Opinion | Diversity can be more than race

Summer Khatib, freshman philosophy major

As a freshman at Chapman, getting acclimated to the college environment has been an adjustment. Professors are much more laid back than high school teachers, you have the freedom to create your own schedule. Chewing gum in class is permissible and so is using your cellphone in class.

Chapman and members of its staff and student body have been supportive in my transition from high school to college. For many, that transition means making sure new students are comfortable in the dorms, are easing their way into general education classes and are successfully mapping out their next four years, but my adjustment was a little different.

Diversity has a connotation in our society of being associated with a person’s ethnic, cultural or racial background, but it’s important to note that diversity can come in a wide array of traits. I could claim that I have an open mind and am diverse because my dad is Lebanese, my mom is Mexican, and I was raised in a Muslim household.

I can say that through the exposure to both cultures I have a different perspective of the world – but that’s a simple, given and an expected response. But here’s why, for me, diversity didn’t just come through my cultural, racial or ethnic background – it came through life experiences.

My experience in high school was anything but conventional: I was enrolled in a public school, online school and a community college — all at the same time — while starting my second semester of sophomore year. Why would anyone ever do that? To make a long answer short: I was bored with the traditional structure of high school.

Subjects like English, science and history became monotonous and boring. Rather than writing rhetorical reviews of poems, I wanted to learn how psychology played a role in the character’s decisions and actions. Instead of reading about Murphy’s law and memorizing the periodic table, I wanted to learn about the philosophical and ethical dilemmas that the scientific community faces.

The reason I enrolled in a community college was because I was seeking a more intellectually challenging and fulfilling academic experience. Through my nontraditional education, I gained confidence and grew in the classroom and most importantly, I felt confident coming into Chapman.

Not only did I grow intellectually, I was also able to flourish in a way that allowed me to adjust naturally to the social aspect of college. Having the confidence to speak with professors and seek out their assistance during office hours is something I feel comfortable doing, thanks to the experiences I cultivated during my time at community college.

Dual enrollment in a junior college was not the sole driving force that pushed me to homeschool. Rather, I decided to begin online school so that I could pursue a career in the entertainment field as an actress or singer.

I learned that hard work is what success is made of. Much like in the entertainment world, I know I will encounter people from many different walks of life at Chapman, but I know I’ll be able to work with them, no matter our differences.

Thanks to my choice to homeschool, I was able to experience a variety of different cultures that have shaped me into the unique person that I am today. I feel as though I am well-equipped to tackle whatever Chapman throws at me with confidence.