It was a feeling that I will live to remember in my entire life. I had never before been in such a crowd that appeared accustomed to the lifestyle of my place, a home that was going to be my residence for the next three and a half years. I had been admitted at the University for the Pursuance of my bachelor’s degree in political science. I being the only international student in the class. I had a lot to do to get acclimatized with culture.

To start with, I had to attend English classes before the main tuition program. The wide difference between the Spanish language and English made it very tough to get my tongue in line with the new language. I had to accept the bid since it was the only golden opportunity I had secured with local sponsors to pursue the prominent interest at such a prestigious place.

Doctor Mackinnon, my English lecturer, indeed found it tough to get me through the lessons due to my linguistic background. In as much as we were fifteen of us from foreign countries. I had the worst experience trying to memorize the English language with constant intrusion of Spanish words; which made my conversations very pathetic. However, the lecturer was at ease with my verbal mess ups. He constantly encouraged me to consider the use of specific verbs. He also cheered my colleagues to help me out through engaging in talks to get along with my new phonetic experience. I recall making tremendous syntactical errors which could always be accompanied with laughter from my colleagues. I, however, got along with the experience, and, at last, after two months, I could comfortably express myself in English.

A moment to recall was also witnessed when I attended a church service. I could hardly understand songs being sung by joyful worshippers who seemed to enjoy the chorus. I felt like the only dry vessel that was in the room that needed superficial intervention for the divine manifestation. The earlier days were simply a walk through the Sunday sessions, but my urge to pick up with the system enabled me to get into it well. I had to carry along handouts on the common songs sung during worship sessions as well as attending praise and worship sessions to be well acquainted with the culture.

My early stages of learning the language were characterized by a tremendous miss of concepts, and even miss-interpretation of some inscriptions. I remember when I read the direction to the gym and thought it was to lead me to the school canteen. Confidently matching across the corridors, I found myself in the gym facilities. I, however, pretended to be well with the destination and looked composed to avoid malice from people I found in. Although hungry; I reached for some light exercises and slipped out. Lucky enough, I met Steve, a classmate of mine who directed me to the place I intended to be.  Steve remained a loyal friend, and we were there for each other until this moment.

As at the moment, I vividly recall those moments I could not imagine suiting in the new culture and get along with the diverse environment I was in. I can only count the moments as exceptional experiences that can be handled by those who have the passion and the will-power to get along their odds. I indeed appreciate the diverse culture that has enabled my transition to a more cosmopolitan individual who values and recognizes diversity. It is through diversity that we co-exist. The only way to appreciate our existence is by accepting our diversity in cultures.