Essay Undergraduate 716 words

Ethnic Housing in College: Supporting Diverse Student Needs

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Abstract

This essay argues that colleges and universities should establish special housing options for students from ethnic and religious minority backgrounds. Drawing on the experiences of students who find themselves in unfamiliar campus environments, the paper contends that culturally familiar housing reduces culture shock, fosters a sense of belonging, and promotes academic success. The essay also examines how some universities, such as one that provides kosher food for Jewish students, attempt to accommodate diverse needs while falling short in areas related to religious housing rules. Ultimately, the author maintains that special ethnic housing supports the overall college experience and the well-being of minority students.

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What makes this paper effective

The paper grounds its argument in a concrete real-world scenario — a Black female student navigating a predominantly white campus — which makes the central claim relatable and persuasive.
It balances a positive example (a university providing kosher food) with a counterpoint (that same university failing to meet Jewish students' religious housing requirements), demonstrating awareness of complexity.
The essay maintains a clear, consistent thesis throughout: ethnic and religious minority students benefit from culturally supportive housing arrangements.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper uses a source-based argumentative structure, introducing an external article to support its claims before qualifying those claims with a counterexample. This move — "yes, but not enough" — is a foundational technique in persuasive academic writing that shows critical engagement rather than one-sided advocacy.

Structure breakdown

The essay opens with a broad societal claim about diversity and transitions into the specific college context. Two middle sections develop the argument using cited evidence: first addressing culture shock and academic performance, then examining religious-belief conflicts with standard dorm policies. A brief conclusion reaffirms the thesis. The structure follows a classic five-paragraph essay pattern adapted for a multi-faceted argument, making it a useful undergraduate model.

Introduction

Society is made up of people from different backgrounds and cultures, each with unique needs. As people grow up, they are exposed to various cultures and ethnic traditions, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, when students go off to college, they are on their own, without family nearby. If a Black student attends a college where the majority of students are white, it may be beneficial for the college to provide housing specifically designed for students from ethnic minority backgrounds. With this in mind, such students are more likely to feel comfortable in their surroundings and, as a result, more likely to succeed academically.

By setting up housing for ethnic minority students, colleges also help those students become more familiar with their own backgrounds and avoid culture shock when they first arrive on campus. Some ethnic students also require special housing considerations due to religious beliefs. Therefore, for the sake of student well-being, colleges should establish housing options for students from ethnic backgrounds.

Culture Shock and the Need for Ethnic Housing

According to an article by Rebecca Lee Parker, ethnic students frequently experience culture shock when they arrive on a campus where they are in the minority. For example, when a Black woman attends a college where the majority of students are white males, she may feel alone and out of place. This is partly because high school did not prepare her for that kind of environment. As a minority student, she may have no one to relate to on campus while her family remains far away.

With that in mind, students tend to feel more comfortable as soon as they are surrounded by others who share their ethnic backgrounds. Most tend to perform better when they are around people they can relate to. In many cases, students who have already settled in will help newcomers feel welcome. Having special housing for ethnic students generates positive energy on campus, since students perform better when they are comfortable and have others to relate to (Parker, p. 552). For these reasons, it is strongly supported that housing should be available for ethnic students so that they can perform to their full potential and succeed in all areas of college life.

2 Locked Sections · 190 words remaining

Academic Success and a Sense of Belonging · 100 words

"Familiar surroundings improve minority student performance"

Religious Beliefs and Campus Housing Policies · 90 words

"Jewish students' religious needs clash with dorm rules"

Conclusion

It is in the best interest of ethnic minority students to have access to special housing so that they do not feel overwhelmed when they find themselves in the minority on campus. By providing such housing, students are more likely to reach their full academic potential because they feel as though they are in familiar, supportive surroundings — something that forward-thinking universities should make every effort to provide.

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Key Concepts in This Paper

Ethnic Housing Culture Shock Minority Students Religious Accommodation Campus Belonging Academic Success Kosher Housing Residential College Experience Diversity Inclusion Student Well-Being