The heart of human development comes from new and diverse experiences. An individual who aims for development must seek for knowledge and exposure to the unknown. As a student in Haigazian University, besides the degree that I will soon hold, I have been offered the encounter with the diversity and the multicultural environment I hoped for. It is through this sort of experiences that individuals grow more conscious and aware of the true nature of their respective communities and of the nature of the much bigger world as well. Hence, Haigazian University does not only grant the possibility to grow as a successful person, but also offers the chance to grow as responsible human beings who would understand the world of today and lead the efforts of developing their communities through service and dedication.
In its relative small size, Haigazian University gathers people of different nationalities, races, religious convictions, political affiliations, cultural backgrounds and mentalities. It is an ideal place that proves peaceful co-existence in a small geographic area, compared to the diversity it holds, is possible. Furthermore, my experience in Haigazian University has shown that it is within environments, such as Haigazian or Lebanon, where diversity is highly concentrated, that development of knowledge, reason, awareness and consciousness excel. The tolerant and open minded interaction with what is different from us leads to the abolishment of the virtual distances created in our minds. Most of all, Haigazian University taught me how to understand and cope with differences. It is the discovery of our differences from others that leads us to discover and comprehend our selves.
Harout Akdedian