양다연, Олехова Алиса
Two Languages, One Humanity
Dayeon Yang and Alisa Olekhova
Two Languages, One Humanity
About us
About our project
Project Started: June 27, 2026.
This project is a collaboration between two high school students: Dayeon Yang (born on June 19, 2009) and Alisa Olekhova (born on December 6, 2008). One of us is from Seoul, South Korea, and the other is from Krasnodar, Russia.
This project aims to build empathy, understanding, and connection by exploring the common ground we share beyond language and culture. Although we live in different environments, we often share similar values, thoughts, and emotions.
We conducted an international survey from July 14 to July 26, 2026, involving 73 participants from a wide variety of nationalities and diverse cultural backgrounds. Our respondents include people from South Korea, Russia, the USA, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, China, New Zealand, Australia, and many other countries. By asking them questions in Korean, Russian, and English, we discovered a profound common ground and shared human values that we are excited to present to you.
A huge thank you to everyone from all around the world who took the time to fill out our survey and share their stories. This project wouldn't be possible without your voices.
This project is a collaboration between two high school students: Dayeon Yang (born on June 19, 2009) and Alisa Olekhova (born on December 6, 2008). One of us is from Seoul, South Korea, and the other is from Krasnodar, Russia.
This project aims to build empathy, understanding, and connection by exploring the common ground we share beyond language and culture. Although we live in different environments, we often share similar values, thoughts, and emotions.
We conducted an international survey from July 14 to July 26, 2026, involving 73 participants from a wide variety of nationalities and diverse cultural backgrounds. Our respondents include people from South Korea, Russia, the USA, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, China, New Zealand, Australia, and many other countries. By asking them questions in Korean, Russian, and English, we discovered a profound common ground and shared human values that we are excited to present to you.
A huge thank you to everyone from all around the world who took the time to fill out our survey and share their stories. This project wouldn't be possible without your voices.
Dayeon & Alisa
Hello, everyone, and welcome to our website.
We are two high school students who created this project to explore what unites people across different languages, cultures, and backgrounds. On this website, we will share four research articles and present the process and results of our project.
We first met online as language partners, helping each other communicate and practice our languages. Later, we decided to create a joint project and explore the values, emotions, and experiences that connect people around the world.
We also added photos of the most beautiful place in each of our home cities.
We are two high school students who created this project to explore what unites people across different languages, cultures, and backgrounds. On this website, we will share four research articles and present the process and results of our project.
We first met online as language partners, helping each other communicate and practice our languages. Later, we decided to create a joint project and explore the values, emotions, and experiences that connect people around the world.
We also added photos of the most beautiful place in each of our home cities.
By sharing personal stories and experiences, we aim to highlight universal human qualities that unite us despite our differences.
Seoul, South Korea - Dayeon's hometown
All images used are from open sources for education purposes
All images used are from open sources for education purposes
.
Human kindness is like a quiet river that flows beneath the surface of our differences, giving life to everything it touches.
Krasnodar, Russian Federation - Alisa's hometown
All images used are from open sources for education purposes
All images used are from open sources for education purposes
Distribution of roles and responsibilities in our project
Dayeon Yang (Project Co-Founder & Co-author; led survey design, data analysis and website design)
- Original project concept and methodology design.
- Survey results compilation and organization.
- Google Forms creation, survey administration, and data collection.
- Lead author of research articles and core academic content.
- Survey data processing and anonymization.
- Brainstorming and project conceptualization.
- Contributed to website design.
Alisa Olekhova (Project Co-Founder & Co-author; Web Developer)
- Website creation, UI/UX design, and development (Tilda platform).
- Survey administration and data collection.
- Data analysis and reporting.
- Co-authoring and editing research articles.
- Data visualization and content formatting.
- Brainstorming and project conceptualization.
What is our project for?
We want to bring together the perspectives of people from different countries and show that we may have more in common than we realize.
- Different Languages, Shared ValuesDespite the geographical distance and language barrier, the lives of people from Russia, South Korea, the USA, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, China, New Zealand, Australia, and many other countries are rooted in the same core human values: strong family ties, stability and comfort, and personal growth.
- A Bridge Between Cultures Through TraditionsUnderstanding how similar our daily lives are, from warm family feasts to everyday traditions, helps us understand each other better and blurs the borders between different nations across the globe.
- Unity in DiversityOur project suggests that Asian, European, American, and Australian cultures have far more in common than it seems at first glance, thereby bringing our global community closer together.
Research & Reflective essays
Our Core Pillars
Humanity:
Beyond borders, laws, and cultures, we are all bound by the same core experiences: we love, we worry, and we hope. By focusing on our shared humanity, we want to remind everyone that we are much more alike than we are different.
Empathy:
True empathy means stepping outside of our own perspectives to look at the world through someone else's eyes. It is about active listening - seeking to understand another person’s thoughts and feelings in their own words, without judgment.
Beyond borders, laws, and cultures, we are all bound by the same core experiences: we love, we worry, and we hope. By focusing on our shared humanity, we want to remind everyone that we are much more alike than we are different.
Empathy:
True empathy means stepping outside of our own perspectives to look at the world through someone else's eyes. It is about active listening - seeking to understand another person’s thoughts and feelings in their own words, without judgment.
Privacy & Consent:
Participation in this survey was entirely voluntary, and respondents could withdraw at any time.
No personally identifiable information (such as names or contact details) was collected, and all data was fully anonymized prior to analysis.
For participants under the age of 18, only the textual content of their responses was retained.
Note on Data Methodology:
In the charts, data is calculated based on 'one category per respondent', making the total for each question equal to 73.
In the articles, the analysis is thematic, meaning a single response could be included in multiple categories.
The base number of participants for each metric is indicated alongside the data.
If there were no language barriers, what would you want to tell people around the world?
Honestly, our languages and lifestyles might be different, but deep down, we all love, get hurt, and try our best to keep going just the same. We’re way more alike than we think.
Wherever you live, you know hope, worry, and love, and that shared humanity is stronger than any border.
There are no bad nations, there are bad people.
Differences are something we need to enjoy and embrace.
Love yourself. Do the best you can to make yourself and those around you have better lives.
You are loved!
우리 짧은 인생인데, 서로 사랑하며 살아요.
다름을 인정하고 서로 이해하며 평화롭게 살았으면 좋겠습니다.
価値観や文化などの違いを理解し、尊重して優しく接すること。
Understand differences in values and cultures, respect them, and treat one another with kindness.
みんな違ってみんないい。
Всегда оставаться людьми.
Будьте добрее и старайтесь понимать чувства других.
Не теряйте человечность.
Что их всех кто-то любит, каждого по-своему… даже в моменты одиночества.
Быть добрее.
Любите себя и дарите любовь другим.
Чтобы люди стали немного добрее. Пожалуйста.
Любовь спасёт этот мир.
Война не даст вам счастья, месть не подарит вам богатства, насилие не принесёт любви.
전쟁과 차별 없이 모두 행복하자.
먼저 하고 싶은 말이 있다기보다 다 같이 친해지고 싶다.
개인이 가지고 있는 철학과 꿈을 마음껏 토론해보고 싶다.
서로의 다름을 이해하고 존중했으면 좋겠다.
Contact us:
If you have any questions or suggestions, please write to us! We will be glad to hear your feedback.
