Cultural awakening: My transformative journey through college

College is often seen as a time for academic and personal growth, but for me, it was a transformative period in ways I could have never anticipated. As I stepped into my sophomore year at the University of Tampa, I found myself at a unique crossroads. Two of my closest friends, John from my hometown in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and Frank from New York, decided not to return. Their absence left me feeling untethered and forced me to reimagine my support network. At the same time, I was navigating new responsibilities as a resident assistant.

Little did I know that this upheaval would lead to one of the most defining experiences of my life: forming deep, meaningful connections with a diverse group of students from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

This journey began unexpectedly when I noticed a visibly upset student named Sylvan, from Aruba. A simple question, ‘Are you okay?’ sparked a friendship that expanded my worldview. Sylvan introduced me to his circle of friends. Students who took immense pride in their cultural identities. They challenged me to immerse myself in their world, to learn about their countries, their foods, their languages, and their music.

Through them, I discovered that every culture is distinct. I learned that Caribbean cuisine is not monolithic and that the rhythms of soca, dancehall, and calypso each carry their unique energy. I marveled at the concept of code-switching as they shifted seamlessly between their native vernacular and the expectations of an American academic environment.

By the time I graduated, 90% of my friends were from this vibrant diaspora. Their cultures, values, and stories became a part of me, shaping my understanding of the world and my place within it. They taught me the beauty of our differences and the power of respect. My time with them was more than a cultural exchange; it was a revelation of the vast, beautiful tapestry of the human experience.

College taught me many things, but perhaps the greatest lesson was that embracing diversity isn’t just about inclusion. It’s about transformation. It’s about allowing yourself to be changed by the richness of perspectives that others bring into your life.

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