The Dangers of a Single Story
“When we reject the idea of a single story, when we realize that there is never a single story about any place, we regain a kind of paradise.” Have you ever held a “single story” about college life or life abroad as an international student? Is the “music” of a single story so loud it drowns out your ability to make informed decisions? If so, I’m here to help bring some silence. Most of us have found ourselves in situations where we form single stories about places, people, or experiences. But what is a “single story” exactly? It’s a term popularized by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in her TED Talk, The Danger of a Single Story. It describes the oversimplified, often one-dimensional view of people, places, or cultures based on limited information or stereotypes. Relying on a single perspective leads to misconceptions, reinforces stereotypes, and erases the complexity that exists in any subject.
You may ask yourself: are we not entitled to independent thoughts, free from external influence? In many ways, yes, but single stories often gnaw at our conscience, especially when we recognize that they stem from a limited understanding. Ignorance is the biggest catalyst of single stories, often fuelled by misleading information about concepts we are only vaguely familiar with. Our human nature draws us toward forming single stories, as it’s sometimes easier to rely on simple narratives. If you have single stories, you’re not alone—I've been there too. However, I managed to “swim away” from my single story, proving to myself that there’s no good in viewing life through such narrow lenses.
As an international student, my single story was focused on food and attire. I can’t begin to describe the excitement I felt when I was accepted to Tufts University. Yet, behind that excitement, fears crept in quietly, like an uninvited nap after a satisfying meal. I didn’t know what to expect, and the single stories I’d heard about international student life (often from unreliable sources) became my only reference.
Coming from a country with a distinct climate, food culture, and social customs, I wasn’t sure I could adapt to life in the U.S. I worried about the different weather patterns, how I’d be treated, and especially the food—I’d heard so many stories that convinced me food would be my greatest obstacle. These stories filled me with unease, and at times, I doubted my ability to cope.
However, arriving in the U.S. and stepping onto the Tufts campus, I was met by a warm student community that proved my fears unfounded. I immediately sensed that this was a place where I could pursue my passions. The diverse student body, the various pre-orientation groups, and the range of activities quickly melted my anxieties away. My first visit to the Carmichael dining hall left me speechless with its impressive variety of cuisines from around the world. I discovered new dishes, and my single story about the “challenges” of U.S. food completely dissolved.
As for clothing, my warm attire became irrelevant during the summer, and I adapted by refreshing my wardrobe to suit the season. My single story of rigid expectations faded as I learned that adaptation can be both easy and rewarding.
So, I leave you with this question: what is your single story, and how will you challenge it?