Though statistics will tell you that Dickinson has virtually no diversity, students who actively seek out a diverse group of friends are rewarded with an interesting mix of peers with varying viewpoints and ideas. The College has a close relationship with a number of overseas institutions, and frequently attracts students from various nations, including China, Bulgaria, Argentina, Great Britain, Turkey, and Greece, to name a few. There is also a level of political, economic, and racial diversity, though not apparent at first glance, comparable with that of most of Dickinson’s peer institutions. Furthermore, global education is a top priority here, and more than half of the student body studies abroad for a semester or more at some point during their college careers. Students who go abroad bring their experiences back to the college upon their return, fostering new ideas and diverse interactions.
Yet, like many liberal arts schools of Dickinson's size, the College does seem to have problems attracting a large population outside of white, upper-middle-class students from the suburbs. While there is a fair amount of minority students, they are small enough in number that they tend to feel more comfortable sticking together, and it’s not uncommon to see them sitting in big groups in the cafeteria. However, the College works very hard to foster diversity on campus, and on any given weekend, students may be able to attend such diverse activities as Middle Eastern dance parties, German club dinners, or various holiday celebrations sponsored by Religious Life.