Embracing Diversity on Campus: Creating a Richer College Experience

Diversity is essential on college campuses; It broadens our perspective, encourages personal growth, and prepares us to form meaningful relationships with those around us. Embracing diversity means more than accepting different backgrounds and cultures; it is also about engaging with those differences by being exposed to diverse perspectives and lifestyles.

Showing off food truck coupons, students share their love of food at Luther College Family Weekend in 2024.

So how do you engage with diversity? Adjusting to a new environment full of diversity can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been in such an environment before. One of the best strategies to ease this situation is to focus on common interests. Whether it’s discovering a common love for a hobby or a similar musical interest, finding common ground can form the basis of meaningful relationships. Once trust is established, discovering your differences becomes an exciting journey.

Respect is at the core of embracing diversity. When interacting with others, approach them with an open mind and a genuine interest in their unique experiences. Communicating respectfully helps build positive connections and encourages growth while challenging our own biases. Feel free to ask questions as long as it’s thoughtful and shows your curiosity about others!

Engaging with different groups through clubs, sports or community events is a great way to embrace diversity. These experiences help you learn about different cultures and perspectives, develop empathy, and make new friends. By attending, you will broaden your understanding of the world and have a more fulfilling university experience.

Embracing Diversity and Finding Connection as an International Student

Coming to Luther College as an international student was both exciting and challenging. The Midwest, its culture, food, and climate were so far removed from anything I knew. Speaking and writing articles in English sometimes added another layer of difficulty. At first I felt like I had to navigate a maze without a map. But over time, I realized that the beauty of being in a new country lies in the opportunity to grow, adapt, and be immersed in experiences completely different from my own.

Students celebrate their diverse cultures at the International Students and Allies fashion show in 2022.

The international student community at Luther played an important role in helping me adapt. Meeting others with similar experiences of being away from home gave me a sense of belonging. These connections provided me with both practical support and emotional comfort. Through shared meals, cultural celebrations, and conversations about our countries, I found a place to be myself while learning about others.

Decorah is a small town with limited diversity in food and cultural offerings. It can be challenging at times when I miss the tastes and flavors of home. But I found comfort by cooking with friends and occasionally preparing recipes from home. This made the experience much more enjoyable as it allowed me to bring a piece of my home to Luther. As difficult as it is to be away from home, it is always nice to rely on these connections and attend various events, such as international fashion shows, where international students are given the chance to celebrate their differences and share their culture with others.

Conclusion: Best Tips for Getting Comfortable with Diversity

Card games are a fun way to make friends with people in your dorm.

1. Start by connecting over shared hobbies, sports, food or music. This helps build strong relationships.
2. Join clubs or events that bring people from different backgrounds together. It’s a great way to break down barriers and make new connections.
3. Be open to learning about the cultures and experiences of others; this can help you see the world in new ways.
4. Embrace diversity and differences in people and enjoy the opportunity to learn about different foods, languages ​​and cultures!

Embracing diversity encourages you to support inclusive communities. When you interact with people from different backgrounds, you will help create an environment where everyone is welcome!