Matthew Carvajal is young man with Asperger’s syndrome, a condition on the Autism spectrum. Matt, a Sock Wrangler and Sock Scriber at John’s Crazy Socks, is an essential team member working to spread happiness and show every day what is possible when you give a person a chance. Matt is going to college for the first time and sharing his experience in a blog, so others can learn of the challenges someone with Asperger’s faces and inspire others to know that they are not alone.

It’s a strange yet heartwarming process we go through when we meet friendly people. Complete strangers become acquaintances. Acquaintances become friends. Friends become best friends. This is the case at college where the more you encounter nice people repeatedly, the more friendship you form. I tend to think friends shape who you are, so it’s nice to have responsible friends to help make you responsible as well. Also, I argue that your friends should be people who are different from you and have different points of views. Therefore, it’s a great idea to have diverse friends from all backgrounds. You will get tastes of different cultures, ideas, and life lessons based on where these people came from.

College is a great place for diversity. In fact, it is their obligation to make the campus a melting pot. At least, it should be. How else would you learn and experience the people of the world while you are in college? You would really limit your life if you didn’t. So, I suggest you broaden your horizons with people looking to do the same. I know I have been.