MEET ALLEN 

I’m a retired Foreign Service Officer with more than 30 years experience studying, working, and living across cultures. I've lived in nine countries on four continents and worked with people from every walk of life—from day-laborers to highly specialized professionals, from marginalized communities to senior government officials.

My family shared this journey with me, and while we faced challenges, every place we lived became home because of the people. The friendships we formed and the experiences we shared shaped how I see culture—not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive.