How is Miami like Disney World?

Last week I went home to Tampa, FL to spend some time with my family. After a long admission season, it was really nice to relax for a whole week! While I was home, I took a trip to Epcot: one of the four theme parks that make up Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. I hadn’t been to Epcot in over ten years, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was definitely surprised at what I found! Most theme parks I’ve been to are focused on entertainment and exhilaration, but Epcot provided an educational perspective that many parks lack. From the “Spaceship: Earth” ride that highlighted the influence of technology on innovation, to the “Living with the Land” ride that emphasized the importance of sustainability on farming, my brain was full of appreciation for the human spirit. These rides were all part of the “Future World” section of the park. The other side of the park is called “World Showcase” for a very good reason: it’s made up of eleven pavilions that represent different countries of the world. Each ‘country’ has components that allow visitors to gain a sense of the culture: clothing, rides that detail the history of the country, dances, music, and of course, FOOD!

After a full Moroccan meal, I thought about how my Epcot experience was really similar to a college experience. One great part of college is that you learn new things all the time, and you get a better understanding of things that you already knew. But, in my opinion, the better part of college is the exposure to so many different people and cultures. And the best part? That you get to teach your friends about your family’s killer mac’ and cheese recipe, or the Dutch Dance you do every year, or your practice of Bhakti Yoga. These interactions are what make college such a profound and life-changing experience, and these are the things that you have to look forward to!