A psychologist, Baumeister, said, “A need to belong is a fundamental human motivation.”  The ability to form and maintain a stable, genuine relationship is a strong predictor of happiness and healthy life. From a developmental perspective, one of critical tasks during early adulthood is to build up such ability. The notion of ‘connectedness’ is a psychological state of belonging and a sense of closeness in which people perceive that they are understood, trusted, respected, and cared for by someone or a group of people. What would possibly happen when this fundamental human motivation is not satisfied? Research has shown that thwarted belongingness and a weakening of social ties are associated with poor quality of life and adjustment. Further, they are strong predictors of depression and suicide.
   Promoting connectedness on campus is critical for healthy adjustment in college life. More importantly, promoting ability to connect with others during the college years would become great resources for healthy life and well-being. It seems more feasible that we get connected to someone who is similar to us. However, there has been an increasing number of students from diverse origins and cultures on campus. Unfortunately, our culture is not very tolerant of being different. One recent study published in ‘Science’ examined cross-national differences in tightness-looseness, the overall strength of social norms and tolerance of deviance. According to the study, Korea ranked at 29th out of 33 countries in terms of looseness, suggesting that Korea is a tight society in which people have many social norms and a low tolerance of deviant behavior. Although either loose or tight culture has pros and cons, it seems that it is time to pay more attention to our ability to understand and accept differences and diversity.
   Recently enrollment rates for international students have increased and the university has attempted to select students from diverse background. Many freshmen live apart from family for the first time in their lives and get a roommate whom they hardly know. Without understanding and accepting differences, someone around you, including yourself, may feel isolated and disconnected from the world. Promoting connectedness is dynamic and fundamentally reciprocal. Try to be open-minded and respectful of others. If you treat others in the way they want to be treated by others, you can form a good relationship with others. We just started a new semester. I think that it is a good idea of engaging in one of academic or social groups on campus this semester. Promoting your ability to being connected to others will eventually promote your happiness and well-being.