Deck 13: Experiencing Difference

Question 1

The differences you encounter in college will depend on _____ and your unique college experience.

A) how many courses you enroll in
B) your choice of degree program
C) the duration of your classes
D) your own background

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Regardless of your comfort level during your first year, it's important to

A) acknowledge the differences in your campus community.
B) steer clear of students with opposing political views.
C) keep to yourself to avoid making connections with too many people.
D) remove yourself from the situation when differences with another person become apparent.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Gina identifies as Italian American and grew up in a primarily Italian American neighborhood. She went to public school, where most of her classmates came from similar families. Which type of diversity did Gina likely encounter least when she was growing up?

A) diversity of student interests
B) religious diversity
C) racial diversity
D) political diversity

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Hal attended Catholic school up through his graduation from high school. In the fall, he will be heading off to college at a state university. It will be the first time he's lived on his own, and the first time he's attended a public school. What is likely to be the biggest difference between Hal's experience in high school and his experience in college?

A) His classmates will have a more diverse set of beliefs and cultural practices.
B) He will be expected to participate in classes and complete assignments on time.
C) Some of his classmates will be interested in athletics, while others will not.
D) He will be expected to arrive to class on time and stay until class ends.

Question 5

As you get to know students from divergent backgrounds, you should

A) encourage them to change their beliefs.
B) keep an open mind.
C) make assumptions about them.
D) reveal as little about yourself as possible.

Question 6

Growing up, Sook attended a private school. After graduating, he enrolled in a local community college because he wanted to save money by earning credits that he could later transfer to a four-year university. He has found that the student body at the community college differs in many ways from the student body at the private academy he used to attend. When meeting with his advisor, Sook expressed concern about interacting with his classmates. His advisor suggested that he try to keep an open mind when talking with them. What must Sook do to remain open-minded when speaking with other students?

A) Agree with them.
B) Disregard their backgrounds.
C) Use a condescending tone.
D) Listen carefully.

Question 7

A _____ is a preconceived notion about a particular culture, religion, or behavior.

A) label
B) stereotype
C) pigeonhole
D) category

Question 8

When do people usually develop stereotypes?

A) before they are exposed to diversity
B) while being exposed to diversity
C) after being exposed to diversity
D) while experiencing diversity

Question 9

You can find support relating to issues of diversity by

A) ignoring the ways that people differ.
B) embracing stereotypes.
C) engaging in meaningful activities.
D) encouraging others to be more like you.

Question 10

An important part of embracing diversity is

A) keeping silent about your own life experiences.
B) agreeing with all of the beliefs of other people.
C) being willing to learn from our differences.
D) expecting others to value your opinion more than their own.

Question 11

_____ when talking with others will help you connect authentically.

A) Denying your feelings
B) Evaluating your reactions
C) Asking as few questions as possible
D) Dominating the conversation

Question 12

What should you do if you are struggling to make connections at college?

A) Focus on academic concerns and stop worrying about making friends.
B) Fake interest in a belief closely held by certain students.
C) Try to reconnect with old friends that go to different schools instead of making new friends.
D) Find others with similar interests, beliefs, and experiences.

Question 13

Victoria, a Protestant Republican Latina, is a first-year student at the local community college. She is only taking two classes each term because she works full-time to support her family. Although she does not spend as much time on campus as other students, she wants to feel like she belongs there. An advisor suggested she join one of the organizations on campus. Which organization should Victoria join if her goal is to make meaningful connections with other members of the group?

A) Part-Time Student Association
B) Jewish Student Union
C) University Democrats
D) Native American Student Association

Question 14

Kayode's parents immigrated to the United States from Ethiopia over twenty years ago. He attended high school in a predominantly African American neighborhood, where he excelled in math and science. Now he attends school at a prestigious private university where he is studying to be an environmental engineer. Kayode has noticed that most of his classmates are Caucasians who come from a wealthy background. Although they get along well, Kayode would like to find out about opportunities to interact with a more diverse group of students. Which resource on campus would most likely be able to help Kayode find what he's looking for?

A) Career Development Center
B) Center for Multicultural Advancement
C) Registrar's Office
D) Alumni Relations Office

Question 15

Which office on campus would be the best resource for students who served in the military to find other students with similar experiences?

A) Office of Commuter Affairs
B) College Cultural Center
C) Veteran Services Office
D) Office of Religious and Spiritual Life

Question 16

If a Muslim student wanted to hold a meeting with other Muslim students to discuss their experiences on campus without having to fear discrimination, where would be the best place on campus to go?

A) Disability Services Office
B) Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
C) Center for Women
D) Office of Commuter Affairs

Question 17

If you are in a group conversation and want to encourage meaningful connections by getting people to open up and share personal information, it would be most appropriate and effective to

A) share something important about your life.
B) select one person and ask a very personal question.
C) make up an interesting lie to pique people's interest about you.
D) point out the ways in which you are all alike.

Question 18

The best way to explore diversity at your college is through

A) library research.
B) Internet research.
C) athletic events.
D) communication.

Question 19

What should you do when communicating with people from a different culture?

A) Openly share information about yourself.
B) Avoid asking questions about their lives.
C) Strive to talk more than you listen.
D) Limit the conversation to superficial topics.

Question 20

The relationships you establish in college should be based on

A) personal gain.
B) superficial similarities.
C) mutual respect.
D) total agreement on most issues.

Question 21

If you live off campus, your experiences with diversity may occur mainly in the classroom and through campus activities outside of the classroom.

Question 22

Diversity involves more than race.

Question 23

It often takes time to get acclimated to a new environment, especially if you are in the minority in some way.

Question 24

When it comes to issues of diversity in college, your past is irrelevant-only the future matters.

Question 25

The more you learn about others on a personal level, the more you'll make assumptions based on the "group" they are associated with.

Question 26

Most people harbor stereotypes.

Question 27

College is a time to open your mind not only to academic information, but also to new ideas and a diversity of people.

Question 28

Many campuses want to push students outside their comfort zones by providing opportunities for interaction with people from various backgrounds and belief systems.

Question 29

When trying to make connections with other students, it is appropriate to ask them about their lives and where they come from.

Question 30

When you listen closely to other people and understand what experiences have shaped their lives, you'll be able to understand who they are and the differences they bring to the table.

Question 31

Identify five types of diversity you may encounter in college.

Question 32

List three questions that can help you incorporate critical thinking into your conversations.

Question 33

What is the general purpose of campus offices and committees such as the Office of Multicultural Affairs, College Cultural Center, and the Diversity Advisory Committee?

Question 34

Give four examples of ways to find support around difference on campus.

Question 35

Identify three strategies for bridging differences.

Question 36

Explain what diversity is and describe three ways that it has influenced your life. Include examples in your response.

Question 37

Do you feel that you fit in well on campus? If so, why? If not, why not? Include in your response examples of resources on campus that you have used or could use to help you feel that you are part of the campus community.

Question 38

Discuss your level of open-mindedness about other cultures and where you think that came from. Include examples to illustrate your discussion.

Question 39

What makes you different from other people on campus? Describe at least three ways that you differ from other students on campus, and explain why embracing your differences is important to making connections with others.

Question 40

To connect with others who are different from you, you may have to step out of your comfort zone. Describe at least three ways that you can step out of your comfort zone on campus and how each can help you make connections with others. Include examples in your response.