PA by Rachel

PA by Rachel - November 2016 Scholarship Essay

E pluribus unum, or better known as "Out of many, One", refers to our great nation's motto and solidarity in its formation from the states into one unified nation. The cultural unification and plethora of customs, values, arts, speech, cuisines, beliefs, and general way of life is the college experience that I will be most thankful for. A college campus to me will be like having the whole world in my hands.
You see, I live in rural Pennsylvania. In fact, a typical graduating class from my highschool is around forty students. Almost every person in our town and surrounding community is from the same cultural background with similar values, beliefs, and customs. I am so excited to go to college to meet people from all backgrounds and cultures. I feel that my cultural awareness and insight that I have and appreciate is not as real as it could be. Almost all of my cultural awareness has come from books, media, and classes. I feel like I have exhausted secondary sources, and I can't wait to meet as many people as I can that are not from rural Pennsylvania.
I have documented ADHD, but that is not the only reason I love to talk to people, share ideas, and hear all about different people. I am an excellent listener, surprisingly, but feel that my upbringing has sheltered and hindered me from seeing the beauty in the myriad of cultures, personalities, and characteristics of the most interesting subject on earth...people. I am truly a people person and will be ever grateful for the experience to meet new people and broaden my horizons.
The college experience is more than learning the subjects for you major, eating in a dining hall, and learning how to live with your roommate. It is actually practice for the real world when you are constantly meeting new people and having opportunities to learn about life and culture on a daily basis within the confines of campus in person which is so much better than relying on media. Additionally, if I am fortunate enough, many colleges offer study abroad programs which I intend to apply for. College can truly make the world's true beauty and diversity endless for me and for that, I will be ever thankful.