Defining Diversity
Diversity is a term that can be loosely defined as a difference in thought-processes amongst a group of people. Usually when this topic is addressed, race seems to be the predominant theme. However, I believe that diversity has more to do with the color of ones mind, rather than the color of ones skin. Life experiences shape the way that one thinks, and when different people have different life experiences, this creates diversity. Along these lines, Cologne is a very diverse city. Both its size and its central location in Europe foster a high level of diversity, making Cologne a very cosmopolitan center of ideas.
While preparing myself for my semester abroad, I considered the fact that Cologne is a very diverse city, and consequently I made sure to arrive with a very open mind, ready to learn and understand different people with different points of view. One of the things that I did not expect, however, was that during my stay I would actually become more aware of my own diversity. After living here for more than two months, I have become more appreciative of the things that make me who I am, and I am more conscious of how this influences the way that I perceive the world around me.