Values Worth Keeping

College has always been marketed to me as an experience for personal and professional growth; an experience to develop independence and further my own self interests. But with all of that independence and control, it can get quite lonely quickly. The great thing about being in a shared space with a large number of other students is that you are surrounded by other people who may be in the same situation as yourself. Knowing that other people also want to meet new people can be encouraging. While it is important to develop your own sense of individualism and explore your own interests, who says you have to do it alone? I believe a sense of community helps an individual grow and find how they better fit into their world. Whether the shared interest is a game, sport, or movie, having a shared interest establishes a sense of trust with others and establishes the beginning of a new relationship. Especially when you are experiencing something new, there are many benefits to being surrounded with people who have more experience. They can pass down how they overcame problems you might run into as you grow or act as a support system as you learn how to navigate your unknowns.

In many Asian countries, communities act as social support structures for their members. Values such as unity, collaboration, and community all come into play. Who needs to pay for a babysitter when you can ask other members of your immediate family or a close neighbor to watch them for the night? While it acts as a direct contrast to individualistic values commonly found in the United States, surrounding yourself with people who you not only have meaningful relationships with but a diverse group of thought allows for the free exchange of ideas and perspectives that also strengthens an individual’s mind. While maintaining a close relationship with a community is not always perfect, due to the flaunting of drama, gossip, and such, I believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks and a balance of being immersed in a community and being alone must be achieved.