<p>ESSAY PROMPT: Some people say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” meaning that when you are in a new culture, place, or setting, it is best to change your behavior to adapt to the rules and customs of your new surroundings. But does that old saying still apply in today’s world? Isn’t the world better off when people facing a change–whether it is a transfer to a new school, the start of a new job, or travel to a foreign country–retain their individuality and way of life instead of changing?</p>
<p>ASSIGNMENT: Should people adapt to their new surroundings, or should they refuse to change? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.</p>
<p>P.S This was for the October SAT. I’m British, so please ignore any facts I might’ve got wrong relating to the US lol.</p>
<p>A general process of assimilation is always necessary for the survival of the state; the various periods through time show the necessity for osmosis.</p>
<pre><code>When Scandinvians immigrated to the areas around Minnesota in the 18th century, they took on many of the customs of the Puritans who travelled west of the Mississippi River. They did this through traditions such as anglizing their surnames, adopting architectural styles such as the Georgian and Spanish Revival styles and by thoroughly learning the English language. Scandinavians are now one of the most respected ethnic groups in the US, and this shows that a process of osmosis into one’s new surroundings is beneficial for a society.
The South Asian population in the UK after the break-up of the British Empire has also been hotly debated. After Pakistanis and Bangladeshis immigrated to the UK, they were split on either to retain all of their cultural values or to Westernize themselves into British life. Many westernised South Asians are now considered an integral part of British society, with a majority retaining high professional jobs such as nurses, doctors and bankers. However those who retain all of their cultural values have been shown to be ignorant towards the native culture of the UK, with some even demanding that Sharia Law be placed in the UK; this has led to radical groups to protest against them, such as the British National Party and the English Defence League. This shows that how a refusal to change can be damaging to a society, as minorities must respect the indegenous peoples’ culture.
When Martin Luther King campaigned for civil rights, he respected all groups within a society, whether they were Asian, black, white or Latino. However, he also said that if the Black Americans who supported his cause divided themselves so much from what the rest of America believed in, then civil war would have been likely to <happen?>. This shows that for a society to be egalitarian, one most also give up so of their native idiosyncrasies; the majority of Black Americans are now considered to an important part of the US, as shown by the election of Barack Obama, who was educated at Columbia & Harvard, both established higher educational Instititutes within the US.
The Scandinavians around the Mid-West, South-Asians in the UK and the Civil Rights Movement show that a gradual rate of osmosis into one’s society is an integral part of maintaining a respectful attitude of one’s self. As people say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. Assimilation is an important role one must undergo if they want to be considered an important part of their community.
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<p>Also please tell me where I could’ve improved, thanks.</p>
although I don’t see how I made it seem that assimilation is a bad thing in the second example. What would you recommend for the intro? Should I expand further on my thesis or say what examples I’m going to give? I think I probably got nervous as this was the first SAT I did and I rushed abit on the essay.</p>