Diversity by Katelyn

Diversity by Katelyn - November 2016 Scholarship Essay

Growing up in a small, northwestern, Ohio town, everything is practically the same. There is almost never anything new to do or see. It is the same routine every day. You wake up at six in the morning, walk the same streets you have been walking since your parents decided you were old enough to walk to school, and you go to school and see the same people you have been seeing since preschool. Everyone is practically the same in this small rural town. Each person you see is basically just like you. Each day, you just go through the motions, hoping something exciting might happen. This is why I am so excited to go to college. The experience I believe I will be most thankful for is the diversity of a college campus.
In my small town of Van Wert, Ohio, there is very little diversity. Everyone goes to a Christian church on Sunday morning and then to the Chinese restaurant on Main Street afterwards. We all celebrate the same holidays and have the same traditions. It is very rare to see someone of another faith or someone who does things differently than your family. Our town is predominately white and Christian. Of course, I fall into this category and I am not ashamed of my race or religion; however, I have never experienced any other kind of cultures. When I go to college, odds are I will meet several people from different backgrounds and walks of life than myself.
I will be very thankful to experience this diversity because I believe it will benefit my own life. I grew up with the rural town mentality and, compared to others, I probably am closed minded. I believe interacting with people from other religions, locations, and just other cultures will make me more open and accepting of people. I think this experience will open me up to new ideas and to have new ideas for myself. Perhaps I may find my true self once I break away from my routine life at home and encounter that is not my normal.