It was a particularly hot summer day in New York City as hordes of avid Harry Potter

fans struggle to remain comfortable in the scorching heat while waiting for the beginning of the
last movie premiere. Sequestered between discussions of J.K. Rowlings literary ingenuity and
the series equivalent infamous musical parody, I sat on the edge of West 65
th
street,
overwhelmed by the numerous nationalities and languages surrounding me. People of all ages
spoke French, Italian, Mandarin, English, and many more, yet essentially, I suspected they spoke
of the same things. I joined many discussions through the course of the day, learning and
teaching, hearing educated arguments as well as harsh opinions. In a community where people
gave as good as they got, I truly felt like I belonged there in the midst of sweaty faces and
dimpled grins.
However, New York City is not the only place where I can immerse myself in the
diversity I crave. In the high school I attend, there are more than fifteen countries represented
through the faces of my classmates. Last year, we had our very first Culture Night wherein
presentations about different cultures were held in the library, while the cafeteria hosted
volunteers offering free food unique to their country. That night, I witnessed my first traditional
Portuguese dance fandango, listened to the beat of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and discovered delicious
Egyptian desserts. My tight-knitted close group of friends introduced me to each of their own
cultures: Jessica and Ernesto instilled in me a love for Peruvian rice and sweets, while Nimra
brought me to a Pakistani wedding. Kelly painted wistful, summer nights in Ecuador for me.
Joyce incessantly tries to make me a fan of Korean pop music, while I teach them the Filipino
language with promises of sushi and spicy seafood. Although our backgrounds differ as much as
the Incan civilizations is to the Han Dynasty, the same love for science and its indisputable laws
courses through our minds. In a school as diverse as Harrison, not only did I learn Shakespeare,
calculus, the World Wars, and thermodynamics, but also Polish superstitions, French philosophy,
Brazils current economy, and the similarities of Hispanic social cultures to typical Asian homes.
I am learning more and more every day.
Moreover, I want to share all the things Ive learned, whether it is to enlighten my
classmates or merely share a story for enjoyment. I want to make people feel as if they are not
only citizens of America, but citizens of the worldjust like what my high school classmates
had made me feel, even if Ive only been limited to the Philippines prior to my arrival in
America. I believe it is important to be aware and sensitive of other peoples cultures and not to
appear ignorant or careless. Furthermore, I want to spend the next four years of my life with
people who share the same passions I hold for diversity and science. I eagerly await the days
where afternoons are filled with discussions of the possibilities of nuclear fusion reactors and the
symbolisms and allusions of Arabic parables. I believe Rutgers University can offer these
anticipated afternoons and more. Most especially, I believe Rutgers will simultaneously further
my education and charactertwo of the most important things in my life.