Ask Amanda

Dear Amanda,

I love the options I have for cross-cultural experiences at EMU - travel is a great way to learn and worth every penny. But I wonder if I'm getting my money's worth learning from the interesting mix of students that are on campus. We come from all over the world, and all over the U.S., yet most of the time I see internationals together, black and Latino students together, and white students together- you get the picture, like in the cafeteria. I guess that's OK, but I wish I knew how to get to know someone from a totally different background than me. It's scary, because I doubt they're even interested. Any ideas?

Dear Wistfully Wishing,

Maybe it's time you stop wishing and hoping and dreaming and praying. Maybe it's time you initiate some cultural integration.

And the cafeteria is the prime place to start. Where else can one find such a diverse group of undergraduate, on-campus, meal-planned students? Potentially, you could spend over two hours in food fellowshipping; just think of it as an exercise in fine dining with multiple courses and fancy paper napkins. The caf has no written rule about table migration. There's no border control. Lift up that lazy bum and dauntlessly find an empty seat at an unfamiliar table. Survey says most students share your wish of integration, but are just as intimidated as you at taking the initial move.

Additionally, I would like to challenge the need to fit as many people as possible around a table meant for seven. Yes, these tables are conveniently close, for easy access to second, third, and fourth helpings. Sure, their proximity ensures no self-conscious stroll across the entire cafeteria. Certainly, they're often occupied by several cute friends, many of whom you haven't seen all day long. But most large, socially-homogenous groups tend to intimidate and exclude those from different backgrounds who don't feel comfortable diving into a deep pool of hungry Mennos.

Students coming from minority backgrounds don't enjoy the insider knowledge of the majority's social and cultural dynamics. When I lived in France as an exchange student, linguistic barriers and my own fear of making mistakes discouraged me from initiating relationships.

We all seek to feel included. People desire to share their stories and heritage, especially when they are far away from home. Getting the most out of your time here at EMU requires that you do your part in initiating interaction with those of other ethnic, religious, and national backgrounds. And beyond integrating ethnicity we must strive to desegregate other exclusive circles by peering past our own insecurities and reaching for the benefits of diversity and high social density.

Transforming EMU's clique culture is just one cafeteria table away.

-Amanda