A Course That Impacts Minds, Change Hearts, and Evolve Students by Faith

A Course That Impacts Minds, Change Hearts, and Evolve Students by Faith - June 2025 Scholarship Essay

A course that I think should be required for every student to take would be a “cultural competency” course. I believe that this course would benefit students if being taught as a required class. The idea of my required course would grow the students by the encouragement of having strong social connections and engagements, shapes mental well being and self worth towards yourself and others, and creates a supportive and understanding society within and outside of the classroom.
Throughout my first year of college, within my experience I faced many difficulties. These challenges weren’t encountered in finances or within the classroom. I struggled with continuously witnessing people interact with one another with no value, morals, or respect. Throughout the campus; students and the faculty lacked the characteristic of kindness, compassion, and humility towards one another. As promoted within the university’s mission statement and values, the university didn’t have a foundation of community. Therefore many negative outcomes arose throughout my time being a first year. To name a few of these negative outcomes I experienced and witnessed was one, students being socially isolated, which led to mental health issues. Secondly, was an increased rate of crime on and across campus and a decrease in overall safety, the students felt less connected and responsible for one another. Lastly, another negative outcome among the students of the university was facing economic stability due to the lack of cooperation and mutual support from the school. The student engagement and participation would decline which weakens the social fabric. All of these disadvantages are caused by the absence of teaching about “cultural competency” and the less effort of showing a positive impact of making a difference among those around you by changing for the good.
The course provides a detailed overview of the course including an introduction of defining culture and the importance of cultural competency and self awareness. The knowledge of knowing the concept of culture, what it’s made of, and how it influences students. Highlighting the importance of being culturally aware is beneficial towards student’s personal, work, and social lives. Gaining the basis of the introduction of cultural competency connects to the second part of the overview of the course “understanding cultural differences”. This consists of learning cultural values and norms. It examines different races, ethnicities, and cultural; along with exploring the relevant connections between them as well. The discussion of unconscious bias and stereotypes will be reviewed. The second portion of the course reflects on differences to give students another cultural perspective for other peers around them. These topics motivate empathy, reduce misunderstanding, and provide more inclusive and diverse environments. This increases the collaboration engagement and communication styles and skills of the students within personal and professional relationships. This connects to the third portion of the overview of a cultural competency which is practical skills for cultural competency. These skills include active listening, empathy, cross cultural communication, and cultural humility. Enhancing these practical skills develops students to effectively create an empathetic perspective, efficiently listen, engage, and communicate with one another. The impact of these skills provide interactions based on humility and respect towards everyone regarding their culture.
After students become more aware and understanding about the course, applying the abilities and skills to their lives, and adjusting their outlooks when communicating and approaching situations; they’ll have a positive outcome from exercising the courses outlined in real life scenarios. For example, within the student’s classroom or any campus ground, a cultural competency background enhances educational dynamics by providing healthy growing and professional interactions that influences the learning environment. These interactions vary from student to student relationships, faculty to student relationships, classroom management techniques, or overall school culture. Another positive outcome from applying this course to a student’s daily life is the ongoing development and learning. Growth is one essential for students and this course helps keep this necessity within their life but flourishes the minds and learning skills for them as well. Continual self reflection is another key from ongoing development and learning. It’s important by increasing self awareness, helps identify areas of improvement, and motivates better decision making.
Cultural Competency promotes a better understanding of values and motivates inclusivity. Teaching this course towards every student with a diverse background will help sharpen the minds and grow the hearts of their peers. Along with enhancing the community, academic experiences will also be uplifted. This prepares the students to create empathic and humility based perspectives that will help broaden and shape the world today.