The UCF Reflecting Pond is a spot where students from diverse backgrounds come together, creating a space for cultural exchange and connection.
Marco Gardelin, ARSA president, and Aura Olmedo, VENSA treasurer, highlight how organizations for Hispanic students hold gatherings that create a sense of belonging and celebrate shared heritage among these students.
Hispanic student organizations at UCF such as the Argentinian Student Association create a strong sense of community by bringing students together through cultural events.
Students of these organizations said they hold gatherings that foster friendships and connections, helping Hispanic students find belonging on campus.
For students involved in ARSA, these gatherings encourage unity and community. Marco Gardelin, ARSA’s president, explained the impact of recent events.
“We recently hosted tailgates with other Hispanic RSOs, like ColSA for Colombia, VENSA for Venezuela and PRSA for Puerto Rico,” Gardelin said. “Orlando has a large Hispanic community and these events help people connect with others from similar backgrounds. Thanks to ARSA, I’ve met the people I spend my time with now and I know that’s true for others as well.”
For many Hispanic students, these events go beyond casual gatherings; they create a strong support network.
“So many friend groups form because of these organizations,” Gardelin said. “When you’re around other Hispanics, it’s contagious — it’s how we are and it’s who we are. This representation at UCF really makes a difference.”
Aura Olmedo, VENSA’s treasurer, agreed, sharing her enjoyment of events held by Hispanic-serving organizations on campus.
“I love these events because we can be active, have fun and meet new people,” Olmedo said.
Through activities like tailgates, these student-led organizations help Hispanic students at UCF connect and celebrate their shared cultures, creating bonds that last long beyond the events themselves.
