Understanding how to treat people of different cultures in ways that they will appreciate at BYU–Hawaii, which has a diverse population of 2,500 students representing over 70 countries, is a necessary part of life. People need to have knowledge, to share and to respect other countries’ cultures in order to build up a harmonious campus, according to greatschools.org.
“I believe the best way to fit in with different cultures is to share with them, and also it is wonderful that you can share those different perspectives and aspects to your home country,” said Luis Arredondo, a junior majoring in political science from Mexico. Arredondo said he respects this campus.
“Like now my roommate is Japanese and we talk a lot of things in Japanese. I really find some interesting religions in different cultures, such as, the Shinto religion in Japan and the Hindu religion from India.”
Arredondo said he desires to work in the United Nations as a diplomat, and to be a representative of his own country to other countries around the world. “I think being a student at BYU–Hawaii is really special experience for me. If I get my dream job, I will be with people from different countries who have different religions and perspectives. It is so nice to have all these three years’ experience to open myself and to be ready for my challenges in the future,” he said.
“Sometimes, I have heard people saying very tasteless jokes about Mexicans or Mexico. It is still offensive, even if you are not serious.”
Arredondo continued, “For example, last semester, a friend made a joke about Mexican illegal immigrants in front of me. Although I am not an illegal immigrant, I felt bad with what he said. It is not so much hurtful, but offensive because it is still my culture and my country.”
Stacy Tszhuei Chen, a junior from Taiwan majoring in education management, said she thinks that people should think more about others and to try to see some issues from different perspectives, so they can live together and love each other. “To understand and to respect each culture is a good way to create relationships with others.”
Chen said she is from a country that is more conservative, so she had to open herself to overcome the culture shock when she first came in Hawaii. “The more you open to the new things and new cultures, the more you get confidence in a new place.”
To have knowledge on different countries’ cultures is essential preparation for life. When people find positive ways to treat people from different, they will enjoy life more at BYUH.