Ela

What does life as a woman or girl look like in your country / city / town / village? Any issues / challenges / exciting milestones?

Girls in my country are actually well educated and we don't have serious misogyny issues like in the Middle East. But lookism is a serious problem and women are more likely to be subject to it.

There was this famous quote (from an anonymous person) saying girls shouldn't be over 50kgs (about 110 lbs I think) and it  went viral on social media. Many guys agreed to it, and even some girls did, too. No one says that now, but people still cringe looking at overweight girls and fat-shame celebrities even when they are underweight... And this led many girls to do plastic surgery.

Many girls in Korea have plastic surgery when they are teenagers. It is also considered a graduation gift from parents. They also go on a diet even when they don't need it. The thing we hear and say the most often is "I need to lose weight. I'm so fat". Most girls in my country are skinny and pretty. We are pressured to do something to change our appearances if we are not.

What would you like the world to know about YOU? What life experience, challenge or achievement do you want to share?

I started learning English when I was 6. I followed my dad who went to California for work and stayed there for a year. I went to a junior high and at first, I had a hard time adjusting. Sometimes in classes, I couldn't even understand what teachers where saying. But I really wanted to get into a foreign language high school in Korea, and if I wanted to get in, I had to get As in English. So I worked hard and not only did I get As, but I also became one of the best students in class.

What are you most passionate about and what are you doing with that passion?

I love learning languages. I aspire to be a linguist or a diplomat someday. I've always loved reading and writing. To get to my dream job, I am now attending a foreign language high school in Korea. We learn English 10 hours(classes) a week, a foreign language besides English (for me it's French) 10 hours a week. I also do a volunteering work. I walk around the tourist attraction places and help foreign tourists who needs help with directions and more.

How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?

My English tutor helped me to get to where I am today. She wasn't just a tutor. I consider her as a friend or a big sister or a life mentor. She taught me for about 5 years. Not only did she teach me English, but she also taught me valuable life lessons and gave me advice when I was frustrated.

Describe yourself in one word: "I am...

Unique.

Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..."

To be a girl or a woman today, is to have potentials to become a powerful and extraordinary person.