New Eyes by Justin

New Eyes by Justin - February 2014 Scholarship Essay

As an individual that has had the opportunity to travel the world, I have often felt my experience visiting new cultures with different ethnic backgrounds has enhanced my perspective of the world. As a result, travel has redefined the way I look at my own identity. I am extremely fortunate to have traveled to over ten countries. Marcel Proust’s quote, “the real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes,” perfectly describes how travel has allowed me to genuinely appreciate the diversity of different cultures. Through travel my “eyes” have essentially changed.

For example, my journey to Beijing, China exposed me to a culture of people who have a strong connection to their history and who have sacrificed a great deal in order to preserve what they believe in. While touring Tiananmen Square my eyes were opened to China’s incredible appreciation of the past. The magnificence of the architecture captivated me. I could feel and see the enthusiasm put into the restoration of the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. Their passion to hold on to the past influenced me to always appreciate history and to be grateful for modern privileges. My experience has helped me to understand the profound diversity between Americans and the Chinese.

Travel has opened my eyes to a world of fascinating people. When I visited Machu Picchu, Peru, I was amazed by the archaeological magnificence and mystery surrounding it. However, it was the Peruvians warm demeanor and hospitality that struck me the most. Even when most of the people live at what we would consider the poverty level, they were extremely gracious and loved hosting festivities for foreigners.

Standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower overlooking Paris was one of the most beautiful sights I had ever seen. Yet, it was experiencing the French people’s enthusiasm for their art, food, and rich heritage that caused me to choose French as my foreign language in high school. My encounters have taught me to appreciate the individuals in each society because they make the community unique and attractive—It’s the people who make the culture not the culture that makes the people.

Although I have only taken a few small steps into a lifetime of exploration, I am indebted to these experiences because they have reshaped how I look at the world. Just as importantly, travel has given me insight into myself. Marcel Proust’s quote, influenced my awareness and appreciation of other cultures and also influenced my interaction with all types of people around the world. My goal is to serve as an intermediary between people and encourage an atmosphere where respect of each individual’s unique background fosters receptiveness toward cultural differences, which in some cases may seem very foreign or intimidating at first glance. I believe the best and most powerful way to help enrich diversity is to meet and learn from people of different backgrounds, and to gain an appreciation for their customs. With my traveling experience, I believe that now see with "new eyes" and for that I am truly grateful.