Coming To America

E21- English in the USA

Simon was born in Staffordshire, in the English Midlands and grew up in Germany and SE England. He attended university in Wales, Edinburgh, Durham and later Chicago. Simon was ordained as a priest in the Church of England. In 1995 he got the opportunity to serve an Episcopal Church in Troy, NY. Since then he has served congregations in Tigard, Corvallis and Salem, Oregon. Simon is currently a chaplain and community partnership advocate for Church @ the Park, a religious non-for-profit based in Salem that provides resources, shelter and community for people experiencing homelessness and those on the margins. Simon is divorced with three grown up children. He proudly became a naturalized US citizen in 2011

E20 - Italian in the USA

Stefano is the founder of Smile Solution LLC, a company dedicated to enhancing workplace creativity, bonding, and well-being through humor-driven experiential training. With over 20 years of international experience in comedy and facilitation, Stefano has been living in the US for 10 years, has 2 daughters and a wonderful wife, he's cinema freak and loves magic and Martial arts.https://www.stefanoiaboni.com

E19 - Ghanian in the USA

In this special episode of Coming to America, we welcome Niisai Botchway, a Ghanaian musician whose life has been shaped by rhythm, resilience, and remarkable journeys.Niisai first came to the U.S. in 1974 as a member of Hedzoleh Soundz, a groundbreaking Afro-jazz group introduced to American audiences by none other than Hugh Masekela. Before international tours and studio sessions in Nigeria and the U.S., the band was a nightly fixture at the legendary Napoleon Club in Accra.We talk about:The early days of Ghana's live music sceneRecording their first album (twice!)Touring the U.S. with MasekelaReturning to Ghana, and later to Portland in 1991 at the invitation of Obo Addy, another Ghanaian music legendFinding community and balance as an immigrant, musician, and longtime valet at OHSU🎶 And for the first time on this podcast—Niisai plays live music! A beautiful reminder of how art travels with us, no matter where we go.This is more than a story about immigration—it’s a tribute to the global language of music and a life well lived between cultures.

E18 - Honduran in the USA

Aida Rivas is an Executive Coach and seasoned Program Management professional with over 25 years in the tech industry.Parents immigrated from Honduras to the U.S. when she was a little girl. Aida has lived on both coasts and in the heart of the country, but California has been home for most of her life—until recently, when she moved to Portland, Oregon.Aida loves exploring food from different cultures and has been bringing people together through international potlucks with neighbors since 2001.linkedin.com/in/aidarivas

E17 - Swedish in the USA

I this episode of our  Immigrant podcast, I am interviewing Sonia Collier who immigrated to the US from Stockholm, Sweden in 1987.She started her advertising career at the Shalek Agency in Los Angeles and was recruited to Wieden & Kennedy in Portland, OR 1991.1999 she joined Adidas and finished a 22-year career with them end of 2020. She lives with her partner Joe in Portland, Oregon.