Embracing New Cultures

You are who you are. Man, woman, child, etc. Yet, when we think about the depth of what makes us, people, we realize that there's more than meets our own eyes. Our personalities reflect what we go through on the daily basis. Our personalities reflect how we have lived.

Culture is something that impacts each of us as human beings. As a Mexican-American, I was raised with customs, and a way of living. Being hispanic, speaking Spanish, the way I see life, culture is a great influence. Yet the amazing thing is about the community/society I live in, is the diversity of cultures.

Being part of a campus in which many cultures are represented allows me to have an open mind about how I talk, listen and view people. I am surrounded with human beings with different stories and different ways of living. Despite their beliefs and their own customs, we are able to find a common ground and find what brings us together. We have the opportunity to get know each other and learn from one another. We try each other's food, ask questions and we become open minded.

When traveling, we also embrace culture. We venture to places that bring us out of our comfort zone. We learn to adapt and embrace. The La Sierra University Chamber Singers will be going on a tour through the country of Japan. Talk about culture! This trip has been in the works since last year, and in few days, they will be on a plane to their destination.

As the advance singing group of the university, we learn different types of repertoire and go on different trips either local or beyond. We have traveled to different parts of the country, yet this will be the first time the La Sierra Chamber Singers will go and venture internationally.

We did our research, asked the right people, yet we won't know until we're there. The experience will be different for each of us, yet what we will experience will change our lives and change the way we view ourselves and life.