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 feel myself very lucky to have grown up with more than one culture. My family is Indian, but we came to the United States three years ago. As we arrived in New York, I immediately became aware of how different everything was. My first day of school was a truly amazing experience. As I didn't know American English very well, it was hard for me to talk with people, but everyone was so nice that they helped me understand the lectures and even told me about the various activities the school had to offer. Unfortunately, once I finally got used to going to school in New York, my dad was transferred to Michigan. My new school in Canton, PCEP, had a completely different atmosphere than the one in New York. I found more students with diverse background in PCEP than in anywhere else I had been. It was hard for me to make friends at first since I came in the middle of the year, but people in my classes were amiable that I began making friendship with them. We learned about each other's culture and became so close that we strove to help each other through any situation. Many of my classmates came to me for help, which only made our bond grow stronger. PCEP also offered many clubs where one could learn about the culture and lifestyle of different people. It has always been my passion to learn about different cultures, so I joined many organizations where I met many new people and made many new friends. Throughout life, these experiences have given me an ability to relate with people from different backgrounds because I know what it feels like to be thrown into a completely new world and have to find some common ground with people around you.
I feel myself very lucky to have grown up with more than one culture. My family is Indian, but we came to the United States three years ago. As we arrived in New York, I immediately became aware of how different everything was. My first day of school was a truly amazing experience. As I didn't know American English very well, it was hard for me to talk with people, but everyone was so nice that they helped me understand the lectures and even told me about the various activities the school had to offer. Unfortunately, once I finally got used to going to school in New York, my dad was transferred to Michigan. My new school in Canton, PCEP, had a completely different atmosphere than the one in New York. I found more students with diverse background in PCEP than in anywhere else I had been. It was hard for me to make friends at first since I came in the middle of the year, but people in my classes were amiable that I began making friendship with them. We learned about each other's culture and became so close that we strove to help each other through any situation. Many of my classmates came to me for help, which only made our bond grow stronger. PCEP also offered many clubs where one could learn about the culture and lifestyle of different people. It has always been my passion to learn about different cultures, so I joined many organizations where I met many new people and made many new friends. Throughout life, these experiences have given me an ability to relate with people from different backgrounds because I know what it feels like to be thrown into a completely new world and have to find some common ground with people around you.
