Moving to Daegu, South Korea (hereafter Korea), to teach English was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I traveled throughout Asia, taught the most adorable children you'll ever meet, and made friends from around the globe. The Koreans I met were friendly, and South Korea is an exciting up-and-coming force in technology, entertainment, and music ("Gangnam Style," anyone?).

Leaving Korea was also one of the best decisions I have ever made.

My experience was largely positive. But I also sat next to a crying student and tried to comfort her after all the boys in her class called her the "mayor of Africa" for having slightly darker skin than the rest of the students. I watched my 28-year-old co-teacher (who is already smaller than I'll ever be) starve herself every day on a diet of black beans, grapes, and weight-loss shakes. And I saw high school students get handed pamphlets on plastic surgery as they left school.

Despite loving so many aspects of my life in Korea, I felt the culture's extreme emphasis on young women's appearance became too much to handle. When it was time to either renew my contract for another year or quit and go home, I knew I couldn't stay.