Hannah
“To be a woman is to forge your own path and create your own happiness, despite the obstacles society throws down in front of you along the way.”
Hannah is goofy, fun loving, and radiates positivity. She is creative, kind, inquisitive, and adventurous. She is the kind of person that feels like home. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
H: My name is Hannah Skala, I am a 21 year old woman living in Victoria, BC. I'm currently completing my undergraduate degree in Sociology at UVIC. I truly enjoy working with people, especially children, and hope to continue my studies with a post degree for education in order to teach kindergarten. I love living by the ocean, exploring the beautiful island I get to call home, and spending time with my loved ones.
K: Describe or define yourself in your own words.
H: I have always been an outgoing person who is excited to make new connections and experience new things. I am emotional, I am tough, I am caring, I am intelligent, I am silly, I am hardworking, and I am always down for an adventure. I have a variety of interests that have allowed me to grow as a person. I care a great deal about the people in my life and put my whole heart into my relationships with my friends, boyfriend, and family.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
H: So far, I have led a very privileged life. This is something I am grateful for and try not to take for granted. When I was 16, I was chosen along with 30 other kids to partake in a service trip. It was organized by one of the teachers at my high school, who paired with a larger organization called Live Different. As a group, we travelled to Mexico to build two homes for two different families. Although this kind of trip has been criticized more recently as “voluntourism,” this trip had a huge impact on my younger self.
Without going into too much detail, I had my first and most intense experience of culture shock when I saw the kind of poverty these families were living in. The houses they lived in were made of scrap wood, cardboard and garbage bags. Even though the world had not been kind to them, the parents and grandparents in these families were some of the kindest people I have ever met — and the children were so care-free and playful. This put a lot into perspective. The rest of the trip was filled with laughter, tears, adventure, bonding, and learning. I will never forget how it felt to see those families in their new homes. This trip made me a more conscious human being; and I will never forget it.
K: What is your favourite thing about yourself?
H: My emotional intelligence. I have always been in touch with my own emotions and I feel like this has carried on into my other relationships, allowing me to thrive as a friend and companion. I am proud of my empathy — it has made me confident in my ability to be a supportive, loving, helpful, and non-judgmental friend, citizen, and partner.
K: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
H: You don't have to feel inferior because you don't fit the mold created within the school system. Just because subjects like math and science don’t come as easily to you, doesn't mean that you're not smart. You will soon see that there are so many types of intelligence that break free from society's definition of what it means to be “smart”. You will find so many subjects after grade school that you didn't even know existed, and that will challenge your intellectual side in the best way. The courses you take in university will give you a place to show your strengths and allow you to thrive and take advantage of new opportunities.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
H: Being a woman is the greatest thing in the world. There is so much that goes into it — strength, compassion, individuality, connection, heartache, intelligence, and so much more. To be a woman is to forge your own path and create your own happiness, despite the obstacles society throws down in front of you along the way.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
H: My mom. It seems pretty cliché but it's the truth. My mom is the perfect mixture of everything I want to be when I grow up. She’s strong and independent, soft and nurturing, smart and loyal. In my eyes she has always been the perfect mom — putting my health and safety first (even if she can be a bit of a worry wart), and giving my sister and I every opportunity growing up. She's always there to listen and always seems to have the perfect advice. Now that I'm older, I can see how similar we are, and I’m so grateful for the relationship that we have. I'm so happy that we can share with each other, laugh with each other, and be there for each other. I tell her that I love her everyday.