I think that the students on North Carolina State’s campus often don’t realize the blessing they’ve been given to in that they have the opportunity to attend this amazing university. There are a multitude of different reasons for why NC State is so wonderful, but I think the one that is at the forefront of this list is the diversity on this campus.

As adults who have committed the next four years of our lives to a higher education, shouldn’t we also strive for a higher understanding of different cultures and traditions around the world? Whether or not the United States of America is the best nation in the world (we all know the answer), there’s still so much more that lies outside of our borders and if we’re going to be successful citizens of the world, not to mention just well rounded, amazing people, we should be knowledgeable about all the fascinating cultures that exist.

Which leads me back to North Carolina State; this campus is so much more diverse and international than we think it is. According to the NC State website, “NC State garners strength from the variety of perspectives and experiences of our campus community”, and we should all be taking full advantage of that fact.

Think about the reasons you want to study abroad, or the reasons your friends want to study abroad. The reason you want to travel? The reason you like trying different cultures of cuisine? It’s all about learning the differences, quirks, and unique qualities about other cultures that make each individual one special.

We have access to all of that right here on our own campus.

NC State’s Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity holds many events and programs advertising and sharing the diversity we have on campus in its many forms. From Annual Diversity Education Week to the University’s Diversity Grant Programs, the campus provides a multitude of opportunities to get involved with people of all cultures and backgrounds.

For example, the Annual Diversity Education Week provides a multitude of opportunities to get involved, or even just become more aware, about diversity on campus. They hand out t-shirts to celebrate, they hold assemblies showcasing different things about our campus and its student body, and they rally to teach and support the traditions of different cultures prevalent on our campus.

Additionally, there are also numerous committees and clubs that celebrate diversity, such as the Asian Student Association, the African American Coordinating Committee, the American Indian Advisory Council, and the University Diversity Advisory Committee. This is a great way to get to know people you usually don’t hang around with on campus. Getting to know different people and their own background opens so many doors here in Raleigh as well as doors on an international scale.

In retrospect, this is all going to work in your favor. The friends you make now in college are the friends you’re going to be with for a lifetime. So to have that connection with people from all over the world gives you so many advantages and benefits as you graduate and move on into the real world. Start looking into the opportunities today, because I promise you the payoff is worth the effort!