Describe a Potential Classmate That You Believe You Could Learn from Either Within or Outside a Formal Classroom Environment.

It is a small world after all. Going to different states, cities, or even just around your local neighborhood, you can find many different people and cultures. American society is filled with culturally diverse people who open us up to a new way of thinking and help us perceive other nations with a less myopic view. As a culturally diverse person like myself, I have always enjoyed learning about others and their background. A plethora of information can overwhelm my mind just by chatting with someone who is diverse culturally, academically, and economically. In the same way I have encountered a similar experience in high school that has changed my understanding of the Chinese heritage.

My first interaction with another culture was when I met my close friend, Ying Ching from China, who opened doors to a new part of the world for me. The major difference between us was our religion. Her religion, Buddhism, the predominant religion in China, has teachings based on polytheism. In contrast to my religion, Islam, which is strictly monotheistic. Once I informed her that I go to Jamat Khana (my church) everyday and she was surprised because she only attends her temple once a week. She then told me her family practiced religion on a daily basis back in China, but because she is from a Communist country that suppresses any sort of religion, she and her family had to endure many hardships.

Not only did we try to understand each other's religion, but also the languages, food, and customs of our different cultures. Sometimes, just for fun we would translate a word or a phrase in on another's language. I have invited Ying over for a traditional family dinner and introduced several food items from my country. I even tried to teach her a traditional Pakistani dance called Rasara, which we practiced for hours. Once she brought me one of her traditional pork dish called Yangzhou and I had to explain to her that as a Muslim I can not eat pork. I'll never forget the time she taught me how to use chopsticks. I was so frustrated! The friendship between Ying and I has taught us to not only accept our culture but other cultures as well.

College is not only about furthering your education, it is also learning about others and their cultures also, appreciating others as they are. I can envision myself exploring other cultures of the world without leaving the United States. I am cognizant that extremely few students get a chance to experience