One of the main reasons I chose my college was because it was more diverse. Coming from a top-performing high school where over three-quarters of students identified as Asian or Asian American, I was happy to finally get out of my high school bubble and go to a college with more racial and ethnic diversity. Ironically, my college was considered a predominantly White institution when I attended, but anywhere I was not in the majority on campus was a good change for me.
Diversity can mean a lot of things beyond racial and ethnic diversity—it means varied religious and political beliefs, socioeconomic classes, gender identity and sexual orientation, and even differences in opinions. There are ongoing movements to make college campuses more welcoming to minorities and historically marginalized groups, and my college experience taught me a few lessons about what it means to live in a diverse community. While you won’t have the exact same experiences as me, these are certain diversity lessons you’ll likely pick up on your own college journey.
1. Diversity makes you more aware
Thanks to social media, students can keep up with what’s going on in the world easier than ever. However, a lot of students have curated their feeds to get daily updates about which celebrities just broke up or when the latest gadget will be released this year. Occasionally, a serious news update will break through about a shooting or a protest, but students are often quick to scroll past and give little thought to it if it doesn’t affect their immediate community—I know I did.
Living in a diverse college community brings all such issues to light because even if something doesn’t affect you directly, it will almost certainly affect someone else on campus. While it can be overwhelming to hear about so many problems you’ve never dealt with before, being exposed to diverse experiences shapes your education and heightens your sense of awareness. As a member of a diverse campus, I took the time to listen and understand what others were going through, which allowed me to reflect on my privilege since I didn’t bear all the racial and identity burdens that many of my peers did due to the community I grew up in.
Related: 5 Thoughtful Tips to Build Better Cultural and Social Awareness in School
2. Diversity keeps you accountable for what you say and do
Who doesn’t enjoy joking around? For many, that includes observational humor, which often ends up aiming at different ethnic or religious groups. That includes jokes by the members of a group itself. Because my high school was predominantly Asian, students would make jokes about Asian stereotypes and how our school often embodied them without worrying they were offending someone. Humor can be a way of bonding over shared experiences and help many get through the difficulties of high school together. But while certain jokes and language may be acceptable in the small homogenous community you grew up in, they might not be okay in one with individuals who have been oppressed because of their racial background.
Living in a diverse community keeps you accountable for what you say and do. In fact, calling people out for saying insensitive things is quite common and accepted in college. While you shouldn’t live in fear of accidentally saying something offensive or controversial, living in a diverse community prompts you to be more aware of your speech and how it might be perceived by others. Even something as simple as saying “Hey, guys!” can feel gender exclusive, and people may perceive your word choice differently than intended. Try opting for more inclusive language such as, “Hello, everyone” or just a simple “Hey!” If you’re unsure if what you’re saying may be offensive, simply ask the people in your circle if using such language is acceptable and create a dialogue from there.
3. Diversity might make you a bit uncomfortable—but that’s okay
College can be an uncomfortable time, from having to do difficult assignments to getting to know your classmates and professors, especially when they’re vastly different than you. You may live with a roommate completely opposite of you or do a group project with people who do not share the same interests. A big thing I’ve learned is to simply deal with it, because being uncomfortable is actually one of the best things about college.
If you go through life playing it safe by only befriending people just like you, taking easy classes to ensure good grades, and participating in activities where you already know you’ll succeed, you’ll never grow personally and professionally. That makes college pretty pointless! If you’re never challenged in your knowledge and beliefs, you’re doing college wrong and not allowing yourself to reach your full potential. That being said, no one should be so uncomfortable to the point where they’re unhappy on campus. In the case of extreme hardship, contact on-campus support such as the wellness center.
Related: What Does Diversity Really Mean on Your College Campus?
4. Diversity teaches you to assess your views through a critical lens
In classes, you’ll learn a lot about politics, history, and how the world functions. Outside of class, you’ll hear students open up about their personal lives and listen to their values. There may be times—perhaps many times—when their theories and worldviews conflict with yours, but living in a diverse community will teach you to think critically about your own beliefs. During a social justice course I took, we did an activity where we all stood in a circle and students stepped in if they identified with a statement being read. One statement said, “Step into the circle if you’ve ever been cat-called.” I was surprised by how many people moved. Growing up in a sheltered Christian household, I never actually witnessed that in public.
We had a reflection session after the activity, and many students opened up about times they were harassed or assaulted. Hearing the emotional responses from other students allowed me to be more critical about what I learned back home in a community that waves off abuse and questions its validity. I realized there were better ways my hometown could handle such issues that didn’t blame the victim but rather supported them. I would have never reflected on such issues and grown spiritually if I hadn’t put myself in a more diverse community.
5. Diversity prompts you to stand up for your own identity and beliefs
Being a college student was one of the best experiences of my life and offered so many opportunities to learn more about myself. But people can become overwhelmed in a new and diverse community—so much so that they may try to make their voice the loudest and identity the strongest, even at the expense of others. Living on a diverse campus taught me that sometimes I had to stand up for what I believe in, even if the majority on campus would not stand with me. College is the perfect time for people to find their voice and be content with their identity, but that doesn’t make someone else’s opinions more valid than yours. Students often write theses on their beliefs, backing them up with data, but they also hide behind these papers, failing to actively voice what they believe in favor of siding with the majority. You don’t have to be an activist or involved in every issue, but you should take the opportunity in a safe environment to be true to yourself and your beliefs.
Related: How to Help Improve Equity and Diversity on Campus
Diversity on college campuses is constantly changing, and there are many more lessons I learned on my higher education journey. While living among people who are vastly different was eye-opening and even sometimes frustrating, I’m thankful I was in a learning environment that allowed me to grow and experience so much. Diverse colleges add a lot of value to your education, and it’s in your best interest to seek them out during your college search.
Ready to find a diverse campus of your own? Check out our article on A More Diverse College Search: How to Find Colleges With Strong DEI Efforts.
