In this episode of Around 20, we dive deep into the cultural contrasts in beauty standards between East and West, reflecting on how these ideals shaped their confidence and self-perception.

🌟Highlights:

• East Asian Beauty Ideals: From the obsession with “white and thin” to K-pop-inspired aesthetics, the hosts share personal anecdotes of striving for perfection under societal pressures.
• Western Perspectives: The conversation explores how Western beauty embraces individuality and body confidence, often celebrating natural features like freckles and sun-kissed skin.
• Cultural Contrasts: Carina and Yuye unpack differences in skincare, makeup trends, and fashion—highlighting how East Asia values harmony and refinement, while the West prioritizes self-expression and comfort.
• Personal Growth: Both hosts reflect on their journeys toward self-acceptance, balancing Eastern influences with Western openness since moving to Canada.

Joining the discussion is Fiona, a former Business Marketing student now working in IT, who shares her experience navigating beauty ideals as a Chinese woman living abroad. Together, they discuss overcoming struggles and redefining self-image through cultural exploration and personal growth.

Tune in for an insightful, heartfelt conversation on the power of beauty standards and how they shape us.

Moving to a new country is a bold adventure, but it often comes with challenges like loneliness, self-discovery, and trying to fit in. If you’re living far from home and figuring things out, you’re not alone—and this podcast is for you!

Join Yuye, Carina, and our friends as we share personal stories and have open conversations about:

• Navigating loneliness
• Building genuine connections in a new environment
• Embracing growth in the face of uncertainty

We’re international students in Canada who understand what it feels like to start over in a foreign place. Through our experiences, we aim to offer comfort, insights, and a sense of community.

✨ Why listen?
Whether you’re struggling to find your rhythm or searching for a sense of belonging, we’ll be right here walking this journey with you. You’re not alone, and together, we can navigate this stage of life.

🎧 Subscribe now!
Find Around 20 on Spotify, Apple Music, or your favorite podcast platform. Let’s figure things out, together.

In this heartfelt episode of Around 20, hosts Carina Li and Yuye Jiang dive into the intricate world of friendships as an international student. Ever wondered how to build genuine connections in a new country? Or why some friendships stick while others fade with time? Carina and Yuye explore these questions, opening up about the reality of “situational friendships”—those bonds formed out of shared spaces that can either blossom into true connections or simply drift away. Through candid stories, experiences, and a bit of nostalgia, they discuss how their old friendships have evolved since moving to Canada and share advice for newcomers seeking their own social circles. This episode also features guest insights from Jenny, who, with over a decade in Canada, has learned the art of finding belonging despite life’s transitions.