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concerns cultural differences. Whether you are an immigrant, a visiting student from another country, or the child of immigrant parents, you may experience some "culture shock" when you are thrown into a group where the majority of students' ethic, racial, socioeconomic, or religious cultures are vastly different from your own. Before I entered junior high, I had never met a Jewish person. But, when my mother enrolled me in a private school that was 85% Jewish, I was immediately taken aback. Rather than feeling "different" because my family was not Jewish and did not participate in many of the activities that seemed commonplace to my peers (such as Passover Seders, Hanukkah, and bar mitzvahs), I did my best to learn as much as possible about these different cultural aspects.

Although at first it may be difficult to imagine a culture that is different from your own, and although you may not agree with many of the cultural factors that are prevalent within the majority group, do your best to learn about these differences. In the long haul, you will learn more about another culture, and, perhaps, you may find a new appreciation for the distinct aspects of your own culture.

Overall, while it may seem overwhelming to be categorized as a minority within a social group, minority teens should not become distraught or discouraged because of the differences between them and their peers. When you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, being a minority allows you to recognize the similarities and differences between groups in a way that a member of the majority group may not be able to. Furthermore, in a sense, you have the opportunity to benefit from the best of both worlds.

Learn more about this author, Krystle Hernandez.
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