From a young age, we are taught that acceptance and love are important values of the Catholic faith. But although we are taught to treat those who are different from us in the same way we’d want to be treated, how often are we around such differences?

Raised by a Catholic family and attending Catholic schools in Mississauga, Ont., I was always encouraged to embrace differences — but no one around me was actually all that different. It wasn’t until I left this community to attend university that the world was presented to me, quite literally. Upon arriving at the University of Western Ontario, I was placed on the “global village” floor in residence. I soon realized that this was finally my chance to put the Catholic values I grew up with into action.

My residence is designed in a way where some floors have themes. For example, the “music floor” is full of music students and is always alive with melody. I, however, was surprised to learn that my placement was on the global village floor. The floor, set aside for international students as well as many Canadian students of different backgrounds and faiths, would become my home.

At first, I was confused. What was so global about me? I thought there might have been a mistake, but I began to observe and learn from the cultural and religious diversity on my floor. For instance, one girl found a Sikh temple near the university and routinely makes trips to practise her faith. Another wears Buddhist amulets for protection and safety in her time away from home. Religious symbols can be found throughout the residents on my floor, such as a small statue of Hanuman brought by another floor mate, which is a Hindu figure said to help everyone in our global village stay focused in their studies.

My roommate, who is also Hindu, spends 10 to 15 minutes every morning in rituals and prayers. I’ve also begun to use this time to reflect and pray myself, making our room a true fusion of beliefs.

On the outside we in the global village may look like a disjointed group of young people. But, if anything, our differences bring us closer together. We’ve even decorated our floor, hanging up a number of flags and maps. In fact, it is not uncommon to find people lingering in the halls, pointing to the various regions on the map they come from.

Having spent more than a month with the people on this floor, I no longer question why I was put here. I know that I bring a unique perspective to our village. I also know that as I learn about all their habits and rituals, they learn about mine as a Catholic youth. This is what is meant by multiculturalism and acceptance. This is what I was taught in school.

I am proud to say I have made the world my home and I pray that others get a chance to do so as well.

(Hurren, 18, is a media, information and technoculture student at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont. Read more about him at youthspeaknews.org)