. Although separated by the Pacific Ocean, our conversation still reached the depths of our hearts.

We met and became acquainted while doing volunteering at the Stanford International Center. Niya lived in California for a year as a Berkeley Visiting Scholar, while also being a Stanford Scholar's Family Member and actively participating in many Stanford campus activities. She returned to China this February and currently works in Beijing at an educational research institution, studying education finance and policy formulation.

I was thrilled to talk with Niya about her unique observations and interpretations of "abroad" and "home." In this episode, she shared her understanding of hometown, noting that it is separated into geographical and psychological aspects. She referenced the profound idea that “Hometown is where the heart finds peace”. She also sincerely discussed her psychological transformation, moving from the highly pressurized domestic state (known as "involution") to a more relaxed and self-enjoying state.

Niya also generously shared her experience of parenting abroad, detailing how her son, Phil, adapted to the relaxed educational environment of the American public school system, and her redefinition of family—focusing on her own nuclear family. We hope that through Niya's story, everyone can feel that open, free, and self-pleasing attitude toward life, and find spiritual belonging (a home for the soul).

P.S.: During the recording of this episode, I was so focused on being the host that I held back my emotions. However, when editing the program, I was moved a second time; I cried while editing and felt healed in the process. I sincerely hope this episode brings some emotional resonance to you on the other end of your phone.

If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a comment, hit the like button, and share!

第九期，第十期我非常荣幸邀请到了我的朋友妮娅来做客。这也是我第一次尝试线上录音。虽然隔着太平洋，我们的交流却依然直达内心深处。

我们是在斯坦福国际中心一起做志愿者时认识并熟悉起来的。妮娅曾以伯克利访问学者的身份在加州生活了一年，同时也是斯坦福学者家属，积极参与了许多校园活动。她已于今年二月回国，目前在北京一家教育科研单位工作，研究教育财政和政策制定。

我非常开心能与妮娅聊聊她对他乡和故乡的独特观察和解读。在这一期节目里，她分享了自己对于故乡的理解，认为故乡有地理和心理之分，并提到“寻心安处是故乡”**。**她还真诚地谈到了自己的心理转变，从国内的紧张状态（所谓的“卷”）逐渐走向一种松弛且懂得享受生活的状态。

在节目中，妮娅还慷慨的分享了在异乡育儿的经历，她的儿子菲尔是如何适应美国公立学校宽松的教育环境的，以及她对家庭定义（以自己的小家庭为中心）的重新认识。希望大家能从妮娅的故事中，感受到那种开放、自由且懂得取悦自己的生活态度，找到心灵的归宿。

Ps:

这期节目我在录音的时候太专注做主持人，收着自己的情绪。结果剪辑节目的时候被二次感动，一边流泪一边剪，一边被疗愈。真诚希望这期节目能给手机另一端的你也带来一些心灵上的共振。

如果你喜欢这个播客，欢迎留言，点赞和分享！

This Episode is in Korean.

Welcome to Cross-cultural Stories, the podcast that shares tales of emotions, changes, confusion, and growth that we experience when living away from our hometowns. This podcast aims to offer comfort and a sense of shared understanding for listeners, and for me and others navigating multicultural lives, it's a journey of self-reflection and healing.

In this special two-part series, we delve into a profound conversation with my friend of nearly ten years, Ara, who is currently a post doctoral researcher in Stanford. Ara's life has been a continuous journey through different "foreign lands" since her childhood, taking her from her hometown to Seoul, Pohang, in South Korea, and now, California in the United States.

In Part 2, our conversation deepens as Ara shares how her time in America has profoundly fostered self-understanding and a re-evaluation of her life experiences. We discuss the unexpected perspectives gained on privilege, the illusion of "amazing people," and the importance of embracing individuality and diverse social groups. Ara highlights how the American approach to failure as a natural part of the journey has liberated her from the intense self-judgment often felt in Korea. She reflects on the joy of pursuing one's passions and the personal growth that comes from constantly moving and adapting. This candid discussion culminates in Ara’s updated outlook, as she considers returning to Korea with a newfound strength and understanding, ready to embrace its good aspects and navigate its challenges.

Join us for this insightful and deeply personal two-episode journey as we explore how life in a foreign land truly changes us, shapes our identities, and ultimately, helps us understand ourselves better.

이번 에피소드는 한국어로 진행됩니다.

고향을 떠나 살아가며 경험하는 감정, 변화, 혼란, 성장의 이야기를 나누는 팟캐스트 <타향과 고향>에 오신 것을 환영합니다. 이 팟캐스트는 청취자분들에게 위로와 공감대를 제공하고자 하며, 저와 다문화 삶을 살아가는 이들에게는 자기 성찰과 치유의 여정이 될 것입니다.

이번 특별 2부작 시리즈에서는 스탠퍼드 대학 박사후 연구원으로 활동 중인, 거의 10년 지기 친구 아라와의 깊이 있는 대화를 들어봅니다. 아라의 삶은 어린 시절부터 고향을 떠나 서울, 포항을 거쳐 현재 미국에 이르기까지 끊임없이 다양한 '낯선 땅'을 여행해온 여정이었습니다.

2부에서는 아라가 미국에서의 시간이 어떻게 자기 이해와 삶의 경험에 대한 재평가를 깊이 있게 촉진했는지 공유하며 대화가 깊어집니다. 우리는 특권에 대한 예상치 못한 통찰, '놀라운 사람들'이라는 환상, 그리고 개성과 다양한 사회적 집단을 포용하는 것의 중요성에 대해 논의합니다. 아라는 실패를 여정의 자연스러운 일부로 받아들이는 미국식 접근이 한국에서 자주 느끼던 강렬한 자기 비판으로부터 그녀를 해방시켰다고 강조합니다. 그녀는 자신의 열정을 추구하는 기쁨과 끊임없이 움직이고 적응하며 얻는 개인적 성장에 대해 성찰합니다. 이 솔직한 대화는 아라가 새롭게 얻은 힘과 이해를 바탕으로 한국으로 돌아가 그 좋은 점을 받아들이고 어려움을 헤쳐 나갈 준비가 되었다는 업데이트된 관점으로 마무리됩니다.

외국에서의 삶이 우리를 어떻게 진정으로 변화시키고, 정체성을 형성하며, 궁극적으로 자신을 더 잘 이해하도록 돕는지 탐구하는 이 통찰력 넘치고 깊이 있는 두 편의 여정에 함께해주시면 좋겠어요.

This Episode is in Korean.

Welcome to Cross-cultural Stories.

In this special two-part series, we delve into a profound conversation with my friend of nearly ten years, Ara, who is currently a post doctoral researcher in Stanford. Ara's life has been a continuous journey through different "foreign lands" since her childhood, taking her from her hometown to Seoul, Pohang in South Korea, and now, California in the United States.

In Part 1, we explore the very definitions of "hometown" and "foreign land" through Ara's unique perspective. You'll hear about her early experiences of leaving her rural Korean home for the first time, and how she defines a "foreign land" not just by physical distance, but by the emotional connections and people she has there. We also begin to uncover the initial ways in which life in the US has transformed her, particularly regarding loneliness and the stark differences between individualistic and collective cultures.

Join us for this insightful and deeply personal two-episode journey as we explore how life in a foreign land truly changes us, shapes our identities, and ultimately, helps us understand ourselves better.

이번 에피소드는 한국어로 진행됩니다.

고향을 떠나 살아가며 경험하는 감정, 변화, 혼란, 성장의 이야기를 나누는 팟캐스트 <타향과 고향>에 오신 것을 환영합니다. 이 팟캐스트는 청취자분들에게 위로와 공감대를 제공하고자 하며, 저와 다문화 삶을 살아가는 이들에게는 자기 성찰과 치유의 여정이 될 것입니다.

이번 특별 2부작 시리즈에서는 스탠퍼드 대학 박사후 연구원으로 활동 중인, 거의 10년 지기 친구 아라와의 깊이 있는 대화를 들어봅니다. 아라의 삶은 어린 시절부터 고향을 떠나 서울, 포항을 거쳐 현재 미국에 이르기까지 끊임없이 다양한 '낯선 땅'을 여행해온 여정이었습니다.

1부에서는 아라의 독특한 시각을 통해 '고향'과 '낯선 땅'의 본질적 정의를 탐구합니다. 한국 시골 고향을 처음 떠난 어린 시절 경험과, 그녀가 '낯선 땅'을 단순히 물리적 거리뿐 아니라 그곳에 맺은 정서적 유대와 사람들로 정의하는 방식을 들어보실 수 있습니다. 또한 미국 생활이 그녀를 변화시킨 초기 방식들, 특히 외로움과 개인주의적 문화와 집단주의적 문화 사이의 극명한 차이에 대해 알아봅니다.

외국에서의 삶이 우리를 어떻게 진정으로 변화시키고, 정체성을 형성하며, 궁극적으로 자신을 더 잘 이해하도록 돕는지 탐구하는 이 통찰력 넘치고 깊이 있는 두 편의 여정에 함께해주시면 좋겠습니다.

This episode is in Korean.

Soo’s story is one of crossing borders, cultures, and identities. Born in Korea, she studied abroad in the UK and now live in the U.S., where she continues her multicultural journey. From navigating student life overseas to adapting to California, Soo’s experiences capture the challenges and joys of living between “homeland” and “new land.” In these two episodes, she joins us together with my cohost Ara, to reflect on her path and share honest, thoughtful insights that will resonate with anyone who has ever lived between cultures.Episode 2:

- What is ‘homeland’ mean to Soo- The initial abroad life: sweet bitter flavor

- Home sick by food sick- Life comparison between Korean and California

- Tips for doctor appointment

- Identity as a Korean

에피소드(2):

- 여러 나라에서 살면서 Soo님이 느낀 '고향'의 의미

- 처음 해외 생활에서 맛본 달콤쌉싸름한 경험

- 음식으로 인한 향수와 고향의 맛 그리움

- 한국과 캘리포니아 생활 비교

- 미국에서 병원 예약과 진료받기 요령

- 다문화 사회 속 한국인으로서의 정체성 성찰

The language of this episode is Korean.

Soo’s story is one of crossing borders, cultures, and identities. Born in Korea, she studied abroad in the UK and now lives in the U.S., where she continues her multicultural journey.

From navigating student life overseas to adapting to California, Soo’s experiences capture the challenges and joys of living between “homeland” and “new land.” In these two episodes, she joins us together with my cohost Ara, to reflect on her path and share honest, thoughtful insights that will resonate with anyone who has ever lived between cultures.

Part1 :- Life as a foreign student in the UK: the excitement and the challenges

- Campus club experiences in both the UK and the U.S.

- How the foreign life shaped her confidence in English speaking

- The continuing influence of Korean culture abroad

- Practical lessons from California life, including negotiation tipsLength: 42 min

다문화 여정에서 배운 생활 팁（한국어)

Soo님의 이야기는 국경, 문화, 정체성을 넘나드는 여정입니다. 한국에서 태어나 영국에서 유학한 후, 지금은 미국에 살며 다문화적인 삶을 체험하고 있습니다. 유학생활에서부터 캘리포니아에 적응하기까지, Soo의 경험은 “고향”과 “타향” 사이에서 살아가는 기쁨과 도전을 보여줍니다. 이번 두 편의 에피소드에서, 그분은 제 코호스트 아라와 함께 자신의 여정을 되돌아보고, 진솔하고 따뜻한 통찰을 나누어 줍니다. 이는 문화 사이에서 살아본 모든 이들에게 깊이 공감될 이야기일 것입니다.

에피소드(1) 내용:

- 영국 유학생활의 설렘과 어려움

- 영국과 미국의 동아리 활동 경험

- 외국 생활이 영어 자신감을 키운 과정

- 해외에서 지속되는 한국 문화의 영향

- 캘리포니아 생활에서 배운 실용 팁, 협상 방법 포함

재미 있게 들어주시기를 바랍니다!

From the Classroom to Everyday Life: Suki’s Cross-Cultural Life Notes (Part 2)

In Part 1, we talked with Suki from Taiwan about her career transition, cultural adaptation upon arriving in the U.S., and an unforgettable emergency room experience.

In this concluding episode, our conversation goes deeper, focusing on everyday moments where cultural differences subtly reveal themselves —from conversations around the dining table to the fascinating clashes in eating habits among friends from different countries;

from varying attitudes toward time to contrasting perspectives on marriage and parenting;and from California’s openness and respect toward gender identity to the differences in educational philosophies between classrooms in China and the U.S.

Through Suki’s perspective, we broaden our horizons. I hope you’ll find inspiration in these stories to better understand cultures beyond your own, see the kindness and inclusivity behind differences, and recognize the shared humanity that transcends borders. May these reflections help you discover deeper connections and a greater sense of belonging between your own “homeland” and “adopted land.”

在上集中，我们和来自台湾的 Suki 聊到了她职业中断后的心理转变、初到美国的文化适应，以及那次难忘的急诊经历。

在这期下集中，我们的对话继续深入，围绕着生活中那些看似细微却能体现文化差异的话题展开——从餐桌上的交流，到不同国家朋友在饮食习惯上的有趣碰撞；从各国人对时间的态度，到婚姻与育儿观念的差异；再到加州社会对性别认同的包容与尊重，以及中美课堂在教育理念上的不同之处。

让我们继续跟随着 Suki 的视角，拓展我们的视野。希望你能在这些故事中，收获跨文化理解的灵感，看见差异背后的善意与包容，也发现那些超越国界的人性共通点。愿这些分享，能让你在自己的他乡与故乡之间，找到更多的联结与归属感。

时长：25 min

In this episode, I invited Suki, who originally from Taiwan, and is a nutritionist with years of professional experience. As the spouse of a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, she is an active and vibrant presence on campus—participating in various activities and dedicating herself to volunteer work, always bringing positive energy to those around her.

In this episode (Part 1), we talk about the turning point when her thriving career came to a sudden pause, and how she navigated the emotional journey of rediscovering her self-worth. She shares her heartfelt reflections after listening to the first few episodes of this podcast—and how certain stories resonated deeply with her own experiences.

We also explore her cultural adaptation after moving to the United States, from small everyday surprises to bigger shifts in perspective. And she recounts an unforgettable trip to the ER in the U.S.—a story that blends surprise, helplessness, and unexpectedly heartwarming moments.

Whether or not you’ve lived abroad yourself, this conversation feels like a letter sent across borders—about courage, adaptation, and the warmth of human connection.

Suki 来自台湾，曾是一名拥有多年经验的营养师，专业与温暖兼具。如今，她以斯坦福大学博后家属的身份生活在校园中，不仅积极参加各类活动，还热心投身志愿服务，是社区里总能带来正能量的人。

在这期节目（上集）中，我们一起走进她从成熟的职场到职涯中断的转折时刻，听她分享那段重新寻找自我价值的心理旅程；她也谈到听完本播客前几期后的真情感受。

我们还聊到她初到美国面对的文化冲击与适应过程，从日常小事到深层观念的变化；以及一次难忘的美国急诊经历——那是一段夹杂着惊讶、无助和暖心瞬间的故事，让人忍不住会心一笑，也引人深思。

无论你是否身处异乡，这期节目都像一封跨越国界的信，关于勇气、适应、人与人之间的温暖链接。希望这期节目能够成为你的陪伴。

时长：25 min

下集预告：我们即将探讨各国朋友在饮食文化上的差异、不同国家对时间的态度、婚育观念的不同，加州对性别认同的包容，以及中美课堂在教育理念上的差异。敬请期待！

Episode 002 Finding Yourself Among Cultures — A Conversation with Kate

Duration: ~35 min

Welcome to Multi-Cultural Stories — a podcast where we explore identity, transformation, and belonging through cross-cultural experiences.

In this very first English-language episode, I’m honored to sit down with Kate, one of the very first people I met after arriving at Stanford. Her encouragement and belief in this idea gave me the push I needed to launch this podcast.

Kate was born in Belarus, speaks multiple languages, and has lived and worked in three different countries. Her story is a powerful one — from navigating identity across cultures to making bold career transitions, and ultimately finding her passion in helping others do the same.

Today, Kate serves as the program coordinator at Stanford’s Bechtel International Center, where she supports international scholars and their families — including me. She’s also the founder of Career Pathway Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping immigrants and international professionals find their place in the U.S. job market.

In our conversation, we begin with the idea of “home”, and follow the thread through her personal and professional journey — the confusion, the courage, and the clarity that comes from embracing change.

If you’re navigating the uncertainty of starting a new career in a new country, this episode will resonate deeply and offer both insight and encouragement.

Let’s dive in.

In this very first episode of Cross-Cultural Stories, I share my personal journey of leaving behind a stable job at a major company in South Korea to start a new life in the United States. It’s a story of courage, confusion, culture shock — and the quiet strength it takes to rebuild from scratch in a foreign land.

I talk about what it really means to “start over” in your 30s, how I dealt with fear and doubt, what surprised me the most about living in America, and how my identity shifted between home and abroad.

This episode isn’t just about one person’s journey — it’s for anyone who has ever stood at the edge of the known world and asked: Is it worth it to begin again?

从韩国大厂裸辞赴美的追梦中国人，我都经历了什么？

如果你也曾在深夜问自己：“我到底想要怎样的人生？”那这一集可能会让你感到共鸣。

我叫Ray，在韩国一家大企业工作近两年后，选择裸辞、搬到美国斯坦福，从零开始重建身份与生活。这一集，我想与你分享这个选择背后的挣扎与勇气，从“安稳”的轨道走出来之后，我经历了经济的压力、身份的转变、找工作的焦虑，也感受到了新世界带来的自由与可能。

这是一个关于转身、关于重新开始、关于在他乡寻找自我的故事。如果你正在考虑改变，或者也站在人生的十字路口，希望这个声音能陪你一段路。

节目时长：30分钟