Diversity. It is a seemingly simple term used quite colloquially in speech and is constantly said as we move into an era of change, progress and initiative. But this 'simple term' is much more than nine simple letters; it is a mix of a variety of thoughts, perspectives and backgrounds in order to coexist with one another. Having attended a high school of 3,000 students, I have grown accustomed to meeting people from far different backgrounds and walks of life than my own. Over the last four years, I have befriended some of these individuals, learning that it is what makes us different that brings us together. All this time, I took this observation for granted, never really giving it an inkling of thought, until some recent experiences shed some light. Since then, I have realized not to simply accept the status quo, but to assess and explore the reasoning behind a cause. As I make the transition to becoming a college student, I have a keen interest in understanding the dynamics of an issue so that I can develop into a well-rounded individual.
This last summer, I thought the cruise I was about to step onto was going to be an ordinary vacation. In retrospect, however, labeling it ordinary was an error in judgment for many reasons. Most importantly, this trip consisted of nearly fifty members of my extended family, allowing me to meet and spend time with cousins, aunts and uncles that I had not seen in years. I quickly noticed that although we all belonged to the same family, many of us were actually not as similar as I thought we would be. The most striking gap was between generations, a divide that became increasingly evident. Far too often, light chat grew into spirited debates, which saw a vociferous exchange of strong opinions. In fact, our beliefs and perspectives of right and wrong were as different as day and night. Despite this dichotomy, I was not at all disappointed or discouraged from voicing my own opinions. Instead, these conversations encouraged compromise and conciliation as we willingly embraced our differences in order to appreciate each other's viewpoints. Whether it was due to chance or by design, the opportunities to pick the brains of my elders demonstrated the importance of seeing both sides of an issue.
Through my time spent as an active member and leader of community service and volunteer organizations such as HERO, A.D.A.P.T. and the Asian Club, I have been involved in an assortment of student-led philanthropic endeavors. I have seen how these clubs and interests groups serve as a forum to bring together students for a unifying cause. For instance, within the Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team, I have been at the forefront of organizing events that aim to spread awareness of ways to prevent the abuse of illegal substances. My participation in these extracurricular organizations underscores my ability to listen as well as learn. Anyone can take part in a fundraiser, but it takes an even stronger desire to be willing to understand a divergent perspective. Rather than shying away from those types of situations, I welcome them with open arms because I know how to foster the beneficial exchange of ideas. Four years later and I do indeed feel four years wiser as my high school experiences have enabled me to take on challenges that have demanded moving beyond my comfort zone and becoming a selfless person.
When I consider what it means to be diverse, it helps to refer to the character and actions of the mythological Greek war hero, Odysseus. The restless and noble King felt his travels impacted him in ways he could never have fathomed. Every person he met, every fight he participated in, every challenge he lost, contributed to the person he had become. It is with that backdrop in mind that leads me to believe that we are similarly constructed ï a cumulative summation of our experiences and interaction as well as our successes and failures. Yet, if we choose to remain stationary, we no longer contribute or add value to ourselves. By taking on vast journeys, Odysseus not only broke through the barriers holding him back, but he also gained invaluable insights that expanded his horizons. Likewise, the desire to be diverse emboldens us to become a part of something bigger than ourselves. Through a demanding college curriculum, full of novel experiences and rewarding challenges, the opportunity to build character and expand my outlook will exist, leading me to become a better-rounded individual.
Thanks :)
This last summer, I thought the cruise I was about to step onto was going to be an ordinary vacation. In retrospect, however, labeling it ordinary was an error in judgment for many reasons. Most importantly, this trip consisted of nearly fifty members of my extended family, allowing me to meet and spend time with cousins, aunts and uncles that I had not seen in years. I quickly noticed that although we all belonged to the same family, many of us were actually not as similar as I thought we would be. The most striking gap was between generations, a divide that became increasingly evident. Far too often, light chat grew into spirited debates, which saw a vociferous exchange of strong opinions. In fact, our beliefs and perspectives of right and wrong were as different as day and night. Despite this dichotomy, I was not at all disappointed or discouraged from voicing my own opinions. Instead, these conversations encouraged compromise and conciliation as we willingly embraced our differences in order to appreciate each other's viewpoints. Whether it was due to chance or by design, the opportunities to pick the brains of my elders demonstrated the importance of seeing both sides of an issue.
Through my time spent as an active member and leader of community service and volunteer organizations such as HERO, A.D.A.P.T. and the Asian Club, I have been involved in an assortment of student-led philanthropic endeavors. I have seen how these clubs and interests groups serve as a forum to bring together students for a unifying cause. For instance, within the Adolescent Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team, I have been at the forefront of organizing events that aim to spread awareness of ways to prevent the abuse of illegal substances. My participation in these extracurricular organizations underscores my ability to listen as well as learn. Anyone can take part in a fundraiser, but it takes an even stronger desire to be willing to understand a divergent perspective. Rather than shying away from those types of situations, I welcome them with open arms because I know how to foster the beneficial exchange of ideas. Four years later and I do indeed feel four years wiser as my high school experiences have enabled me to take on challenges that have demanded moving beyond my comfort zone and becoming a selfless person.
When I consider what it means to be diverse, it helps to refer to the character and actions of the mythological Greek war hero, Odysseus. The restless and noble King felt his travels impacted him in ways he could never have fathomed. Every person he met, every fight he participated in, every challenge he lost, contributed to the person he had become. It is with that backdrop in mind that leads me to believe that we are similarly constructed ï a cumulative summation of our experiences and interaction as well as our successes and failures. Yet, if we choose to remain stationary, we no longer contribute or add value to ourselves. By taking on vast journeys, Odysseus not only broke through the barriers holding him back, but he also gained invaluable insights that expanded his horizons. Likewise, the desire to be diverse emboldens us to become a part of something bigger than ourselves. Through a demanding college curriculum, full of novel experiences and rewarding challenges, the opportunity to build character and expand my outlook will exist, leading me to become a better-rounded individual.
Thanks :)
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