Eat, Play, Live: Stories from Expats in Asia

Have you travelled, worked, feasted, and played in Asia? Would you like to? If your answer is YES, please join Asia Society Northern California’s Young Professionals Group for an evening of discussion and storytelling at Eat, Play, Live: Stories from Expats in Asia!

With the U.S. job market being less than desirable in recent years, young Americans have found themselves drawn to the vibrant cultures and positive economic outlook of Asia. With the prospect of self-discovery, adventure, and a more fertile job landscape, nearly 2 million Americans currently live and work abroad in countries such as China, Japan, and Malaysia. Touching on topics ranging from making the decision to move, to finding a job, from leaving loved ones to making new friends, from culture shock and language barriers, to nightlife, dating and deviously good food, Eat, Play, Live: Stories from Expats in Asia will convene a group of young Americans who have spent an extended period of time working and living in Asia to share their experiences from the Far East.

Please join us, our panelists and our moderator, former CBS-5 broadcast journalist Sydnie Kohara — who has herself lived and covered news in Singapore, Australia, and Japan — for a panel discussion and storytelling session. The panel will feature:

Adam Collardey, Program Chair of ASNC YPG: Born in Flint, Michigan, Adam earned a BA in Chinese Studies from the University of Michigan and, a MA in Asia Pacific Studies from the University of San Francisco. He spent five years in Taiwan teaching English, studying Chinese, practicing kungfu, surfing, and hiking.

Charles Thor is a corporate client relationship manager for HSBC Bank in San Francisco. For two years through October 2011, Charles was living in Singapore where he worked for The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi-UFJ. He was sent there to head Bank of Tokyo's expansion and reach to U.S. multinational companies throughout Asia. He has traveled and worked extensively throughout Southeast Asia and China.

Irene Tieh is Founder of Cross Cultural Connector and USA College Connection. As a Chinese in America and an American in China, Irene has spent her career developing people and products. She has integrated her background in global marketing, and career and product development with cross-cultural communication to help organizations and individuals succeed in the East and West.

Wen-Chih Yu is with KPMG's International Development Assistance Services group in San Francisco. Wen-Chih is a Bay Area native who lived for two years in the central Pacific country of Kiribati while serving in the Peace Corps, and in Singapore for two and a half years where she worked in Corporate Sustainability and Corporate Communications for DHL's Asia Pacific regional office. Wen-Chih moved back to San Francisco in 2010 and is on the board of the Cal-Asia Business Council Young Professionals.

We will have an open wine bar, along with complimentary and delectable Asian-fusion treats - such as pulled pork canapes with kimchi slaw, and tofu "poke" - provided by local pop-up foodies Whiskey Commons. To register, please click here. For other inquiries, please contact Kate Ryge or Laura Ohlson.