Source: UMB Office of Institutional Research and Policy studies “Fast Facts Fall 2009” from El Salvador Undergraduate Graduate Total African-¬? American 1,609 17% 273 9% 1,882 15% Cape Verdean 152 2% 21 0.7% 173 1% Hispanic 950 10% 152 5% 1,102 9% Asian/Pacific Islander 1,401 15% 193 6% 1,594 13% Native American 45 0.5% 10 0.3% 55 0.4% Subtotal 4,157 45% 649 21% 4,806 39% White 5,177 55% 2,439 79% 7,616 61% Non-¬? Resident Alien 360 295 655 Did Not Report 1,347 488 1,835 Total 11,041 3871 14912 Source: UMB Office of Institutional Research and Policy studies “Fast Facts Fall 2009” One remarked how his parents “met on the boat to America” and how he sticks out culturally because he and uses words like “bloody”. The other was a bit hesitant to answer at first but was of “Scottish and background. He was not first generation like the other and thus the link of his cultural identity with his was not as strong. America is a nation composed mostly of immigrants, all whom forge a unique identity. Many cultures axioms like “Don’t be the first turkey to stick your head up above the crowd” [Chinese] while in present-day we are expected to “develop our personal brand”. What does it mean to belong to one ethnic group over To belong, how much does your choice of clothing bring your heritage into consideration? How about choices? Or your choice of music? One walk around this campus is like a trip around the world. There are people from all nations here, themselves through education and striving for a hopeful future. United by this single purpose, and here by thousands of different roads. Some students are here because their country is experiencing politi-turbulence. Many are here because of Boston’s global reputation as an educational hub. There are those who accident, and those whom under international student status find their families paying very large sums for quality education. Our species has been on a very long journey. As our species’ motherland, Africa is the most genetically continent on our planet. Yet cosmopolitan cities such as Boston bring all that diversity together, and the universities within them a place for dialogue. The infamous “Tower of Babel” was seen as troublesome to the God because, according to Genesis 11:5-8, “They are one people and have one language, and nothing withholden from them which they purpose to do.” Glad to have another chance to on that tower, UMass Boston Students are hard at work making that dream come true