Reading Libère Jensen Ndacayisaba’s memoir, Transient Anchors: From Refugee Tents to Research Towers, proved a stark reminder of what life can throw at you at any given moment, and how human ingenuity and resilience can propel oneself out of hardship. The book begins with Ndacayisaba’s first plane ride. As he travels from his home in Burundi to California, he finds himself in new places with little connection to his home. Every person he meets acts differently from what he expects; instead of genuine smiles inviting further interaction like in Burundi, people gave mechanical smiles to indicate polite acknowledgment. Rather than greeting everyone, people in the States hardly greeted anyone—an offense that would lead to a stern talking to in Burundi. Funnily enough, as an American reading Ndacayisaba’s experience, I found myself confused at how you would greet everyone. You’d be standing at the airport terminal all day!