Series Preface: Asian Media Access proudly presents “Calling America HOME” Series, inspired by the resilience and hope of immigrants and refugees from across the Asian diaspora who have rebuilt their lives in Minnesota. Through these stories, we invite readers to witness a legacy of survival, determination, and hope forged against impossible odds.

In this edition, we feature Daniel Men, passionate Product Designer in Minnesota.

Q1. Thank you for speaking with AMA. Can you begin by introducing yourself and describing your journey to Minnesota? 

Thank you so much for having me.

To stand on this soil, the land of opportunity, freedom, and hope, is something I cherish every single day. My heart goes out to the millions around the world who embark on perilous journeys, overcoming unimaginable hardships, loss, and sacrifice just to chase the dream of a better life. Knowing how much others endure to take even a single step here fills me with immense gratitude for my own path.

Hi, I’m Daniel Men, a passionate Product Design Engineer right here in the wonderful Twin Cities!

When I first arrived in United States, like so many immigrants, I was met with daunting obstacles, a steep language barrier and a world of culture shock. There were days I couldn’t express what I needed, ask for help, or converse with my classmates and neighbors. Having not completed high school initially, I jumped straight into the workforce, grinding long hours in warehouses by day and pouring my heart into ESL (English as a Second Language) classes by night.

Through it all, I carried an unbreakable “CAN-DO” spirit and a refusal to give up. That drive turned every challenge into fuel. Step by step, I went on to earn my GED, certifications in Concert Sound Engineering, Green Energy, Building Maintenance, Medical Devices, Commercial Photography. Associate of Applied Science in Industrial Model Making, Associate of General Studies, and ultimately my Bachelor of Applied Science in Prototype Engineering.

Minnesota embraced me, and giving back to this community is my greatest joy. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of Guiding Maple Grove High School students in robotics design and programming to spark their passion for technology. Collaborating with nonprofits in White Bear Lake and St. Paul to create life changing products for low-income families and communities in developing nations.

Right now, my main focus is continuing to use my engineering skills and personal journey to lift others up. By serving my community, I am constantly learning, connecting, and growing alongside the amazing people who make Minnesota feel like home.

Q2. Please share more with us – How did your own cultural identity evolve while working in supporting others? How has that work shaped your sense of belonging in both Heritage and American cultures? 

What a profound question, it touches the very heart of who I am today.

America is a magnificent tapestry of cultures, and living and working here in the Twin Cities, alongside people of so many different races, backgrounds, ages, and perspectives has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.

Early on, I realized that true connection comes from cultivating what I like to call a “Flexible Culture” mindset. Working in engineering and serving diverse communities taught me to meet people where they are with openness, empathy, and respect. This philosophy has allowed me to build incredible, meaningful bridges across every walk of life from students and local volunteers to industry professionals.

I proudly identify as Chinese, deeply rooted in my heritage, while fully embracing American cultural values. By recognizing the unique strengths of both worlds, I get to keep the very best of each and pass those rich, uplifting values down to the next generation.

Like many immigrants, I’ve navigated that unique space where folks in Asia view me through an American lens, while people here notice my roots. But I discovered a wonderful truth: true belonging comes from within. I am fully American, fully proud of my roots, and happily adapting to the vibrant world around me!

Holding onto my heritage gives me grounding, but opening my heart to both cultures has completely expanded my universe. Supporting others showed me that we don’t have to choose between our heritage and our new home. We get to weave them together into something stronger, healthier, and full of joy!

Q3. How do you balance cultural authenticity while making your work accessible to others who may not be familiar with your cultural traditions? 

That is such a thoughtful question, especially in today’s fast-moving, hyper connected world.

We live in an age where social media moves at lightning speed, and authentic cultural traditions can easily get blurred or lost in the noise. For me, balancing cultural authenticity with universal connection isn’t about slapping a label on what I create. it’s about letting the heart and quality of the work speak for itself first.

I like to think of it like hearing a great song for the very first time: First comes the melody: You fall in love with the tune or the emotion of the lyric before you even know who wrote it. Then comes the story: Once you love the music, you naturally want to discover the composer, their background, their culture, and what inspired them.

That is exactly how I approach my work and my bicultural journey. I bring my full self, my Chinese heritage, my American values, and my engineering mindset into everything I make. But I don’t force people to digest a cultural definition right away. I let the craft build the bridge. When people connect with the human story, quality, and passion behind what I create, it opens a welcoming door for them to learn about my roots, my values, and where I come from on a much deeper level.

My believe in Bicultural Harmony:

• Lead with Shared Humanity: Focus on universal values, care, excellence, utility, and heart. Quality transcends cultural boundaries.
• Patience Over Labels: True cultural understanding takes time. Allow people to discover my heritage organically through meaningful connection rather than rapid social media trends.
• Stay Grounded in Craft: Let my work reflect my personal blend of cultures naturally without worrying about fitting into anyone else’s box.

Understanding a multicultural person like me takes time, and that’s the beauty of it. By letting my work shine first, I create space for genuine curiosity, authentic cultural appreciation, and long-lasting connection.

Q4. You have accomplished so much from arriving in the States to becoming a cultural bearer. What were some of the pivotal challenges you faced in building your life in America?

Looking back on this journey fills my heart with so much gratitude!

When I first land in America, survival is all about receiving seeking help, finding guidance, and trying to navigate a world that feels completely unfamiliar. But the most transformative challenge of my life wasn’t just overcoming the language barrier; it was learning how to transition from being someone who receives help to becoming someone who gives back with open hands.

Adapting to life in America has been an incredible, lifelong masterclass. Every single day, I am learning and absorbing the beautiful values. The deep devotion to family, the open-handed generosity toward those in need, and the core belief that people are fundamentally kind. The incredible resilience to tackle challenges head on, the grace to learn from mistakes, and the wisdom to work smart, not just work hard.

Understanding these values wasn’t something that happened overnight. it has taken a lifetime of observing, sharing, researching, and actively participating in my community and I’m still learning every single day.

The hardest and most rewarding pivotal shift is realizing that giving is a practice that requires wisdom. It’s easy to throw hard work at a problem, but real impact happens when we work smart creating sustainable solutions, mentoring the next generation, and lifting up families so they can thrive on their own.

Minnesota is where I am spending the rest of my life. To go from a newcomer needing support to someone who helps design a better future for local students and families is the greatest honor of my story. I am so deeply grateful to call this place home, and I’m excited for every opportunity to keep giving back.

Q5. Love your statement “be grateful, CAN-DO attitude, never give up”.  Reflecting on that journey, what impacts do you hope to have on the next generation?

Looking back on every obstacle turned into an opportunity, my greatest hope for the next generation is that they realize life isn’t about what you accumulate along the way, but the rich, beautiful experiences you collect. Life presents challenges to all of us. it treats us all equally in that way. But the real magic happens in how we choose to respond and learn to genuinely enjoy the journey.

If I could pass down a blueprint for the future leaders, dreamers, and innovators following behind us, it would be this:

• Fill Your Life with Colors: Don’t be afraid to try new things, learn different crafts, and step into unfamiliar worlds. When you live with curiosity and passion, joy and smiles naturally follow.
• Work Smart, Think Smart: Hard work is the foundation, but strategy and innovation build the house. Approach problems with a calm mind, analyze carefully, and look for sustainable solutions that elevate everyone.
• Turn Gratitude into Action: Every step forward is a gift. Use what you learn to build tools, mentor others, and leave your community stronger than you found it.

My Ultimate Wish for the Next Generation: I want young people, especially those facing big hurdles, language barriers, or tough starts, to look at my path and know: You belong here, your dreams are valid, and with a “CAN-DO” spirit, you can shape a life full of purpose, creation, and joy.

I am so deeply grateful for my journey, for Minnesota, and for the chance to pass the torch to the incredible generation coming up next. 

Q6. Any final words for our readers?

If there is one thing my entire life has taught me, it’s that life is an endless, breathtaking journey of learning!

My love for understanding how the world works started when I was just a young boy. My dad brought home a foldable alarm clock, and driven by pure curiosity, I took the entire thing apart. I couldn’t put it back together, destroyed it, and received a very memorable ‘spank’ from my dad since he needed it for work. But that moment sparked something lifelong in me. From that day on, I vowed to learn how things worked from the inside out, taking notes, drawing sketches, and snapping pictures at every step. That early curiosity built the foundation for my reverse engineering skills, and to this day, I wake up every single morning with that same childhood excitement, eager to discover something new.

I used to think that after years in photography, art, and engineering, I had seen it all. But embracing continuous learning opened up an infinite new universe. I recently completed advanced training with Asian Media Access, earning certificates as an Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality Specialist, Digital Experience Specialist, Digital Marketing Specialist, and in Generative AI Fundamentals. Integrating AI into my daily life bridged every gap in my creativity. it breathed entirely new life into my work, supercharged my research, and expanded my vision beyond anything I previously imagined.

I am pouring this newly unlocked creative energy and AI technology into my award-winning adaptation of Journey to the West, bringing timeless cultural storytelling to life through cutting edge digital experiences.

I am currently collaborating with Asian Media Access to build a revolutionary 5D Immersive Lab (combining 3D visuals, motion, and environmental effects). We are creating a wellness focused center that leverages interactive technology and AI to offer comfort, healing, and relief for individuals navigating anxiety and mental health needs.

We know there will be challenges and hurdles along the way, but every obstacle only makes us stronger and more innovative. I am counting down the days until the grand opening of this center, and I can’t wait to welcome you all there.

To everyone reading: Never lose your curiosity, never leave an opportunity behind, and keep filling your life with color. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me share my story.