So far in this chapter, you have learned strategies for managing your emotional and physical health and have a better understanding of how doing so contributes to your ability to maintain healthy relationships in your life. A logical next step is to increase your awareness of differences and similarities among people, which is an important component of building healthy relationships. Two-year colleges attract students with different backgrounds. Race, ethnicity, culture, economic status, and religion may vary widely. These differences provide opportunities for students to experience diversity.

Diversity is the set of differences in social and cultural identities among people in a given community. Each person brings to campus a unique combination of life story, experience, value system, view of the world, and set of judgments. And yet most have similar goals and aspirations. Interacting with others in a diverse environment can enrich your entire life.

A college serves as a microcosm of the real world—a world that requires us all to work, live, and socialize with people from various ethnic and cultural groups. Two-year colleges are one of the few settings where diverse members interact in such close proximity. Familiarizing yourself with differences can greatly expand your experiences in the classes you take, the organizations you join, and the relationships you have. For many students, college is the first time they have been exposed to so many people whose life experiences differ greatly from their own.

Through self-assessment, discovery, and open-mindedness, you can begin to understand your perspectives on diversity. This work, although difficult at times, will add to your educational experiences, personal growth, and development. Thinking critically about your personal values and belief systems will allow you to have a greater sense of belonging and to make a positive contribution to our multicultural society.