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I'm a minority at Colby! I'm going to be completely honest and say that sometimes it sucks going to a school where nobody looks like you. Sometimes you are going to feel like your background makes you just different than everyone else, and its a feeling that can be internally isolating. However, I've had no problems making great friends, and people are down to try to understand unique perspectives. The Pugh Center does a great job of putting together multicultural clubs and programming, and you can totally find friends from basically any ethnic group. As a minority, I am completely happy with my decision to come to Colby. I think that its important to remember that everyone is some kind of minority- maybe not racially, but everyone has things about them that are different, you just have to look a little closer sometimes.
Could you develop a bit more on that subject? I've seen this comment a few times on this site and I wanted to know what is the exact problem of diversity at Colby. Do you mean that there are clearly distinctive friend groups made up of international kids who are ignored by the rest or is it plain old obvious racism? Your comment makes it seem like it's not too bad but the grade does...
As an Asian American, I have found it extremely difficult to integrate myself into the Colby community. I am a senior graduating this fall and never once have I felt at home on this campus. The Pugh center does its best to promote multiculturalism and diversity and it often is considered a safe space on campus by ethnic minorities. However, then you run into the problem of segregating yourself even more from the rest of the Colby community. Yes, there are clearly distinctive friend groups comprised of international students who largely stick together. There is even a significant divide between the Asian American community and that of the international Asians. Of course, there are certainly opportunities to make connections and a large part of it is your personality and your willingness place yourself in uncomfortable situations - joining a team or some sort of extracurricular activity helps, I think. Still, I personally have felt on edge all four years here and would suggest bracing yourself for a huge culture shock.
As a minority, I've found great friends in people of various races. I've always been an outgoing kid, and I'm not trying to say that anyone whose experiences havent been as good as mine's problems aren't legitimate, but it is totally possible to have a great and fulfilling social life as an ethnic minority.
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thank you for this post :)
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Written by Danny Garin
There is a large population of international students, and minorities are very vocal. The campus is pretty polarized between the activist types and the non-political kids. The Foss/Mary Low side of campus tends to be more politically aware and diverse, or at least more aware of diversity. Social class has been a particular topic of concern lately; many people see Colby as very elitist. All diversity-related issues, though, are actively brought to light. There's been a Racial Awareness Week and a Social Class Awareness Week, both of which had featured lectures, discussions, and (most visibly) chalking on the pathways. There was even a minority sit-in in an attempt to raise awareness on campus. Though racial diversity is not where it should, there is a vast diversity of personalities, and there is no dominate personality type.
The campus is working very hard to create a more diverse atmosphere, and questions of diversity are brought up by vocal minorities and activists. This creates an intense atmosphere sometimes—discussions and demonstrations can feel pretty heated at times. But, continual efforts to introduce more diversity and alleviate tensions are definitely to be applauded.
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