Undergraduate / "Studying Spanish" - U of M Diversity Essay Question [12]

"We know that diversity makes us a better university - better for learning, for teaching, and for conducting research."
(U-M President Mary Sue Coleman)

Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan.

I need some help with this question, I've only been pondering it for a few days, but I would like some feedback, am I going in the right direction, does this answer the question?

I started exploring the world when I moved away from home. It was Pittsburgh, not Indonesia, but for me it was a jungle. Immersed in an entirely new environment-my world expanded. From then on, it became my mission to meet many faces and travel many places. So far I've learned it's not always about clothes, skin color, hairstyle, musical preference, or sexual orientation. Focusing on exterior differences blocks the ability to see the person on the inside. Everyone is unique; it's diversity that makes Earth a beautiful place, without it life would be lackluster. Looking beyond the surface lets me gain wisdom from every person I encounter. I think that language is an amazing gift to humanity and it the vast amount of languages spoken across the globe is stunning. Learning a foreign tongue can only open doors, and should be essential to any educational path.

Studying Spanish is one of the most rewarding experiences. Aboard a vessel at sea, under the Costa Rican sky, about to venture to an underwater world for the first time, my dive partner and I suited up. We shared our enthusiasm in a language not my own, my world broadened again. It's refreshing, experiencing new cultures, underwater and above. I was left Costa Rica with new experiences but most importantly a friend. Connecting with people across the globe is the only way the people of this world are going to co-exist. Trying new things and connecting with different people makes me a better person. I've learned to overcome language barriers, to play guitar, write poetry, wakeboarding, road tripped across country, helped an animal, fed the hungry, and I'm looking to continue expanding my mind, attending the University of Michigan will do just that. I am one of six billion and counting, but I know I am one vibrant fish in the sea.

Word limit-- 250

Undergraduate / under the Costa Rican sky - UofM Diversity Short Answer [8]

If anyone could read this and edit for grammar, spelling, punctuation I would really appreciate it. Any criticisms are also greatly appreciated, does the essay answer the prompt?

The directions state that the answer should be APPROXIMATELY 250 WORDS.

I have 288 words, is that going to be okay, should I condense more, should I add more, is the message clear? Thanks anyone who can help!! :)

Aboard a vessel at sea, under the Costa Rican sky, I was about to venture to an underwater world for the first time. My dive partner and I suited up; we shared our enthusiasm in a language not my own-my world expanded. Diversity connected us rather than divided; having to trust each other as scuba buddies established a bond that looked beyond borders.

Afterward, lunch was served; Sofia shared with me fresh carambola (star fruit) and we chatted about our lives. There was immediate connection; we both love coffee, she has a monkey-I have a cat, we both play the guitar, and neither of us watch much television. She taught me how to name the ocean life in Spanish and I attempted to describe snowflakes. Sofia and I are very different, she comes from a large Catholic family; I grew up in a liberal home with a single mother and two sisters, but conversation carried on as if we were childhood friends. Nobody would have guessed that we just met and lived 2,300 miles apart.

I realized that distance, skin color, and language shouldn't get in the way of friendship; amazing people are all over the globe just waiting to be discovered. With an open mind and heart the possibilities are endless. It's refreshing to encounter new cultures, underwater and above. I left Costa Rica with unforgettable experiences and most importantly a friend. Connecting with people across the globe helps people appreciate differences and co-exist peacefully. I want to continue opening my mind to new cultures and people, attending the University of Michigan will do just that. I am one of six billion and counting, but I am one vibrant fish in the sea.

Undergraduate / "I loved the water" - UM Short Answer, Issue of Local Concern [6]

Any advice and criticism will be greatly appreciated. Does the essay answer the prompt well? How about grammar spelling? Thanks so much in advance!!

Discuss an issue of local concern. Why is this issue important to you? How do you think it should be addressed? (approx. 500 words)

Growing up I loved the water; I think I learned how to swim before I could walk. I used to spend hours pretending I was a mermaid in Pinckney's Chain of Lakes. Summer was my favorite time of the year; being out on the water, summer breeze in my hair, out on the boat with my family. I've witnessed some of the most serene nature and breathtaking sunsets on the Huron River Chain of Lakes. I love everything about the Huron River Watershed; the smell of the water, ice-skating on winter's frozen lakes, the snapping turtles perched on the fallen trees, the sandy beaches, canoeing from Dexter to Ann Arbor; the river has been and will always be a significant part of my life. I want it to protected so it can thrive for many generations to come.

Not only does the Huron River Watershed bring exquisite beauty to South Eastern Michigan but also supplies drinking water for about 150,000 people. Unfortunately, like many of Earth's water systems, development, soil erosion, impaired water bodies, and non-point source pollution threaten the river. Since people are the source of most threats to our water systems we must protect them! Careless human behavior compromises our water quality and ultimately the health of local plant and animal species, including us. The majority of the pollutants found in the Huron River Watershed come from local residents. Runoff water from creeks and storm drains flows into our river, on its route it is polluted with fertilizer, pesticide, pharmaceuticals, oil, automotive fluids, and many other household products. Cleaning the bathroom, washing the car, or flushing medicine are all deemed harmless but in reality these common practices, without precaution, can pose threat to our local water sources. All these pollutants lead to too much phosphorus in the water systems, depriving the water of oxygen, and suffocating the plants and animals that live there.

People are the main source of pollutants found in the water; this means that everyone can do something to help clean up our beloved water source. I think the most important solution to this problem is awareness. Education is the best defense for cleaner water; more education means more people to fight for the protection of our water. Leading by example and getting the community involved is the best way to preserve our wonderful Huron River Watershed. I believe that most people would not choose a bright green lawn over clean drinking water. Alert neighbors to reduce, or better yet eliminate, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides on their lawn could create a positive impact in quality of our water. Urge friends and family to switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products and detergents; low to no phosphorus content. Wash the car at designated car washes and dispose of oil and other fluids properly. Teaching somebody else about the harmful effects of common pollutants have on our water source is the best way to protect them for the future.

The Huron River Watershed has been an important aspect of my life; spending time on the water has created lasting memories and I am grateful to live near such an amazing water source. I hope that the children of the future will be able to benefit from the Huron River Watershed as I have. Education and community involvement is the only chance we have to fight for clean water and keep the Huron River a thriving water system. Working together as a community and spreading the word about how to live greener so we can sustain our important fresh water sources.

Poetry / Mother Earth - 'You use me and abuse me'; Poem-Revisions [5]

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Over and over again
You use me and abuse me

You rip out my insides
and guzzle my thick ebony blood.

You Drag your industrial claws
Over my delicate organic skin.

You construct your concrete towers
And destroy my vivacious forests

What makes you so special?
Don't you see?

You are not the sun
But rather a very small speck in time

You weren't always this way
Back when we first met

You've changed
For the worse

It will never be the same
Hope is running out

You think you own me
Like you are here forever
But it was just yesterday I met you

And tomorrow you will be gone.

Poetry / What do you think, Life Poem - Trying a new style [4]

Trying a new style here...

Life

Tired.

Confused.

Lost.

Found.

For now.

Overload.

Monotony.

Change.

When.

Now.

Infinity.

Love.

Hate.

Perspective.

Subjective.

Seconds.

Decades.

Is it worth it?

Is what worth it?