Since I was young, the importance of accepting and embracing other cultures has been stressed throughout my education. I have always been taught to accept others, and to refrain from judging someone solely on their appearance. It wasn't until I spent time with someone from another culture that I began to understand the reasons why. In the summer between my 7th and 8th grade year, my family hosted a Japanese exchange student. Before this experience, I had very limited knowledge on Japanese traditions, land, and culture. I was anticipating difficulty in communication, assuming there would be a massive language barrier that would inhibit our ability to form personal connections with one another.
We picked him up from the airport, and an awkwardly silent ride home ensued. As he fought off jet lag, we also began to fight off the language barrier. It was extremely difficult to converse with him, yet as our comfort and security with one another grew, so did our ability to interact. Conversations were brief and forced, but I was able to learn about his way of life through our activities and experiences together. Activities as simple as a game of basketball became powerful sessions of learning and growth. As I learned more about his way of life, he learned about mine. Learning about a person through their actions and character gave me a deeper insight into a culture completely foreign to me. The cultural differences were massive, yet it showed me that even if I am seemingly unlike any other person, everyone can share a common bond: Our humanity.
Lol i just submitted my college apps
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