Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experience and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan.
I have 2 essays, please tell me which is better. Thank you.
1
Although many Indian students lived around us, we seldom interacted with each other. Their eccentric family traditions seemed alien to Chinese.
To our surprise, on Racial Harmony Day in Sigapore, the ten Indian girls in our class all dressed in Cheongsams, Chinese traditional costumes. They came to greet us and expressed their admirations to Chinese culture.
They passed us sarongs(Indian costumes) and said " You may try ours, perhaps you will turn to like Indian cultures too."
Their deed warmed our hearts tremendouly. Looked at us in the mirror: sarongs, huge gold Jewelries and the red dot on each forehead ï we were just like Indians except for our lighter complexions. Suddenly I realised that the world could be so colourful with so many different costumes and it could be so happy to embrace others' culture. The icy division between our two groups was broken.
Coming from China, I had a hard time fitting in initially. However, the more I explored about Singapore's multicultural society, the more I valued diversity. In Michigan, there will be students with different roots and different thoughts, and I would like to spearhead programs to promote interaction between us. By sharing my experiences in Singapore and my upbringing in China, I will show them that the lack of communication and consideration is the main reason for stereotypes and misunderstandings among different groups. Then I will encourage students to join other cultures' society to promote the exchange of ideas and histories. Students' perceptions and relationships will change, as a result of a new understanding of each other
~~For essay 1,the last para,do you think I digress from the real question?
The question is not really asking how you would promote diversity, but how you would contribute to it. It's asking: what makes you different. I am really worried about this. Thank you!~~
2
At the age of 15, I left my hometown in China to study in Singapore. I was naturally drawn to and made friends with other Chinese students at the school because we shared the same language and culture.
One day, we were sitting in a canteen eating a pork dish when a group of Malay students stood up and began verbally attacking us; they were offended by us eating pork. We were shocked, and retaliated by arguing with them. It was an argument we could not seem to resolve, so we took our case to the school office. There, our mentor explained to us that the Malay students were Muslims, and that eating pork was forbidden in their faith. It seemed bizarre to us, as we had no understanding of Islam. But once we had heard the history behind it, we began to understand and respect their commitment to their faith. The quarrel actually led to a lasting friendship between our two groups, and we continued to learn about each other's cultures throughout our time in Singapore.
What can I contribute to diversity? I am Chinese. I grew up in an environment that is very different from most of the world. I am keen to hold onto my own culture, but equally excited to embrace others. We all think differently depending on our roots and life experiences; I look forward to being challenged intellectually, and challenging others in return. Diversity is something to be lauded, and since that experience in Singapore, I have been and will continue to be proactive in promoting diversity in whatever way I can: be it by just making friends, by participating in cultural events, or by challenging ideas.
I have 2 essays, please tell me which is better. Thank you.
1
Although many Indian students lived around us, we seldom interacted with each other. Their eccentric family traditions seemed alien to Chinese.
To our surprise, on Racial Harmony Day in Sigapore, the ten Indian girls in our class all dressed in Cheongsams, Chinese traditional costumes. They came to greet us and expressed their admirations to Chinese culture.
They passed us sarongs(Indian costumes) and said " You may try ours, perhaps you will turn to like Indian cultures too."
Their deed warmed our hearts tremendouly. Looked at us in the mirror: sarongs, huge gold Jewelries and the red dot on each forehead ï we were just like Indians except for our lighter complexions. Suddenly I realised that the world could be so colourful with so many different costumes and it could be so happy to embrace others' culture. The icy division between our two groups was broken.
Coming from China, I had a hard time fitting in initially. However, the more I explored about Singapore's multicultural society, the more I valued diversity. In Michigan, there will be students with different roots and different thoughts, and I would like to spearhead programs to promote interaction between us. By sharing my experiences in Singapore and my upbringing in China, I will show them that the lack of communication and consideration is the main reason for stereotypes and misunderstandings among different groups. Then I will encourage students to join other cultures' society to promote the exchange of ideas and histories. Students' perceptions and relationships will change, as a result of a new understanding of each other
~~For essay 1,the last para,do you think I digress from the real question?
The question is not really asking how you would promote diversity, but how you would contribute to it. It's asking: what makes you different. I am really worried about this. Thank you!~~
2
At the age of 15, I left my hometown in China to study in Singapore. I was naturally drawn to and made friends with other Chinese students at the school because we shared the same language and culture.
One day, we were sitting in a canteen eating a pork dish when a group of Malay students stood up and began verbally attacking us; they were offended by us eating pork. We were shocked, and retaliated by arguing with them. It was an argument we could not seem to resolve, so we took our case to the school office. There, our mentor explained to us that the Malay students were Muslims, and that eating pork was forbidden in their faith. It seemed bizarre to us, as we had no understanding of Islam. But once we had heard the history behind it, we began to understand and respect their commitment to their faith. The quarrel actually led to a lasting friendship between our two groups, and we continued to learn about each other's cultures throughout our time in Singapore.
What can I contribute to diversity? I am Chinese. I grew up in an environment that is very different from most of the world. I am keen to hold onto my own culture, but equally excited to embrace others. We all think differently depending on our roots and life experiences; I look forward to being challenged intellectually, and challenging others in return. Diversity is something to be lauded, and since that experience in Singapore, I have been and will continue to be proactive in promoting diversity in whatever way I can: be it by just making friends, by participating in cultural events, or by challenging ideas.
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