Miyuki

Jan 9, 2008

One of the first things that struck me about London is the high level of multiculturalism. It is by far the most international city I've ever encountered. Walk down a busy street here, and chances are you will hear several languages and see people of different ethnicities and cultures, all of whom coexist comfortably in the bustling metropolis.

It certainly provides a contrast to the U.S., which, despite its status as a "melting pot," does not seem so diverse. Of course, the U.S. does not have as long a history, nor does it have the conquests or Euro-centricity of Great Britain. Being abroad certainly makes one consider the roots of our cultural differences. It also makes us look at how we approach diversity, and how language and ethnicity are central to our culture. Without this new perspective, these topics lose some of their depth.