<p>I am one person that usually struggles when it comes to writing essays, I’ve tried taking classes to improve, but I don’t feel like my writing skills have improved. PLEASE, whatever you find wrong or feel I should change let me know. </p>
<p>The Question I was asked: “Share an experience through which you gained respect for intellectual, social, or cultural differences”. </p>
<p>I wasn’t born here in the U.S., I was actually born in Singapore, so I wrote about how Singapore’s various cultures affected me. I felt as if I went too long and didn’t focus on the question. Thanks guys, I would really appreciate the opinions. </p>
<p>"While I have never experienced a specific, confined moment of cultural diversity, growing up in Singapore was something that helped to shape my views and knowledge of the various cultures in the world. Singapore is a melting pot of the world’s different cultures. People in Singapore can come from countries ranging from places like Britain to Sri Lanka. The environment set in Singapore exposed me to many different holidays and traditions, each teaching me different things and opening my eyes to the very colorful cultures we have in this world. I experienced events such as Ghost Month. Ghost Month occurs in August and is when people of Chinese descent burn money, paper, gifts and various other things as a way to honor their past ancestors. It is believed by burning these things, these items can pass through the two worlds and those who have passed on can receive them and use them in their afterlife. Another holiday that was prominent in Singapore was Hari Raya Puasa, a Malaysian holiday, in which the Malay/Muslim community would fast for one month, and at the end of the month, they would invite others to their houses to feast with them as a celebration for the end of their fast. Diwali or the Festival of Lights is a major Indian holiday, and is very important in Singapore. On Diwali, you can travel around Singapore, and see various Indian temples and places of worship gloriously decorated with lights and candles; it is truly a beautiful sight. The Chinese new year is yet another big holiday which is heavily celebrated in Singapore. On this day my family usually used to visit our Chinese friends, and give them oranges as gifts. In return, we usually received special red packets filled with money. During the Chinese New Year, it is also typical to see a plethora of fireworks going off during the night, as it is a big part of Chinese tradition. Being exposed to such a variety of cultures, really helped me form my views of our ever so diversified world. It made me evolve into the type of person that does not segregate or separate people by their race, color, or traditions but rather by their moral character. It made me realize that in this world, we are not different from each other, that, together, we experience all the same fears, dreams, and pressures… Singapore showed me that in this world of various ethnicities and cultures, we are not different, but that we are the same, that we are all brethren. "</p>