“I felt like my Vietnamese froze at the level of a 17-year-old.” – Mai Doan

My guest today is Mai Doan, who left Vietnam at just 17 to study in Oregon, later studied in France, built a career in the U.S., and then made the choice to return home. Her story was full of courage and honesty. She talked about cultural shocks, stereotypes, and the challenges of returning to Vietnam after so many years abroad.

What stood out to me most was how she found meaning in conservation work, even though her background was in business and law. She reminded me that purpose often comes when we step outside the path we thought we should follow.

This episode made me reflect on how identity changes when we live abroad, and how coming home can sometimes feel even harder than leaving. Mai’s journey is a powerful reminder that development and tradition don’t have to be opposites, and that protecting nature is also protecting our culture.

Main Talking Points

• Leaving Vietnam at 17 and the cultural shocks of living in small-town America.
• Struggling with English and adapting through the support of international friendships.
• Becoming an “unofficial ambassador” to correct stereotypes about Vietnam.
• Returning home and facing reverse culture shock, especially around language and gender expectations.
• Finding purpose in conservation, discovering Vietnam’s biodiversity, and balancing development with preservation.

Chapters and Timestamps
02:31 | Cultural shock in Oregon: language struggles, new friendships, and learning resilience.
10:46 | Confronting stereotypes about Vietnam and becoming an “unofficial ambassador.”
17:21 | Returning to Vietnam: reverse culture shock, family expectations, and studying law.
25:51 | From corporate career to conservation: discovering Vietnam’s hidden biodiversity.
35:10 | Vietnam at a crossroads: balancing rapid development with cultural and natural preservation.
44:01 | Reflections on being a bridge between cultures and looking ahead.

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