When one starts looking for a college, he or she tends to search for institutions that have qualities that appeal to them. This was what happened in my case anyway. I looked at Berea College and saw the smallness thereof, and it was love at first sight! I was excited about the prospect of living in such a small town where one can really get to know their neighbors. Sure, I knew when I applied and was accepted that the college enrolls students from all over the United States and many foreign countries, BUT I didn’t realize this until I arrived. Being at Berea has opened my eyes to places that I have never considered before.
Life among such diversity is not hard, but it is different. Everyone seems to have their own ideals about life, and, more often than not, they are absolutely not the same as mine. Even my roommate, Andy Brown, has ideals that are contrasting to mine, and he lives only 150 miles from my home. I attribute this culture shock to my upbringing in Sevierville, Tennessee. EVERYONE; good and bad, rich and poor, even the young and old; has very similar ways of life and congruent morals and mannerisms. Here in Berea, Kentucky there are so many different people from so many places that I sometimes find myself mentally at ends with some of the lifestyles I observe.
So far, the biggest concept that I have tried to accept is my roommate’s philosophy of chill. I, naturally, am not laid back, and I often overreact to things (whether I mean to or not). To make it in this place, one has to open his or her mind to things, or face the wrath of unhappiness amongst others. Acceptance that not everyone is going to always be right or wrong and that everyone has their ways is the key to living in this melting pot called Berea, our new home.
I look forward to other postings on diversity. Might you consider looking quite closely at different types of diversity each blog?
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great topic to explore. I look forward to reading more of your thoughts.
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