Page 347 - Keys to College Success

get creative

EXPAND YOUR PERCEPTION OF DIVERSITY

Complete the following on paper or in digital format.

The ability to respond to people as individuals requires you to become more aware of diversity that is not always on the
surface. Start by examining your own uniqueness. Write 10 words or phrases that describe you. The challenge: Minimize
references to ethnicity or appearance (brunette, Cuban American, wheelchair dependent, and so on), and fill the list with
characteristics not visible at a glance (visual learner, only child, drummer, marathoner, and so on).

Next, pair up with a classmate whom you do not know well. First, list any characteristics you think you know about him or
her—chances are most of them will be visible. Then talk together for a few minutes, each taking a turn to introduce your-
self. As you talk, fill out and correct your lists about each other from discoveries made during the conversation. Finally, answer
three questions.

1. What stands out to you about what you learned about your classmate, and why?
2. What would you like people to focus on more often about you, and why?
3. Name a communication strategy you used in this conversation. How was it effective?

Fear. It is human to fear people and ideas that are unfamiliar to you. It is also prob-
lematic. Fear of differences can make you uncomfortable around others, leading you
to avoid them. Inaccurate judgments and prejudices arise, making it impossible to
communicate or work together successfully. Trying to listen through your fear is like
trying to have a conversation with loud music blaring. Emotions can block compre-
hension just as loud music makes it tough to hear. To jump this barrier: The main
antidotes to fear are education and experience. As you learn more and have positive
experiences with different people, you become
more comfortable with them, and fear lessens
over time. Have you ever been the “different”
one wanting to be understood and accepted?
How did it make you feel? Even if you have
never been that in position, imagine what it
would be like and how it would affect your
interaction with others.

Finally, because you are a full participant in
the communication experience, self-knowledge
will help you understand what role you play and
how you can play it better. The Multiple Intelli-
gence Strategies grid for Communication on
page 311 provides ideas about communication
strategies that align with strength in different
intelligences.
In the modern world, people cross real and
virtual paths with individuals from other cul-
tures more and more every day. With the cultural
Communication with others is essential to every school, work, and personal competence and communication strategies you
goal, from team projects to study groups to bonding over lunch. have explored, you will be as prepared as possi-
ble to receive your passport as a global citizen.

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