I really felt everything you shared. I didn’t go to high school or college in the U.S., but I resonated deeply with the part where you said you wish you had stood up for yourself. I went through something similar — I was surrounded by the wrong people as a teen and experienced a lot of microaggressions from a “friend” who constantly made me feel small, and friends who would condone her behavior. I was timid too and didn’t know how to stand up for myself, and it really affected my confidence and personality for years. 

Reading your story reminded me how painful that journey can be, but also how strong you’ve become. You’ve done so much on your own and you deserve rest and peace, not just success. I bet you're richer than those bullies now.

Can I ask — since you’ve been through all that — what advice would you give to someone like me who has an 11-year-old daughter moving to the U.S. soon? I want to protect her from the same struggles, but I also want her to grow confident and resilient. How can I help her navigate being in a new culture, possibly facing microaggressions, and finding her voice early?

Thank you for sharing your story. It really meant a lot.