Tutoring in Rural Kentucky by Fatima

Tutoring in Rural Kentucky by Fatima - March 2024 Scholarship Essay

Born and raised in a small town in rural Kentucky, as a Hispanic woman in a predominantly conservative rural town, my experiences and beliefs often differed drastically from those around me. It was the encounter with a middle-schooler and me volunteering to become a tutor that significantly promoted my learning and growth.

I began tutoring middle school students last year. I was assigned a particular student who I tutored twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He belonged to a conservative family, their perspectives shaped by the environment they were brought up in, just like mine were distinctly different because of my experiences of being a minority.

One day, our tutoring session began getting side tracked talking about politics, revealing the difference between our perspectives. He passionately advocated for his side, the middle-schooler presented his arguments with such conviction that it seemed an attempt to get me to change my opinion. As a high school student, I was confident in my political and ideological standing, informed by studying and awareness efforts beyond my small town's perimeters. Nonetheless, I recognize that everyone has the right to their opinions, and chose to listen, to understand. This wasn’t a debate, it was an opportunity to learn and grow.

One of his statements, shockingly mature for a middle-schooler, struck me profoundly. It highlighted how deeply environmental factors can influence our worldviews. His perspective differed significantly from mine, but it was a result of his background just like my views were a product of mine.

Like instances popping up throughout my life in my small town, this experience taught me about the importance of patience and perspective-taking. It also enhanced my ability to empathize and connect with people who think differently than I do. Instead of being quick to rebuke, which would only serve to create an argument, I learned to carefully process each opposing opinion. This situation helped me grow as a person, understanding a level of maturity that can respectfully handle different perspectives.

Moreover, these experiences significantly informed my attitude towards public discourse, teaching me the vitality of listening and understanding. It has made me realize that in our diverse American society, our ability to harmonize our understanding of each other's experiences can help us towards collaborative solutions for our collective challenges.

Now, as I anticipate college, my goal is to actively contribute to the diversity that characterizes higher education, armed with an attitude of respect for differing perspectives, fueled by my rural Kentucky experience. I am confident that this diverse community will further broaden my worldview and manifest new opportunities for growth and learning.

In conclusion, the unanticipated political discussion with my middle-school student has indubitably contributed to my maturity and shaped my ongoing learning experience. It helped me grow from an ordinary high school sophomore to a person who has a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives. I am continually learning and growing, grateful for the lessons my small-town community keeps offering. These experiences are building blocks molding me into someone who not only respects differing perspectives but strives to learn and evolve from them.