"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment." - Hilaire Belloc
In 2006, Jean-Marc Dedeyne left his corporate job at HP France to move to Los Angeles as an international student. He wanted to improve his English language skills, learn about the American way of doing business and eventually start his own. More importantly, he was in search of making meaningful changes in his life in order to add value to his own existence while possibly making a positive difference in the lives of others.
As soon as he arrived in the USA, he experienced a wide variety of both encouraging and negative feelings, such as excitement, surprise, happiness, loss of identity, anxiety, disorientation and confusion, while facing language, academic and integration challenges. He sometimes felt like a child. "Travelers never think that they are the foreigners. -Mason Cooley
Thankfully, some great people both from his university, UCLA, and off campus taught him the skills that I needed, showed him around, helped him adjust to the American culture, and inspired him. Some also provided him knowledge and methods for a better understanding of the ins- and- outs of running a business in this country, encouraged him to challenge the conventional thinking, and helped him discover and articulate him greater purpose.
He believes that the majority of international students in the United States face the same challenges. However, not all of them are lucky enough to receive the same attention, care and consideration - helping them to improve their experience, develop a better understanding of people of different backgrounds, or even get the tools needed to realize their dreams. For those people, he founded "U in the USA".
In brief, U in the USA assists international students with their career goals. U in the USA also supports them in getting settled in the USA, adjusting to the American culture and in building their networks, which will ultimately prepare them to succeed in the U.S. workplace.
"What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal." -Albert Pine
Jean-Marc Dedeyne
CEO and Founder
1-800-464-7681
