<p>The University of Washington seeks to create a community of students richly diverse in cultural backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. How would you contribute to this community?</p>
<pre><code>Afghanistan, known commonly today as a war-torn, perhaps even helpless country, is rarely thought of as beautiful or culturally stimulating. Contrary to popular belief, the country of Afghanistan and its people are a diamond in the rough. As an Afghan-American, I had the fortune of visiting the beautiful country despite the current tumultuous conditions because of my fathers military position. My experience helped to deepen my cultural understanding and granted me a new sense of empathy for people.
Walking down the streets of Kabul with my mother at my side, I witnessed things that would forever be etched in my memory. I stopped by a little cart to buy some naan, or Persian bread. I looked to my side to see a little girl and her brother digging through a dumpster in earnest. I could not help but feel my heartstrings tighten when the little boy, in a desperate fashion, pulled out a pack of spoiled grapes from the waste. He and his sisters reaction to the finding of the spoiled grapes nearly brought my mother and I to tears. It was as though they had won the lottery.
Seeing the childrens enthusiasm over finding a meager pack of spoiled grapes elicited an epiphany of sorts. I compared the life I, as an Afghan-American, had to the children and people of Afghanistan. The people in Afghanistan do not dwell on their problems or sadness; rather, they are doers. They have an unimaginable amount of courage, cultural refinement and perseverance.
Coming back from a place like Afghanistan, one gains a new appreciation for what they have. The University of Washington prides itself on its ability to house a beautifully diverse student body teeming with valuable cultural traits. After visiting the country of my familys origin, I feel as though I now have a new appreciation and empathy for the human condition.
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