Welcome back to my New Friends at PSU blog! Winter break was extremely relaxing, but I am getting back into the swing of things and I am excited to continue introducing some of my friends here at Penn State to those who are forced to read this (hi!). Today I will be talking about my friend Kieri. Honestly, I never would have pictured myself being friends with someone like Kieri, but getting to know her better taught me a lot about important qualities in friends.

Kieri lives a few doors down from me on “the bridge” in Atherton hall. For some reason, when they built Atherton hall, they made literal bridges in the middle of every floor that has multiple dorms on it. I live on the bridge as well, and we all feel like we are a part of a little club living there together. It is honestly a joke, but I have genuinely gotten to know the people on the bridge very well, and we have all bonded immensely. Kieri is also very close with my roommate, Erica, as they have bonded over their similar values.

When I met Kieri, it came off immediately that she was extremely religious and had a very close connection and appreciation for Christianity and god. In the past, I would have been intimidated by someone so religious, but through my experiences being neighbors with Kieri, I have learned that is not the case. Although Kieri is a devout Christian and knows that I am Jewish, there was never any sort of barrier between the two of us. I always feared that I would be discriminated against due to my religion, which is why religious people have intimidated me in the past. Kieri is extremely accepting and kind to all people, and I have really appreciated it.

For example, during the holiday seasons, she got a lot of girls’ gifts on our floor. When she gave me mine, she made sure to say “Happy Hannukah” instead of “Merry Christmas” because she knows I am Jewish. Small gestures like these have meant a lot to me, especially from someone so invested in their own religion. Something so small like that is usually something that goes unnoticed, but I knew that Kieri thought ahead and made sure to do everything she could to make me feel comfortable and appreciated.

Kieri has been a great representation of someone who genuinely accepts all people, no matter their race, religion, sexuality, etc. She has shown me that there is some sort of good in everyone and that I should always have an open mind and not fear discrimination as much as I honestly do.