I said, “I’m fine,” and they thought I really was.

Living across cultures, I’ve had moments when what I intended and what others understood were quite different.

Sometimes I said “I’m fine,” hoping someone would notice I needed support. I stayed humble, trusting my work would speak for itself. And I hesitated to disagree, remembering how I’d learned to show respect to someone older or in authority.

In the U.S., I’ve found myself in settings where people expected me to ask directly, share my accomplishments, and speak up (let’s just say I’m still a work in progress!). Those things have sometimes felt uncomfortable, even when I understood why they mattered. These experiences have made me more curious about the expectations we each bring into a conversation, often without realizing it.

On December 12, we’re bringing Pittsburgh’s Korean community together for Finding Our Place in the U.S., part of our Korean Professional Gathering (FLC Reunion). 🍋🌉

I’ll moderate a conversation with professionals across medicine, engineering, nursing, Korean studies, film, and technology about the everyday moments that shape life across cultures:

💬 Saying “I’m fine” when there’s more we hope someone will understand.
🌱 Sharing our accomplishments when we’ve learned that modesty is a virtue.
🤝 Disagreeing with a supervisor or listening to our children when respect means different things across cultures and generations.
🏡 Figuring out whether a friendly “How are you?” is a greeting, an invitation to talk, or the beginning of a friendship.

We hope to make room for different experiences across families, generations, and workplaces, including the questions that remain after decades of living in the U.S. Whether you’re new to the U.S. or have called it home for years, your perspective is welcome.

📅 Saturday, December 12, 2026
🕑 2:00–4:00 p.m. ET
📝 RSVP: https://lnkd.in/g9vS3W6Z

#DrLemon #Pittsburgh #KoreanCommunity #KoreanProfessionalGathering #CrossCulturalCommunication #Belonging #FLCReunion