Differences by John

Differences by John - March 2024 Scholarship Essay

After a dyslexia diagnosis, my parents enrolled me at a private school in Memphis, Lausanne Collegiate, where I would receive more accommodations and benefit from a smaller class size. However, this would also be the beginning of broadening my world and challenging my perspective. Previously, my rural Mississippi suburban school was mostly made up of students that looked like me and had the same beliefs. Lausanne Collegiate’s student body is extremely diverse with students from 69 different countries.

At my new school, I was invited to my first bar mitzvah. I ate delicious food at a German friend's house, and I witnessed my Muslim classmates fast. My friends and I would get into some deep, interesting discussions about our beliefs and family traditions which had me thinking about my own faith. Observing other faiths and their traditions made me appreciate mine. These differences made me want to know why my family believed and did what we did.

I have a deeper respect and better understanding of those of other cultures. I also see a very common aspect of love and compassion. I am encouraged to connect with others different from me because they bring different solutions and ideas I would have never thought of.