Social scientists view learning as a relatively permanent change in behavior or capability that results from experience. Others, in my opinion see school as a way to get away from families who do not support diversity and tolerance towards others. As an immigrant from a

country with limited changes and people of only one race I have come across many different sociological factors. Attending Los Angeles Community College I have encountered different types of students, come across distinctive cultures along with subcultures, and influential social factors on my life. Interacting with students who are less of the dominant group and more of minorities, I learned that America is a better place to live even if many people disagree.

Los Angeles City College is a multi racial and multi cultural college. In each class I have students from all over the world. Due to coming from a country of closed minded people and not enough diversity I have adapted with interest and open arms. Meaning, even though I am new to different races and cultures I became socially interactive with most of the races. I have not encountered racism or discrimination by any of the students at Lacc as I would in my own

country. Mostly everything is accepted here. Different styles, actions, and freedom is what interests me most. Students that I have not met before are starting chats daily, inviting me somewhere new, and simply open minded people. Some days I am even repeating how lucky I

am to attend a college with such pros. Realistically, cultures different from mine have encountered racism. Not much seen at Lacc sometimes it is just known and not said out loud. I am considered luckier than most because going through social awkwardness due to one's culture is hard.

Second, although the students are open-minded and tolerable, I have come across distinctive cultures and subcultures. Does Lacc have a distinctive culture as a whole? I can proudly say no. No one is the same at this school. Many students are same races and cultures but their individual identities allow them to break away from the stereotypical answer. I believe in a way each group of friends has their own distinctive culture. The odd thing is, I have encountered this in groups of friends. For example, the group of students who are in bands, group of students who play basketball, the group of girls who wear only black, the group of males who are "pretty boys" and etc. This also falls into the category of subculture. Students

today seem to forget the negativity in people and focus on likes and dislikes. The group I hang with at school consist of males and females, different age ranges and ethnicities, yet we listen to

the same music, have similar likes in out of school activities, and enjoy something new. Even though there is still a couple of deviants who rebel against getting to know other races, cultures, and ethnicities in my eyes much of the student body are good people.

Lastly, the influential social factors on my life are mostly from school. The influences include ethnicity, physical attributes, education, locality, and economic status. Daily I am surrounded by different ethnicities. I noticed I interact with most ethnicities except for my own. I learned I like how other people think, dress, act, and how they were raised. Mainly I have adapted to Latino culture. Most friends and people I have dated are Latinos. Not only because

they and I are both immigrants and are trying a way to get by in Los Angeles but how much we also have in common. Physical attributes at Lacc vary much as well. Students' physical attributes include how tall or short they are, thin or thick, dark haired or light haired, and etc. Are these influential to my everyday life? Not at all. I have noticed everyone is different and attractive in their own ways. A positive influence to my life at Lacc is how students are concerned with their education. I do not hang out with many deviants who choose not to take education seriously. Yet most students are. The difference in cultures and races and yet most students are concerned with finishing high and creating better lives for themselves. Especially the students who are immigrants to America as a whole try and work harder. It seems "we" have to prove to the government that we are not only capable of doing good but we can also do great. Also, the location of this college is in the heart of Hollywood. A place where people come from all over the world to see something new. Same with this school. The location is what attracts me too. I live on the west side close to the beach but choose to drive to Hollywood on a daily

basis to experience something new. The neighborhood is influential to me as a social factor because it is considered not the best neighborhood. And in my eyes that is not a bad thing. Some people have never even seen how less fortunate people live. Lacc is a center of the city where rich and poor attend the college which also falls into the category of economic status. I am what is considered middle class and yet I enjoy driving down to the part of Hollywood where

is sometimes considered not the best. How does this influence my life one might ask I simply reply, I get to see how others live and try to aim higher in life. A simple change of location influenced the way I think since I have started this college. My family and friends became aware of my change in personality. I started thinking more realistically and stopped judging others because none of us know how other people live and went through.

In the end, attending this particular school I have mostly learned I am not only a non racist person but also would like to see more diversity in other places. My experience with education was simply more education, which included not only inside the classroom but outside too. Other cultures have opened my eyes in a positive matter. I became more open to meeting new people and interacting with the multi cultural student body. The "American Dream" some might say include wealth and social status. This may be true to some, but in my experience it's being able to walk down the street and feel comfortable enough to smile to someone others judge and discriminate amongst. I definitely will take advantage of being able to meet other races and cultures because in some parts of the world, like Lithuania

where I am from, that would be unacceptable.