[222-227] But they were impressed, I guess they were impressed that I was an engineer. Then again, they think and most of the children specifically don’t really understand that America is just a country. They kind of feel like it’s this magical place. And I showed them pictures, so I’m like, “Literally your city looks like my city. Your city actually looks cooler than my city I live in. I don’t even live in a big city.” So, they were kind of confused when I would talk about the things that I would make with my male engineering cohorts.
[228-247] However, I think I found a couple women who are in computer science, but I didn’t find any studying engineering. They talked about learning programming in their high school. But when I talked to them about what they were going to do after that they’re like, “Oh well I’m going to be a parent and I’m going to do…” Which I mean, I plan on being a parent too, so I understand that. But they didn’t really think about technology at all in their future. They think that you just go to school, you get this degree for honor, for respect, and then you don’t really do anything with it.
I didn’t meet anyone who has graduated from college, any women in technology. Most of the college students I was talking with couldn’t speak super well. So it’s hard to have deeper conversations about about how they felt their role was as a woman in their culture. Because it’s such an honor, shame culture. They don’t feel any shame about the way they’re being treated. And honestly it didn’t feel degrading at all. It’s like you are praised for doing the stuff that you do. Just like the guys are praised for being mechanics and all of that. It’s a very loving place. They like their roles and they don’t really want to change. While I was abroad, they said, “Hey just make sure you’re aware. Do not try to do any manual labor because you are not allowed.” And I was coming in with a fight or flight instinct. “I’m going to prove that I’m capable.” And then I get there, it didn’t feel mean at all. They were thrilled that I could pour tea or they were thrilled that I could do anything.