Our Mission is to love our international neighbors as ourselves.
We believe that the highest standard of service from one person to another was set forth in Jesus’ teaching to “love your neighbor as yourself.” But who is your neighbor? The world is coming to Nashville but most of us are blind to this fact unless we are intentionally looking for international neighbors.
Our Vision is to partner with sectors from all over the Nashville community including local churches and other faith-based groups, educational institutions, and community organizations so that Nashville can become the friendliest city to internationals in the country.
We want to show true hospitality to our international neighbors who have come here on a temporary basis. From the day they arrive at the airport until their departure we exist to welcome and provide support for them during their time in Nashville. We will do this by educating them about American processes, connecting them to the mainstream community, providing support in day-to-day necessities, and empowering them to be contributing members of the Nashville community.
Dan Eum is the Co-founder of Nations of Nashville and an ethnic specialist with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He is a 2nd generation Korean-American. His parents first immigrated to the U.S. as International Students where he was born. He has lived his whole life navigating between both cultures. He did both his B.A. in Asian History and M.Ed. in Elementary Education at the University of Maryland. He also holds a M.Div. from Southern Seminary. He met his wife Heather while at Southern and they married in 2011. Their first baby was born in September of 2012. His name is Zane.
Heather Sue Eum is the Co-founder of Nations of Nashville. She grew up in Las Vegas and Springfield, Illinois. She did her B.A. at Lincoln Christian College and then completed her M.A. in Intercultural Leadership at Southern Seminary.
International Students
Nashville is often referred to as “The Athens of the South” because of the large concentration of universities in this one city. This high concentration of universities has attracted many students from around the world. They are here on F-1 visas and J-1 visas. Our goal is to assist students during those crucial first weeks upon arrival. We want to help them adjust to life in America so they can be successful students and members of the Nashville community.
International Professionals Nashville’s economy is booming. It is one of America’s most dynamic regions for business. Over 150 major companies have moved to Nashville in the past decade. In addition, to being the country music capital it is also the nation’s healthcare capital. The healthcare industry in Nashville is hot, hot, hot. Thanks to the growing healthcare sector the IT companies have also benefitted. Nashville Rankings: Named No. 1 best place to live in America (Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, 2006). Multiple times as the nation’s No. 1 hottest city for business relocations and expansions (Expansion Management, 2005, 2006, 2007). One of America’s smartest cities (CNN Money, Aug. 2006). Among the 10 best places for business and careers (Forbes, May 2006). *Source: www.nashvilleareainfo.com These top multi-national companies in the U.S. have been turning to high-skilled international workers on temporary work visas (i.e. H-1b, L-1). It appears that in the coming years the number of international temporary workers in the U.S. is bound to increase. We are here to provide services to smoothen out their transition process to America and returning to their native homes.