"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.
"Neomuneomu meotjyeo nuni nuni busyeo!" sang Danny as we walked down the halls. I stared at him oddly. A mixture of bewilderment and confusion clouded my face. His mouth was moving but I couldn't understand a single word coming out. I was pretty sure my friend had gone insane.
"Danny, what are you doing?"
"I'm listening to Gee the #1 song in Korea!"
His answer only further perplexed me. Although he was fluent in three languages, Korean wasn't one of them. Why would he listen to something he can't even understand? I didn't get it. As the day passed however, my curiosity only swelled. I went home, went onto YouTube...and listened. In the span of 3 minutes 55 seconds, I was caught. I was entangled in the same web that had captured Danny. I don't know if it was the catchy melody, the angelic voices or simply the nine cute girls, but Gee soon became the number one played song on my iPod.
Gee taught me the importance of new experiences and the value of other cultures. More importantly however, it deemphasized the barriers placed by language. I didn't understand a single word of Gee, but it still opened up a new culture to me. My inability to comprehend Korean did not inhibit my enjoyment of it. Through Gee, I recognized that even through verbal differences, we could still communicate our culture to one another. Because of my experiences, I can offer U-M a receptive and open mind. I can not only provide my own ethnic traditions but also amiably receive the customs of others, augmenting the overall diversity of U-M.
Thanks for reading. Rip it apart please!
