MEET GEORGE

What have you learned so far in college that you didn't expect?

I've been a bigger person for the majority of my life. Compared to all the other Asians back at my home church, I've always been the biggest. It was probably the worst in high school, when many adults in my church would comment on my weight or tease me about it. And while I know it was good fun, by no means did it boost my self confidence...

I began college feeling pretty bad about myself. Everyone else just felt more attractive than I could ever be. I happened to stumble upon AAIV and I joined a little out of desperation. I was so lonely I just needed to be around other people. But even then, I still felt very similar to how I grew up feeling, with everyone being very good looking, and me being me. 

But this feeling quickly changed. When I started to engage more with the community, I realized that everyone in this community was so nice and accepting of who I was. It felt almost unreal. I have never had a community that I could feel so comfortable around.

However, by no means does this mean everything is fixed or that I have truly accepted myself for who I am. Days can still be rough. Some days I still don't even want to leave my bed... But life has become so much better. Thanks to the people in AAIV, I am reminded that I am LOVED just the way I am and that I'm more than I ever thought I was.