Human after all

I spent the first part of my summer studying in Florence, Italy along with 35 other IU students. During my time there, I learned a lot about Italian culture, history and art. I also ended up learning a lot about American culture – specifically, IU culture.\nOur program was like a microcosm of IU. We even learned directly from IU professors in the comfort of our own pension and around Florence. We consisted of greek members, artsy kids, music majors, a football player and so many more. Within the group, I met some amazing people who I would have never gotten to know otherwise.\nI don’t know if it was because Florence is just a feel-good city, but for the most part, the 35 of us got along beautifully. The unlikeliest of bonds formed, and we looked like one of those posed and clichéd college brochures that try so hard to promote diversity. And we didn’t have to go through some “Breakfast Club” experience, either. That is, we didn’t need to overcome our stereotypes to become friends.\nSometimes, you can find similarities between yourself and others when you least expect. Take, for example, the moment I came out of my shell. I was in the back of our bus after sharing a set of headphones with the athlete in our group, loudly rapping along with Young Joc’s “It’s Going Down.” Clearly, you can make friends with pretty much anyone if you find a mutual song on your iTunes. I realized just how true this was on the many occasions I played DJ for my roommates, or when we all found common ground after coming across an online site that featured hundreds of TV shows. One of my roommates was 12 years older than me, but we bonded over “My So-Called Life” episodes.\nOf course, since everyone tends to flock to those with whom they share something in common, my overall IU group did have subgroups. It’s easier to get along with someone who shares the same interests and tastes as you. Plus, have you ever tried seating 35 in a restaurant?\nBut if you’re only spending time with people just like you, you don’t learn as much. If opposites are supposed to attract in romantic relationships, the same definitely applies to friendships too.\nWe all just wanted to enjoy our time abroad. We wanted to eat the tastiest food, see the best sights and go out to the crunkest clubs. When we longed for home, we watched our favorite TV shows and movies together. Now that I’m back at IU, the memory of Florence still lingers as I see my old friends. I realized that we’re all different individuals, but that we also have universal similarities. We are too often sheltered by our own subcultures and are not often enough exposed to other experiences.\nSo this year, I encourage you all to not be so quick to judge your peers. I urge you not to sit next to someone just like you in class. You could be pleasantly surprised. We’re all just human, after all.