Like many young professionals, Danielle decided to go off and explore a new place after graduating from Hope College. She packed her bags, left the country, and moved to the Dominican Republic where she spent the past eight years. After being away from her family for so long, she and her husband decided they wanted to move back to Michigan to be closer to her family living in the Grand Rapids area.
When Danielle and her husband shared their plan to move back to Michigan, her identical twin sister mentioned ReThink West Michigan as a great opportunity to connect directly with local employers about job opportunities. “It was a wonderful experience to meet new people and learn about different opportunities in West Michigan,” said Danielle. “I had a few leads, interviews, and even a job offer!” After entertaining various opportunities, she accepted a position as a Functional Learning Specialist.
Their transition home coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing about many additional challenges throughout their relocation. “It’s been fun to be home after being gone for a while! And it’s great to share the beauty of this area with my husband, who is from the Dominican Republic,” said Danielle. Regardless of the challenges brought by the pandemic, they are both enjoying being in West Michigan, experiencing the four seasons, visiting The Great Lakes, and being near family.
“Everything in my life has changed! From moving back home from a different country, living in a completely different climate, to entering a new business sector,” Danielle said. “I consider myself a lifelong learner, so it’s been a welcome transition.”
In her spare time, you can find Danielle mountain biking through beautiful trails with her husband and dad. You might also find her at The National Supermarket 2 picking up Latin American groceries and produce to recreate some of her favorite Dominican cuisines.
New in town? Check out Danielle’s recommendations:
- Doctor: The Grand Rapids Women’s Health Clinic
- Dentist: Dr. Bradley McCoy and Robinson Dental
- Shopping: Bridge Street Market
Interested in mountain biking? Visit our Sports, Leisure, & Water page to find trails in West Michigan.
Disclosure – Any reference to a person, organization, product, or activity in Hello West Michigan’s blog posts does not constitute or imply endorsement. These blog posts are used to share first-hand experiences of what it’s like to live, work, and play in West Michigan – not promote a specific person, organization, product or activity. Hello West Michigan does not receive compensation or other benefits for blog post mentions.
