Before I went to college, my views on diversity were completely surface level. I didn’t realize how much fell under the umbrella of the word “diversity” until I went to college.

In high school, I was part of the Black History Committee, an organization that celebrates African-Americans who have made significant contributions throughout history. We had intelligent conversations, watched and analyzed films and put together an assembly each February to educate students. At the time, I naively thought that was as diverse as it could get.

After spending several years at Quinnipiac, I understand now there is more to diversity than race or “white” and “black.” I have learned a lot from friends, peers and my own experiences that there is more to us than meets the eye.

Diversity is not just race, but gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disabilities, socioeconomic standing and political affirmations.

Who are you and where do you come from? There is no one else around exactly the same as you. Your family is unique to yourself, as are the relationships and friendships you hold with others.

Quinnipiac is halfway through celebrating Diversity Week. Whether you realized that fact or not, it is not too late to get involved in the week’s worth of programming. There is always something new to learn about yourself and others.

Tonight is the Capoeira Dance Performance in Burt Kahn at 7:30 p.m. This is a martial arts dance combining music and dance. You will learn more about Brazilian culture at this event.

On Thursday, there will be a Religion Roundtable on the third floor of Ledges at noon, a History of Drag in the LGBT Community on the first floor of Dana at 7 p.m. and Masculinity Across Cultures in the Commons lounge at 7 p.m.

Diversity Week closes with a screening of the Clint Eastwood film “Gran Torino” in Buckman Theater at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Take a step out of your comfort zone and attend an event before the end of the week. It’s important to learn about your peers inside and outside the Quinnipiac community.

While we are inherently tied together as Bobcats for the rest of our lives, there is a big world out there after our time here.

Matt Busekroos is a graduate student studying interactive media. He is 22 years old, tall, blonde, German, Irish, Polish, Catholic and hails from Shrewsbury, Mass.