Lucky to Be Here: Building Lives & Careers Abroad

Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C.
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Personal Journals
  • Biweekly

Building life abroad, navigating life, career and immigration changes, and transitions while living abroad are all at the heart of Lucky to Be Here. Hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C., this podcast shares moving and living abroad stories from people who have navigated major life and career changes across countries. Hear their lessons and career advice for relocating to a new country, defining success internationally, and building cross-border success on your own terms. Join our newsletter for additional career support following our Career as PlaygroundTM approach at https://www.agvservicesllc.com/luckytobehere. This podcast is a production of AGV Services LLC.

  1. 4d ago

    Finding Your Way From Korea to the U.S. and Its Immigration System with Joe Kwon

    This episode of Lucky to Be Here™️ is the first of two with our guest Joe Kwon. Joe Kwon is the founding attorney of Joe Kwon Law, PLLC, a boutique business immigration practice licensed in Tennessee and serving clients nationwide. He focuses on self-petition and extraordinary-ability cases (EB-1A, O-1A/O-1B, EB-2 NIW) with deep PERM labor-certification experience, and offers attorney-direct, flat-fee representation with first-class multicultural service. His approach is teach-don't-sell: honest case assessment and plain-language guidance over legalese. In our discussion, Joe shares his journey moving as a kid from South Korea to the US, his evolving identity as he adjusted to life in Tennessee and attending college as an international student, and how his experiences shaped his career in immigration law. Throughout our conversation, he shares his insights on navigating these cultural shifts, various career transitions, and the importance of viewing immigration as a journey rather than a destination. You can find Joe Kwon on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook as @joekownlaw to follow him in Korean and English, and book your consultation.  Keywords immigration, career development, cultural identity, legal career, international students, US immigration system, personal growth, professional journey, South Korea, immigrant children Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joe Kwon and his background 02:08 Joe's childhood in Seoul and move to Nashville 03:55 Initial impressions of Nashville and cultural shock 08:50 Adjusting to a new environment and language barriers 12:54 The emotional whiplash of belonging and systemic barriers 18:58 Realization of career interests and law school journey 33:05 The shift from survival to self-actualization in career 43:52 Focus on immigration law and its significance 51:59 Advice to the 12-year-old immigrant self 54:00 Closing remarks and resources for listeners Lucky to Be Here™️ is a podcast that showcases those who took the leap to build lives and careers across countries. They share their stories, their lessons, and their advice to show us what it means, and what it takes, to build a life and career abroad.  Lucky to Be Here™️ is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC. Visit our website https://www.agvservicesllc.com/luckytobehere to join our newsletter to receive our episodes in your inbox with career development reflections and resources and to connect in between episodes. Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: YYYMONAI8AICFIGC © 2026 AGV Services LLC. All rights reserved.

    Finding Your Way From Korea to the U.S. and Its Immigration System with Joe Kwon

  2. Oct 14

    Canadian Immigration 101 for International Students and Professionals with Veronica Sepehr

    In today’s episode, we reconnect with Season 1 guest Veronica Sepehr, Registered Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC), to talk about Canadian immigration and some of the key tips and information anyone interested in building a life and career in Canada post-graduation should know.  If you have been thinking about Canada as a potential destination for your next professional steps, this episode is your starting point. After that, you can find Veronica Sepehr on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasepehr/ and work with her through her company, Westdale Immigration by visiting its website https://westdaleimmigration.com/ and booking a consultation at https://tidycal.com/westdale. She also recently started a newsletter that you can sign up for at https://nain.kit.com  Keywords Canadian immigration, regulated consultants, international students, permanent residence, work permits, immigration process, Canada education, visa tips Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Canadian immigration and Veronica Sepehr 02:03 Difference between Canadian immigration consultants and lawyers 03:58 The process of becoming a regulated Canadian immigration consultant 06:54 Key considerations for international students moving to Canada 10:03 Choosing designated learning institutions and their benefits 12:00 Steps to prepare for permanent residence in Canada 16:59 When and why clients typically reach out for immigration advice 21:51 Common misconceptions and the value of early preparation 27:05 Patience, timing, and staying informed in the immigration process 29:59 Final thoughts on Canada's opportunities and misconceptions Lucky to Be Here is a podcast that showcases those who took the leap to build lives and careers across countries. They share their stories, their lessons, and their advice to show us what it means, and what it takes, to build a life and career abroad.  Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC. Visit our website https://www.agvservicesllc.com/luckytobehere to join our newsletter to receive our episodes in your inbox with career development reflections and resources and to connect in between episodes. Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: ZZ6YHENUCSA89QKZ, A4V6H0GQ4WRSHGWI © 2026 AGV Services LLC. All rights reserved.

    Canadian Immigration 101 for International Students and Professionals with Veronica Sepehr

  3. Season 2 Trailer

    Building Lives Abroad While Paying It Forward: Season 2 Trailer

    Lucky to Be Here is a podcast that showcases those who took the leap to build lives and careers across countries. They share their stories, their lessons, and their advice to show us what it means, and what it takes, to build a life and career abroad.  In Season 2, we are getting tactical and we expand into building more than our lives and careers… This new season features guests who decided to also build communities, resources, businesses and innovations to support other international students and professionals in different ways: from providing services that someone moving across countries might need to building spaces for community and trailblazing new discussions on what needs to be addressed systematically.  We are more than Lucky to Be Here. We also pay it forward.  Subscribe wherever you are listening or watching to receive our new episodes in your feed every other Wednesday.  Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC. Visit our website https://www.agvservicesllc.com/luckytobehere to join our newsletter to receive our episodes in your inbox with career development reflections and resources and to connect in between episodes. Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: WXIBOP9IRNSPILSB © 2026 AGV Services LLC. All rights reserved.

    Building Lives Abroad While Paying It Forward: Season 2 Trailer

  4. Sep 16 ·  Bonus

    Building Life Abroad: Lessons from Immigrant Stories in Season 1

    In our last bonus episode for Season 1, we share four key takeaways from the first season of Lucky to Be Here. Whether you are an immigrant, want to become one, or have no desire to ever move countries, these takeaways speak to our lives and experiences beyond borders and nationalities.  Because we can all learn from our stories.  Keywords immigrant stories, personal growth, community building, life transitions, resilience, cultural adaptation Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the season’s reflections 01:55 The journey of immigrant stories and shared insights 03:50 The importance of community and support networks 07:04 The internal transformation and feeling like a stranger 10:06 The in-between space of identity and culture 13:13 The significance of inner work and self-awareness 15:05 Community building as a universal process 16:57 The impact of our choices on others 18:49 Recap of key takeaways and closing thoughts Lucky to Be Here is a podcast that showcases those who took the leap to build lives and careers across countries. They share their stories, their lessons, and their advice to show us what it means, and what it takes, to build a life and career abroad.  Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC. Visit our website https://www.agvservicesllc.com/luckytobehere to join our newsletter to receive our episodes in your inbox with career development reflections and resources and to connect in between episodes. Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere to get access to behind-the-scenes updates and live chats with Analía.  Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces. © 2026 AGV Services LLC. All rights reserved.

  5. Sep 2 ·  Bonus

    Bonus episode: Two Coaches on Immigration, Changes and Homecomings with Mutiara Alam

    Mutiara is a certified coach and global educator who equips students and professionals to become visionary leaders through immersive global experiences and transformative coaching. Her methodology blends practical leadership training with deep cultural intelligence, translating potential into purposeful impact. During our initial conversation, we discussed her experience as an international student, the ins and outs of traveling around the world from Indonesia, her time as an international student in the United States, and her homecoming journey and more recent initiatives, including the Berani Penasaran program (courageously curious). In this episode, we dive deeper into these themes, discussing what it feels like to navigate uncertainty while also ushering others through their own homecoming.  You can find Mutiara on Instagram at @coachmuti. You can also learn more about her work at https://www.andselfcare.com/c-club and https://www.beranipenasaran.com Keywords personal growth, change, self-discovery, transformation, immigration, grief, intentionality, homecoming Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mutiara's journey of self-discovery 06:50 The nonlinear, spiral nature of change 07:56 Experiencing loneliness and internal transition 11:10 The importance of reflection and taking pauses 13:58 Coming back home and integrating past and present 16:57 The challenge of matching with current self in relationships 20:01 Creating spaces for deep, meaningful conversations 22:05 Grief and loss as part of change 23:06 Final thoughts on embracing change and self-growth Lucky to Be Here is a podcast that showcases those who took the leap to build lives and careers across countries. They share their stories, their lessons, and their advice to show us what it means, and what it takes, to build a life and career abroad.  Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC. Visit our website https://www.agvservicesllc.com/luckytobehere to join our newsletter to receive our episodes in your inbox with career development reflections and resources and to connect in between episodes. Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere to get access to behind-the-scenes updates and live chats with Analía.  Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces. © 2026 AGV Services LLC. All rights reserved.

  6. Aug 19 ·  Bonus

    Bonus episode: Proximity, Distance, and The Grief of Building a Life Abroad with Gisela de la Villa

    Lucky to Be Here is a podcast that showcases those who took the leap to build lives and careers across countries. They share their stories, their lessons, and their advice to show us what it means, and what it takes, to build a life and career abroad. In this bonus episode of Lucky to Be Here, we delve into the importance of our support systems for professional and personal milestones, and the emotional realities of building a life abroad across the board, with our guest Gisela de la Villa.  Gisela de la Villa’s journey from Argentina to establishing herself in Wellington, New Zealand with her partner was featured in our first season. But today, we talk more about what it means to build a community in her Kiwi home and how that directly impacts her professional life. We discuss this sense of proximity and how it shapes our career paths (including a career built entirely on referrals and endorsements).  But we also dive into the other side of the coin, the distance and the grief that shapes our experiences living abroad, and the essential part that communication plays in this process. From painful news and miscommunications to learning to integrate your loved ones in your daily lives even from afar, we cover the interpersonal and emotional parts that we rarely share but quietly carry with us.  Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC. Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere for free to receive our episodes in your inbox with career development reflections and resources and to connect in between episodes. Subscribers also get access to behind-the-scenes updates and live chats with Analía.  Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces. © 2026 AGV Services LLC. All rights reserved.

  7. Aug 5 ·  Bonus

    Bonus episode: What We Wished We Had Known Before Graduate School with Sebastian Vallejo Vera

    Lucky to Be Here is a podcast that showcases those who took the leap to build lives and careers across countries. They share their stories, their lessons, and their advice to show us what it means, and what it takes, to build a life and career abroad. This is the second part of our discussion with Dr. Sebastian Vallejo Vera, where we reconnect after his original episode in Season 1 on his experience pursuing an academic career across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.  In this episode, we cover advice for anyone interested in pursuing graduate school. We discuss the possible motivations behind taking this step, the main questions you should ask when deciding what universities and programs to apply for, and what going through graduate school (and beyond) has meant for both Dr. Sebastian and for Dr. Analía.  Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC. Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere for free to receive our episodes in your inbox with career development reflections and resources and to connect in between episodes. Subscribers also get access to behind-the-scenes updates and live chats with Analía.  Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces. © 2026 AGV Services LLC. All rights reserved.

  8. Jul 22 ·  Bonus

    Bonus episode: The Power Dynamics of Academia with Sebastian Vallejo Vera

    Lucky to Be Here is a podcast that showcases those who took the leap to build lives and careers across countries. They share their stories, their lessons, and their advice to show us what it means, and what it takes, to build a life and career abroad. In this bonus episode, Dr. Sebastian Vallejo Vera and I reconnect to continue a discussion that started in his episode of our first season. The guiding question is a complicated one, but very necessary:  What are the power dynamics shaping academia? During our discussion, we cover these power dynamics geographically across countries, and we also discuss what happens within universities. Who is responsible for addressing the shortcomings we see play out in higher education and beyond? What should more people know about the decisions that happen outside of the classroom? This is the first part of our discussion. If you have ever been curious about faculty’s perspective on career development and the decisions made (or not) about it, I encourage you to listen to Dr. Vallejo Vera’s perspective in this episode, and our opinions on who and what can be done. This is a particularly interesting episode if you are planning on going into graduate school, pursuing an academic career, or are already in this environment and want to think about how we can do better to support our colleagues.  Are you interested in applying for graduate school, or in your early years of a program? Subscribe to get our next episode, where we share plenty of advice for you! *** Lucky to Be Here is hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C. and produced by AGV Services LLC. Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/LuckyToBeHere for free to receive our episodes in your inbox with career development reflections and resources and to connect in between episodes. Subscribers also get access to behind-the-scenes updates and live chats with Analía.  Sponsored by Creative Colony Spaces. © 2026 AGV Services LLC. All rights reserved.

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Building life abroad, navigating life, career and immigration changes, and transitions while living abroad are all at the heart of Lucky to Be Here. Hosted by Dr. Analía Gómez Vidal, C.P.C., this podcast shares moving and living abroad stories from people who have navigated major life and career changes across countries. Hear their lessons and career advice for relocating to a new country, defining success internationally, and building cross-border success on your own terms. Join our newsletter for additional career support following our Career as PlaygroundTM approach at https://www.agvservicesllc.com/luckytobehere. This podcast is a production of AGV Services LLC.

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