Every year, a loud voice announces during opening Chapel the number of countries represented on campus, and the fall semester begins.
Every year, students from across the world parade around Moody Coliseum, signifying the unification of countries from Japan to Brazil to Madagascar. Still, every year thousands of students observe this tradition as they sit clumped around other like-minded students from their own cultural demographic.
“Change the world.” The catchy ACU motto seems fitting for a university that works hard to increase global awareness and ethnic diversity among the student population.
ACU students have had a history of making this motto a personal lifestyle.
Many have committed to long-term work overseas, hoping to integrate and work with various groups. Countless others have invested spring breaks, summer vacations and entire semesters serving and studying other cultures.
Students show little fear when it comes to traveling the world and trying new things.
But are these trends being put into practice daily here on campus?
The Office of Multicultural Enrichment promotes ethnic and racial harmony among students and staff. The Black History Production and the International Students’ Association are only two of the various ways the university has sought to meld students from different social, racial and cultural backgrounds.
A variety of productions and student groups may foster an understanding of the subcultures around campus, but they often do not result in lasting integration and relationships among students.
The lack of cross-cultural relationships on campus is apparent to anyone walking through the Bean after Chapel. White, black or Asian, nationalities are easily identifiable here because they are not dispersed. Instead, students eat and spend time with other students that look and act like them.
College is a time for personal growth and learning. Fortunately, ACU provides a more culturally diverse atmosphere than most students have grown up in. Students must take the initiative to make the most of this culturally unique environment.
Sitting with people of a different race during Chapel, going to a Thursday night Chai cafe or simply striking up a conversation with a new ESL student are all ways that will help make ACU a place where diversity is not only accepted, but embraced.
Many students will leave Abilene realizing they missed the opportunity to be part of ACU’s culturally rich environment.
But perhaps a select group of students will challenge themselves to reach beyond the barriers of race and culture to enhance their global view and leave this formative period of life with a more complete picture of the world.
In addition to leaving ACU to change the world, use it as a cultural springboard to engage the world today.
