Douchebags come in all sizes, races, genders and cultural backgrounds. The trick is to make sure you’re not one.

I feel like I’m a little critical of certain things I see my fellow international students do. I rarely comment about it in person for a couple of reasons. After all, it’s not like I’m your dad and get to tell you how to live your life.

Besides, everyone has their quirks, and honestly, I believe that as humans, we need time to mature out of our quirks at a reasonable pace.

However, after noticing a few patterns and listening to people question me about why people with certain backgrounds did things a certain way, it seems like some of us are unaware of the impact we have on people around us.

Consider this: the student population at Wichita State consists of significant numbers of international students and in-state students. There are people that don’t fall into either category. But for now, let’s ignore those demographics.

As international students, some of us have traveled extensively. We’ve met people with vastly different backgrounds than ourselves.

On the other hand, several in-state students haven’t traveled near as much as international students. This means that for a significant portion of the people on campus, we international students are the first walking, talking examples they get to meet. Statistically speaking, most of us are the first person someone in the U.S. has met from our country.

And first impressions matter. Oh, they matter so much. I passionately hated this city in southeastern India for three long years only because I ran into the wrong people during the first few months I spent there.

As the first impression for someone, you leave a lasting impression that would require a lot of effort to undo. And though people on college campuses are (usually) broad-minded and factor in personal quirks before they categorize you as a certain type of person, their behavior toward people who are similar to you is influenced by your actions.

Someone once asked me, “Why do XYZ people smell of XYZ food and try to douse themselves with perfume to get rid of it?”

The truth of the matter is whether you like it or not, you are a cultural ambassador. Whether you’re European, Asian, African, South American, Australian or the occasional Martian (in case this is being read in 3000 AD), you are being observed and are forming impressions in peoples’ minds.

Be the best you can be. The NSA isn’t the only one watching you.