One of the most important things that I considered during my college search was the presence of a diverse student body. Grinnell's student body is ethnically and socioeconomically diverse, creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere on campus, but I feel that the greatest way Grinnell's diversity manifests itself is through the diverse array of experiences that individuals bring to the community at large. I've met students from all over the world (13% of the student body is international, coming from over 50 countries), and all walks of life, from big cities to small towns. This is invaluable, for everyone is able to learn from the unique experiences and circumstances that everyone brings to the table, both inside and outside the classroom.
One experience that comes to mind is the diversity evident in my class "Educational Principles in a Pluralistic Society" with Professor Hutchison. In this intro-level education class, we discuss different philosophies and practices in the educational sphere. The diversity of Grinnell's student body really shows here, because in our class discussions we are able to compare personal experiences with students from small town high schools in the Midwest, non-traditional inner city schools, and schools in Jamaica and Singapore. Our class aims to introduce us to ways in which diversity and education policy interact in American society, so our ability to draw from personal experiences truly add a whole new dimension to what we learn in this class. This is only one instance out of many that show how diversity adds to the Grinnell experience, I wish I could talk about them all!
