When I first arrived in the U.S. as an international student in eighth grade, I found myself stepping into an entirely new world. My first school, Stuart Country Day School in New Jersey, was a Catholic institution — an environment that felt completely unfamiliar yet incredibly fascinating to me.
Coming from a secular background in China, I was bedazzled, surprised and ultimately developed a personal connection to those morning prayers, chapel services and the values embedded in the curriculum. It was about navigating an environment where faith and tradition were woven into daily life. At first, I felt like an outsider looking in, but over time, I began to see how these experiences enriched my understanding of how a community could be so strongly built on a collective pursuit of values.
At first, I thought cultural diversity would be just a collection of new experiences — trying unfamiliar foods, celebrating holidays I didn’t grow up with or mastering slang that made me feel like an insider. But the reality went far deeper: cultural diversity became a mirror for me to examine who I was, who I wanted to become, and how I understood my immediate environment and beyond.
One thing that has stood out to me over the years is the importance of diversity in all its forms — not just cultural, but also political, ideological and personal. Being exposed to different perspectives has taught me the value of compromise and the need to engage respectfully with views that I may not necessarily agree with. In a time of high social stratification, I’ve come to believe that diversity is not just about an attempt for coexistence but about building bridges between differences, even when the other side feels worlds apart.
As an international student, observing last year’s presidential election gave me a unique vantage point, a neutral and objective one. The process has been thought-provoking, particularly how political identities in the United States are woven into personal values and community ties. In my political science seminars, I’ve appreciated how knowledgeable and openly my classmates express their beliefs, whether they lean left, right or somewhere ambiguously in between. This stands in stark contrast to my home country, where political expression tends to be far more subdued, and discussions about governance or leadership happen in quieter, more private spaces.
What struck me most is how political diversity in the U.S. reflects the broader cultural ethos of the country. The robust debates, protests and passionate campaigning showcase a system where differing viewpoints are not only tolerated but expected. It’s messy, yes, but it’s also an environment where compromise and understanding are made possible. For me, this has underscored the importance of empathy: of stepping outside one’s own worldview to see the humanity in opposing opinions.
Cultural diversity is not just about celebrating differences. It’s about the transformative power of open dialogue and the courage to bridge divides. Through my journey as an international student, I’ve learned that coexistence isn’t about erasing differences but creating spaces where they can thrive together. It challenges us to rethink assumptions, engage with opposing views and grow through the tension of disagreement. In a polarized world, the bridges we build through communication and understanding are what hold us together, reminding us that strength lies not in uniformity but in the harmony of many voices finding common ground.
Molly Wu is a sophomore studying political science and economics. While she was originally from Beijing, China, she went to a boarding school in New Jersey since high school. Growing in an envionrment that stresses the importance of diversity, she enjoys absorbing and sharing different perspectives. You can contact her at lwu5@nd.edu.
