<p>[A] “We know that diversity makes us a better university – better for learning, for teaching, and for conducting research.”
(U-M President Mary Sue Coleman)</p>
<h2>Share an experience through which you have gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences. Comment on how your personal experiences and achievements would contribute to the diversity of the University of Michigan.</h2>
<p>Hi there, I have some problem in understanding in this diversity essay of U Michigan. Could anyone help me?</p>
<p>I am a common girl with plain background and experiences. What I am proud of the most is my experience as a volunteer teacher.</p>
<p>When I am about to write this essay, I can't quite catch the meaning of it. </p>
<p>What does the "gain respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences" mean? Can I read it in another way? That is:
Share an experience through which you have increased consideration for intellectual, social or cultural differences.</p>
<p>No, I think the question wants to know how YOU came to respect the differences in someone else.</p>
<p>Have you had experience with people of different religious faiths? What about people who hold different political or moral beliefs? What about different socio-economic groups. I think this is about how you learned that people have inherent value even if they think, live and act differently from you.</p>
<p>I have experiences with some poor children when I was a volunteer teacher. I do want to help them to gain better opportunities to go to school. But I can’t quite see any “respect” from this experience, I just want to give a hand to help.</p>
<p>Was there anything you admired about the kids you taught? Did you gain a truer appreciation of what poor children must deal with–facilities, family background, health issues, lack of encouragement for education, textbooks, school supplies, athletic/musical opportunities, neighborhood, distractions, examples set by those in the area, discrimination, crime, substance abuse, child abuse, anything else that I might be overlooking? </p>
<p>Did any of the kids seem to be to overcoming problems or limitations of their background? Did any of the kids have the potential, have a lot to offer if only it could bloom?</p>