Before I came to the U.S., American colleges and universities give me an expression of heavy working load and great peer pressure. However, studying at Emory means much more than I have thought. Last year I went to a program “Crossroads”. Through various activities there, I learned what discrimination means and how it hurts as well as how respect influences. From crossroads, I began to figure out how diverse but caring Emory is. Being at Emory for more than one year, I gradually found many details on campus that represented Emory’s spirit. Sometimes, these small details have great influence on our moods and minds.
Respect people
These three pictures were taken on our floor, Harris 5. Our RA is a person who talks less but does a lot. She seldom calls meetings and her emails are always brief. However, she cares about us much more beyond she says. She tacitly does many heartwarming things for us. For example, she bought air refresher in our bathroom; she put up these pictures to cheer us up. Whenever I was depressed, these ‘Happy’ and ‘Smell’ pacified me and encourages me. Furthermore, our RA always put sticky notes on each room’s door to remind us important notifications. I believe that different RAs have different methods to take care of their floor. I feel fortunate to choose Harris 5, where I have met the nicest people and experienced the most wonderful dorm life which I could never have in other places.
This is a picture I took in the Cox food court. I sometimes stop by and look at these notes and comments. Among them, there are compliment as well as complains, thank you notes as well as suggestions. Moreover, for each notes, the Cox staff replies carefully and faithfully. They also make some change with their work, responding to the comments from students. The sharing and listening process definitely make this community better off. The comment cards give students a chance to demonstrate their expectations of Emory, and help the staff understand where to improve, which are mutually beneficial. Along with comments, I saw many notes here are to express appreciation of staff’s work and kindness. I believe whoever see these notes will feel the same pleasure. A platform like this board is indirect but helpful.
People with disabilities are always under the first consideration. Even on our doorplate, there are braille to indicate number. Though very few people may make use of this, Emory still cares them and does the best for them. All around the campus, there are accessible entrances and toilets for every hall. No matter majority or minority receives equal care. All people’s rights and requirements are attached with great importance.
Respect culture
Diversity is flourishing all around Emory. People of different races, different genders, different sexual orientations, and different economic status all come together to form this community. Back in our country, people all of a single race. In high school, all students are even required to wear uniforms. We did not understand what discrimination and diversity were before came to the U.S. This picture is one I took of a poster wall in Cox, which is a little mess but very representative of the diversity in Emory. Different clubs and activities of different cultures. Emory is a place where monotony does not exist. People here care about not only themselves and people belong to the same group but also people of different backgrounds. Various organizations on campus hold events to provide a platform to help communication and reflection among students. A multicultural community brings us a brand new notion of respect and care. I appreciate Emory creating an inclusive and adaptable environment for us.
No only people here receive focus, but also cultures. Outside each hall, there is a plate describes the building’s backgrounds and history. Each hall at Emory has its own plates which tells a special story. Emory put up these plates to show respect to these stories besides the architect. I think these plates represent a prudent attitude. Whoever see these informations will definitely create a diligent and meticulous image of Emory. Many students always hurriedly walking by these signs without even notice their existence. However, if you stopped by and read it, I think you will have a deeper understand of Emory and how it changed over years.
Being at Emory for one year, unconsciously, I changed a lot. One year ago, I had never thought about issues with discrimination nor was aware of the importance of respect. However, one-year life here, I learned many moral principle from people at Emory. Just like the two pictures above, showing the beautiful and colorful fall views at Emory, Emory is just as colorful as the nature view. People from different backgrounds all come together to create a inclusive community. Now, I have learned to gradually slow down my pace on campus and pay more attention to some specifics that represent Emory’s diversity and spirit. I surprisingly found out that there were posters that reminded us to pay attention to our word choices, there were banners emphasized the discrimination issue, and there were events promoted sexual assault prevention. I have asked my friends who went to colleges of other states, they told me they seldom had educations on these issues. Once again, I believe it is the strength of place that brought me such unique experience and education. This kind of education is far beyond the knowledge we learned in classroom. The lesson learned from these seemingly insignificant details is invaluable. That is a life-long treasure for us that help us promote our moral and spiritual development in college to become a better people further on.