Melanie is from Ecuador and wants to share about a challenge she overcame in high school. She participated in the British English Olympics (BEO) competition despite being very shy. It pushed her out of her comfort zone but she made friends and learned about other cultures. The experience helped her grow from a shy student to more extroverted. In high school, she also led groups and their business project won first place. During the pandemic, she started a small jewelry business called Pucca.ec with her mother. Running her own business helped her grow more patient and feel independent. She is proud of what she has accomplished with her brand.

1. Hi! My name is
Melanie, I´m
from Ecuador
IE APPLICATION

2. A CHALLENGE I
FACE
When I was in high school I went to BEO
(British English Olympics) I was very shy
and a total introvert but this time I had to
get out of my comfort zone to achieve
some goals I had in mind.

3. BEO
Even though I was really scared to talk to
strangers, my determination was bigger than me. It
was something I had to do and eventually did. Not
only did I make friends that I’m still in touch with,
but I learnt to see the world from other culture’s
point of view. After the program ended, I had the
privilege to be one of the selected students to go
visit the city of Lima, Perú and have the chance to
earn a scholarship. This experience really made me
grow as a person and I went from being a shy
student to a full blown extrovert.

4. Unique Personality trade
I have always been a leader, continuing with my
experience in BEO. At the time of making the
challenges I always liked to organize what I
could. The school wasn’t the exception, the the
work groups I always saw everyone's skills to
see in which area they develop better.

5. Lidership
In my senior year of high school we had to
do business project, in which we won the
first place, I was the one leading the group.
It can be said I did a good job.

6. Personal
accomplishment
When the pandemic hit, I was very bored in my house
with my mom, we started to see some jewelry that was
trendy, it started for just ourselves but as time pass, I
created a small business call Pucca.ec (In the corner
you can see the logo) This was literally my baby and it
thought me so much and made me grow as a person.

7. Pucca.ec
I was a person with cero
to none patience, but
learning how to treat
the client and that
sometimes they will not
understand you, really
built me to a person
with SO much patience.
Working for my own
money was a feeling
that I have never
experience before but a
good one. I felt
independent even if I
wasn´t yet. I´m very
proud of my jewelry
brand, right know it’s a
project on wait till I
finish university.

8. Thank you!
Hope I can be part of IE
this September 23´