Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month

As Latinx Heritage Month (September 15th to October 15th) unfolds across the United States, the Lauder Institute is celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of its students from the Latin America (LatAm) region. Approximately 24% of students from the combined Classes of 2024 and 2025 are from Latin America or have Latin American heritage through their parents.  This contingent of students represents fourteen Latin American countries and territories: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.

We met with a few of our LatAm students to ask them what they love most about their culture. Watch the video below:

✨Mercedes Beras Goico (G’24, WG’24) – Dominican Republic – celebrates the passion, tenacity, resilience, and vibrance of Dominican people.

✨Santiago Gonzales (G’25, WG’25) – Colombia – celebrates Colombian dancing, showcased best at the annual Carnival de Barranquilla. He also loves Colombia coffee culture, noting that the country produces some of the world’s best coffee.

✨Maria Zorrilla (G’25, WG’25) – Mexico – celebrates the diversity of regional Mexican cuisine.

✨Ignacio Marchionna Faré  (G’24, WG’24) – Argentina – celebrates Argentinian BBQ (asado), local music, and the warmth of Argentinian people.

✨Cristian Navarro Delgado (G’24, WG’24) – Costa Rica – celebrates the phrase ‘Pura Vida’ which is used in many ways throughout Costa Rica, but always as an invitation to absorb life at every moment.

✨Rafaela Tord (G’24, WG’24) – Peru – celebrates coming together with her family over Sunday brunch and enjoying great Peruvian food, as well as exploring the natural beauty of the Peruvian landscape.

✨Ignacia Leiva Crossley (G’25, WG’25) – Chile – celebrates her family-oriented culture and its focus on the cooperative versus the individual.