Authentic Journeys Cross- Cultural Coaching

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Testimonials

Additional and Newest Testimonials on my Blog- Click here.

Maintaining my Indian Identity as an NRI Abroad
I reached out to Jennifer when I joined college in Rochester, NY. Being the only Indian in my college and the realization about the difference between US and Indian culture made me wonder how I would fit in the crowd?? Every day I encountered new problems and was overwhelmed by it.

I knew Jen through emails first and eventually we met and talked about a whole lot of issues. It is very easy to open up with Jen, who has a way with people. She is patient and non-judgmental. Having been in India and being married to an Indian, who is also an American, I knew she would be the best person to answer my innumerable questions.

Jen helped me out with the language, the difference between pronunciations ( Indian and American), resume tips and what not. One particular thing I remember is how I didn't want to be Americanized and how dear my Indian roots were to me. There was a huge conflict in my mind whether to change my accent and make it more American. I didn't want to, that was the dilemma. However, Jen made me understand the importance of doing so, in-order to have a good career and to make myself heard. Life is about making compromises to achieve your goals and dreams. You have to adapt if you plan to live in a foreign country and she made me realize that.

She has sent me tons of interview tips and articles that has helped me in my job search. What I find most endearing in Jen is a curiosity to know different cultures and how she assimilates information to help people adjust to life in US, I should say she is a powerhouse of knowledge! When I reached out to her about my job search blues, everyday she used to send me information pertaining to mastering the art of job interviews. I have no clue how she gets the time to do all this. I would conclude by saying this: She is a true life coach!! She has experience, exposure and tons of friends from cultures worldwide. She is a great friend who listens patiently, takes time and effort in getting to know you and your needs.

Sajitha Veettilakath

Helping Us Balance Unity and Diversity in Our Cross-Cultural Relationship
"Hello everybody, it's my deepest joy to and honor to share my review about my coach Jennifer Kumar. She is indeed doing an excellent job as a life coach and she is the one having the knack to to balance unity in diversity. She is indeed doing a great service to society by helping people adjust their lifestyle changes. When we go from US to India or India to USA as per the climate changes, food changes, we see so many different people different faces, different accent but yes when we have a silent guardian to help us and our mind adjust to these changes we really need a Life Coach.

Well talking about my experience, as I mentioned before that I am Indian and for now live in India. My wife is from USA having Puerto Rican Heritage. We met had online and we were having a diversity of mindsets, but, yes with the help of my coach things were much better and easy. I still remember that incident when I had lost my temper when I came across news of radio tagging of Indian students in USA. I was very angry and made my outrageous reaction on my wall. I got angry and said things to my wife. Then it was my Coach Jennifer [who] read my posts and status and in a very understanding and patient manner explained to me the media hype created over such masala news and helped me to get a broader perspective of this issue that I should not generalize things as media just plays a show for 30 minutes repeating telecast and controlling [our] mind. Jennifer has many times helped my wife understand the cultural diversity.

Living in India for all my life, when I was about to meet Linda for the first time in my life, it was again Jennifer who helped me by giving me courage in every way, and thereby helping me understand US Culture, food, accent and yeah even way of living and way of thinking.

Jennifer again I appreciate what you did for meet and give my best wishes for this beautiful Authentic Journey of Cultural Mentoring and proving that unity in diversity exists. [sic]

Warm Regards
Nachiket & Linda Baride.

Transition to Civilian Life after Army Service
Jen is genuine and really assists you in exploring your career options and life goals. Although her focus as stated on this site is cultural transition and assisting those learning about the diversity of the world, you would not think that assisting a retired Army person is part of her repertoire but it is. The military is not your average everyday job or life style, it is a way of life like no other, and therefore is in a sense is a culture all its own. When a person leaves the service either by retirement or just getting out when your contract is over requires a new approach to life thus a culture change. After 20 years of service to this great nation, it was very difficult for me to transition into the real world or should I say the demands of civilian life. Changing from a very demanding and ego driven lifestyle to a much laid back and relaxed life style was very scary and difficult. Barking orders and demanding people to do what you want when you want it done is not how things work in the civilian world. Then realizing overnight you can no longer be that way because civilians do not respond to that type of leadership is an adjustment that takes time and something that does not happen overnight after all it was 20 years in the making.

She unlocked some doors or made me realize that I had other interest and or skills that I did not realize or maybe just overlooked. I was used to one track and did not take the time to fully realize my capabilities and or talents as she so graciously told me. Although, the process she puts you through is long and tedious, it is well worth the effort because the rewards far out way the time spent. When you sign up for this you must take an honest look at yourself and be prepared to be humbled. Do not try to make yourself out to be something you are NOT! LET the PROCESS work, it will open up ideas and or areas you never thought about. If you have any inclination about changing your career path you will definitely benefit from this process and let us not forget to mention Jen's talents. She has an extraordinarily insightful intuition, she really has the ability to understand the real you even if she has only meet you once or never at all. Jen again thanks for your time and unwavering patience with me.
-Jeffery Reynolds
US Army Retired

Adjusting to College Life & Culture:
Sending your child off to college can be an overwhelming experience, especially when there are no rooms available in the dormitories and your 18-year old son has moved in and is managing his first apartment in an unfamiliar city. This was the situation that we found ourselves in when our youngest went to college in Rochester, NY. Jennifer helped not only navigate the city of Rochester but also navigate all the academic details of being a full-time college student. Her assistance with managing time and figuring out how to break large projects into smaller steps for our son was invaluable. Additionally she was reliable as she was efficient in her communication with all parties involved. She would routinely e-mail not only providing updates but also asking relevant questions regarding the adjustment to college life. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs assistance in adjusting to a new culture or situation.
-Susan Durnford
Mother and Educator

Getting Used To Daily Life in America and American English:

"Jennifer Kumar is my tutor and my best friend. When our family came to the U.S.A , we had no information about Rochester and U.S.A and did not know what to do. We were very nervous and worried about our daily life. I met Jennifer through Literacy Volunteers. Jennifer continues to teach me things that are useful and help us. After the lessons, she makes YouTube videos to help me remember some lessons. She has taught me how to introduce myself to other people, talk with the cashier in the grocery store and how to purchase items in the deli, how to pay the rent, order coffee in the coffee shop, and how to improve pronouncing American sounds like L and R. We are relieved very much.
I feel confident that she is a great and reliable woman. I am happy to meet her!
I have recommended Jennifer to my friends, and I recommend anyone who wants lessons to contact her."
-Chiyomi Yukata

Chiyomi has wrote her testimonial in English and Japanese. The Japanese version is in the image to the right. Arigato gozaimasu, Chiyomi. :)

Moving Through Life Transitions: 
"Jennifer has a way of slowing down time, and creating a safe place to explore possible next steps in places in my life where I feel stuck. The next steps, instead of coming from her, end up coming from inside of me, as she guides me in a gently supportive dialogue with myself by asking guiding questions and offering insightful observations about what she's hearing me say and what she's seeing in my bodily responses as ideas arise. I experience satisfying movement around issues that have confounded me prior to our sessions together, and I experience a confidence in using the new skills we've practiced, with a new hopefulness as I imagine being able to better care for myself in the face of future challenges.
-Karen M. Preschool
Teacher/Business Owner/Single Mom

Culture Consult on Short Notice:  
"Jennifer was ready on short notice to provide me with an oral primer on Indian culture. It gave me lots of pertinent information in a context which really served me. She sensed immediately what I needed and delivered!"
-Wayne Caskey
Executive and Team Coach
The Caskey Consultancy, Executive Coaching

Fitting In and Embracing New Life:

I just wanted to say that Jennifer Kumar is an excellent mentor/coach and friend for anyone who is acclimating to the US and/or venturing to a new country and culture. She has, first-hand, experience and knowledge on overcoming the hurdles and challenges of adjusting to the everyday functions of life in a new country. She knows what it means to "embrace the new", as well as, maintain the customs of an individual's native culture. She is an extremely calm and patient person and she has the natural ability of making everyone she spends time with very relaxed and accepted. I would recommend anyone that is struggling to "fit in" with their new surroundings and/or preparing to move to a foreign land to check out Jennifer's services...it will be a "step in the right direction" on your personal "authentic journey". :>)‎
Jennifer, I just wanted to let you know that it's been so wonderful working with you. You have so much experience and information to offer people!! :>) I certainly believe that anyone traveling an "authentic journey" will, without a doubt, benefit, tremendously, from your mentoring expertise!!
- Giselle Buonomo
Trusted Spiritual Confidant
The Self Realization Foundation

Understanding South Indian Cuisne and Culture:
It gives me great pleasure to say that Jennifer has given a detailed and comprehensive review of "Classic Tamil Brahmin Cuisine" that I have co-authored with Viji Varadarajan. She has taken time and detailed analysis to write about our book. It is interesting to see how a person, not from the same cultural milieu, can use the recipes with ease. It is truly a validation of our aim to make Tamil Brahmin Cuisine a easy and convenient cookery routine to follow. She has also made us think about some of the methods that are not easily understood by users unfamiliar with the processes. We will take her suggestions and incorporate them in future editions.
Thank you Jennifer for your meaningful and value adding inputs of our book.
With regards,
- Padmini Natarajan

Thank you, Padmini for your kind and thoughtful words. Feel free to read more of her thoughts at her blog, Padmum's Pen, the sister blog of Authentic Journeys, Alaivani (her profile), and through her editing and cultural tips throughout the wonderful cookbook, Classic Tamil Brahmin Cuisine.

Feel free also to read my reviews of the cookbooks mentioned in the review by clicking here.

 
Updated September 2011