Andrew's Journey

Hello, fellow journeyers,

My name is Andrew, the heart and soul behind Make A Circle, and I’m delighted to share my journey with you.  

Over twenty years ago, I was standing where many of you are now - in South Korea, packing my bags for a journey to an English-speaking country. I was young, excited, and admittedly, a bit scared. Life in the United States, where I first landed, was far more challenging than I had imagined. The struggle to master English and understand an alien culture felt like trying to solve a puzzle in the dark. Despite my outward success, including a degree from Johns Hopkins University, the private battles persisted.

A turning point came when I moved to Canada and decided to take a holistic approach to my well-being. I started taking care of my physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational health. As a result, I didn’t just survive; I began to thrive.

These experiences shaped me into who I am today – an English coach, a cross-cultural expert, and a community builder. However, this transformation was hard-won, a result of countless lessons and years of perseverance. 

These lessons and experiences birthed the idea of Make A Circle. The vision was not just about language learning, but about creating nurturing and caring communities for newcomers in a new culture. Today, we are proud to be running a neighborhood community that embraces both Koreans and non-Koreans, providing a space where everyone feels at home.

But I didn’t stop there. I wanted to use my experiences to guide others through their journeys. The Thrive Program, a comprehensive course to master English and adapt to a new culture, was born out of this desire. However, Make A Circle's mission goes beyond language and culture.

Our vision is to create unique courses that focus on building community, sharing experiences, providing structured resources, and addressing practical, relevant topics. We are committed to empowering the marginalized and tackling subjects that may be overlooked elsewhere due to stigma, but are desperately needed. We are here to support each other and learn together in a safe, welcoming space.

Whether you're planning to move to an English-speaking environment or already living in one, I'm here to support, guide, and cheer for you. I invite you to join us at Make A Circle, be part of our thriving community, and make your dream of a confident, competent, and integrated life in your new society a reality.

Thank you for becoming a part of our journey. I'm eager to hear your story and be a part of your transformative journey.

Warmest regards,

Andrew Founder and English Coach, Make A Circle