Introducing Ephar, 19, a Business student at the University of Southern California!
1. What are you passionate about?
Salam! I am currently a business student at the University of Southern California. My academic interests revolve around global issues and human rights. However I hope to use my passion for entrepreneurship to create an Uyghur fashion line, and raise awareness by spreading the beauty of Uyghur culture.
2. What inspires you the most?
I grew up under the shadows of my father’s political activism and attended numerous protests as a child and felt the need to stand for injustice. My identity as an Uyghur has shown the realities of oppression, but it has also inspired me to be proactive in everything I do.
3. What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt recently?
A comforting quote I came across was, “I wish I could tell you it gets better. It doesn’t get better. You get better.” I learned recently that, even when a situation is horrible, that does not mean that you’ll have a horrible life as a result of that. Instead, you will rise above it and be better.
4. What are your short term goals?
My university has a large East Asian department; considering USC has strong ties with China, I hope to meet with professors in the department and create seminars to raise awareness for the East Turkistan cause. I hope that USC makes a stance on the Uyghur issue.