Hatred targeted toward any group that you've labeled, weird, or worse, different, or even just unknown to you. This has been a theme in our world since long before all of our modern day problems, and a theme recognized before racism. Isolated cultures and societies faced conflict when introduced to each other, dating back thousands of years. Each thought they were superior, only because they didn't know the other's way of living. War, conversion, genocide, are only products of this narrow way of thinking. William Graham Sumner defined this as ethnocentrism: the evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions originating in the standards and customs of one's own culture.

When I moved to China in the fifth grade I realized I had this image of how it would be, the ways people would act and dress. But it was nothing like that, and these ideas came from very broad and inaccurate stereotypes. With this realization came the understanding that it is very easy to stereotype an entire group, which can often then lead to hate, if you only know the limited things you have heard. But it will never be accurate or fair and first hand experience of other people and cultures helps to eradicate stereotyping.

I want to go on this study abroad program because I realized first hand how much a new perspective could change my way of thinking, and I am forever grateful for that. It's so important to be able to empathize with others and experience new cultures.

I have watched so many adults that haven't been exposed to anything aside from what they know, and when they are finally faced with difference or something that is new, they don't like it. Because they don't know it. Lack of perspective causes ignorance. Even in the context of modern day problems, exposure could make all of the difference.

Our government is currently at the hands of a man who cares more about ridding the United States of people he deems different than anything else. Trump talks about immigrants as though they are aliens, accusing some of eating pets, while other times bluntly describing them as poison to Americans' blood. He will let just one stereotype fuel his motivation to deport family after family claiming, “They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists,”(NBC news). His hatred toward an entire group is modern day ethnocentrism, otherwise known as racism. But at the end of the day he is scared of differences. But if he for example had done a study abroad program, and lived with a family that was part of the same culture as the immigrants he deported, maybe he wouldn't do what he does today. Because when their differences are normal, there wouldn't be such a barrier between him and them, giving him empathy.

I want to do this study abroad program because I think amidst all of the problems today, perspective could not be more important, especially as a child who is part of the future. Though I cannot change everyone's close mindedness I want to expand mine. I hope to do my part in broadening the perspective of others as well. In Merida I would live with a host family for four weeks, speaking only Spanish and working towards fluency while also visiting historical and cultural sites. I would learn more about Mexican and Mayan culture, and improve my Spanish to a level beyond where my AP Spanish 4 has taken me to. Although it feels awkward to ask for money in the face of so many more significant problems in our world today, I’d be very grateful if you would consider helping to support me in having this educational and unique experience.