Cultural Diffusion: Experiencing Something New at IU

I'm not Indian. I'm not even close. I grew up in a white, Christian family in a white, Christian community, and thus, my exposure to Indian culture was very limited. In fact, prior to coming to IU, I had never even tried Indian food. So perhaps it was a bit strange that I ended up at Diwali, the Indian New Year festival hosted by the Indian Student Association. Despite the fact that my friends and I stood out a bit (the majority of people were wearing beautiful, traditional Indian clothes) the entire event was amazing--students performed dance numbers to Bollywood songs, and there was Indian food provided for everyone. 

(Hoosier Raas)

I really enjoyed experiencing a culture so foreign from my own, and I came to realize that in the quote-unquote "real world," the opportunities you have to experience different cultures will be limited. Very few adults, or even college graduates, will go outside their "cultural bubble." It isn't particularly strange that people remain within their own culture once they leave college, which is why you, as a current college student, should try to take in as much culture as you can while you're at a school that makes culture and diversity so accessible.

Though it's important for you to step outside your comfort zone and experience something new, there is definitely something to be said for connecting with the culture you were born into. Below is a non-exhaustive list of some clubs that may pertain to you:

• African Students' Association: http://www.indiana.edu/~iuasa/index.htm
• American Indian Student Association: http://www.indiana.edu/~aisa/
• Asian American Association: http://www.indiana.edu/~aaa/
• Indiana University Black Student Union: http://www.indiana.edu/~blbsu/
• Bloomington Muslim Dialogue Group: http://www.bmdg.org
• Buddhist Study Association at Indiana University: http://www.iub.edu/~buddhism/
• Jewish Hillel House: http://iuhillel.org
• IU Christian Student Fellowship: http://www.iucsf.org
• Indian Student Association Indiana University: https://www.facebook.com/IndianStudentAssociationIU

(Song "Aashiyan"--Barfi; Reshma Patel, Adam Alamillo)

One of the best things about IU is the fact that it's home to so many different people. Chances are you've met or made friends with someone that has a very different background from you (if not, you definitely should!). See if your friends are involved with their cultural society, and try to attend one of their events as well as bringing them to one of yours. 

Through my friends, I've not only gone to the Indian Student Association's Garba and Diwali festivals, but I was able to see Holocaust survivor Sam Harris speak, through the Jewish Hillel House. 

College is the time to broaden your mind and really experience the diversity that there is in the world, and IU provides the perfect place to get in touch with your own culture, as well as experience the traditions of others.

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