With a Hispanic population that is continuing to grow — up 23% from 2010 to 2020 — the United States is home to Latinx cultures from around the world. Several major cities, in fact, are home to such a large Hispanic population that they feature entire neighborhoods dedicated to preserving the culture. Latin-American students wishing to study far from home can find comfort in the familiar flavors, scents, sounds, and festivities in these places.
Miami, San Antonio, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and Salt Lake City have amazing international-friendly universities, as well as large concentrations of Hispanic residents, making each city an ideal location for Latin-American students to feel at home whether they are on campus or off.
Miami
Latin-American students will feel right at home in Miami, where nearly 70% of the city’s population is Hispanic and people speak Spanish almost everywhere in the city. Latinx restaurants, markets, and shops can be found virtually everywhere across this southern Florida metropolis, but there are a few neighborhoods in particular where students can go to find a sense of community.
Home to the Cuban diaspora, Little Havana is filled with the flavors, sights, and sounds of the island country. The neighborhood is centered around Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street), which was declared a “national treasure” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This lively and colorful thoroughfare is known for its Cuban eateries (guava pastries at the famous Versailles Restaurant are a must-try), ventanitas (coffee takeout windows), shops selling imported goods, and energetic festivals.
For a sense of community, students should head to Máximo Gómez Park, affectionately known as Domino Park — located at the corner of 8th street and 15th Avenue — where locals gather to socialize over coffee and games of dominos.
Art lovers will want to be sure to check out the Miami Hispanic Cultural Center, which includes some of the most recognized arts organizations in Miami. The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is also a popular spot for Latin American, Caribbean, and African art.
The Ancient Spanish Monastery — originally built in Spain and transported to the US — provides a historical and serene setting to worship. The grounds are worth visiting, even for those not going to church, and may feel like home to students missing the architecture of their homeland.
Many events take place throughout the year that celebrate Latin-American culture, including Hispanic Heritage Month, Carnaval Miami, and the Calle Ocho Music Festival, among others.
Considering attending university in Miami? Florida International University is one of the top research universities in the county, cited as #29 in America’s Best Colleges by WSJ/College Pulse, 2024, and #2 for International Business by U.S. News & World Report, 2024.
San Antonio
With a population that is 64% Hispanic and a history dating back to early Spanish settlers, San Antonio’s cultural influences are apparent in its food, art, festivals, shops, music, architecture, and historical sites, such as the Alamo. Latin-American students will find reminders of home in nearly every street of the city, but there are several places to truly experience Latin culture.
El Mercado (Historic Market Square) combines tradition and culture in a lively setting. Walkways adorned with papel picado house more than 100 vendors selling Mexican artifacts, clothing, art, and snacks from stalls and carts. Festivals, including Cinco de Mayo and Día de los Muertos, are popular events in the square.
The city boasts many cultural museums and art centers, including the Mexican American Civil Rights Institute, the first museum of its kind in the US; the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center (GCAC), which strives to promote Chicano, Latinx, and Native American culture through art and theater classes, concerts, and performing arts events; and the Mexican Cultural Institute, which offers exhibits, cultural events, and educational opportunities that showcase and promote Mexican art.
Those searching for a taste of home may find it at one of the Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Argentinian, Peruvian, Colombian, Venezuelan, or Honduran restaurants in the city. La Garita Grocery and Café sells a variety of Latin ingredients and snacks to take back to campus.
The Mission San Francisco De La Espada Catholic Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church offer mass in both Spanish and English for those who would like to worship.
Latin-American students who wish to study in San Antonio should explore The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Los Angeles
With nearly half of its population (47% of 3.8 million people) being of Latin origin, Los Angeles (LA) makes it easy for Latin-American students to feel welcome. The city is filled with familiar items — including top-notch taco trucks and the Museum of Latin American Art — but El Pueblo de Los Angeles and Boyle Heights are where to go when looking for concentrated Latin communities.
Considered the birthplace of LA, El Pueblo de Los Angeles is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to a variety of murals, museums, and historical buildings. The district may be popular among visitors, but it is more than just a tourist attraction. The brick-paved, pedestrian Olvera Street captures the smells, flavors, and sounds of a Mexican-style marketplace. Vibrant stalls line the street and sell everything from churros to folk art. Those who would like to worship can attend services at the oldest church in the city, La Placita.
Home to one of the larger Hispanic communities in the city, Boyle Heights is the place to go for traditional Latin food, mariachi music, Chicano culture, and Hispanic art. El Mercado de Los Angeles is a popular spot to shop for Mexican-made goods, sample Latin flavors (like buñuelos – dough fried and coated in sugar), and hear mariachi music. If the latter is of interest, Mariachi Plaza celebrates the music’s rich history with murals and a statue of Lucha Reyes.
Hispanic events and festivals take place year-round in LA, including Mexican Independence Day, Dia de Los Muertos, LA Taste of Ecuador, Latin Night, Mexipino Food Fest, and many more.
Latino Heritage LA also hosts community events, such as art exhibits and live concerts, throughout the year, while its blog and social media channels “highlight Latino history, excellence, and culture while connecting Latino Angelenos with one another.”
Latin-American students considering college in LA should take a closer look at American Collegiate LA, AMDA College of the Performing Arts, Whittier College, and Pepperdine University.
Chicago
Thanks to nearly 30% of its population being Hispanic, Chicago provides plenty of places for Latin-American students to feel at home. While traditional Latin flavors can be found at food trucks as well as fine dining restaurants all over the city, the neighborhoods of Pilsen and Little Village offer a true sense of culture alongside great food.
Located southwest of the Loop in the Lower West Side, the Pilsen neighborhood is known for its authentic Mexican flavors, artwork, shopping, and outdoor space. In addition to the 16th Street Murals that feature more than 50 murals along a two-mile embankment, Pilsen is also home to the National Museum of Mexican Art, which boasts the country’s largest Mexican art collection and is free to visit. Stop by Carnitas Uruapan for carnitas; Rubi’s Tacos for the namesake dish; Kristoffer's Café & Bakery for tres leches cake; and Cafe Jumping Bean for coffee. Add La Casa del Pueblo to your must-visit for imported ingredients, snacks, and spices.
Known as “Mexico of the Midwest,” Little Village (affectionately called La Villita by locals) boasts a strong Hispanic community that is showcased in its unique shops, eateries, and artwork. 26th street is a popular place to shop, with more than 500 Mexican-owned businesses selling everything from Latin snacks to quinceañera dresses. Be sure to grab a frozen treat from a paletero (push cart) or a freshly made tamale from one of the many food stalls. Nuevo Leon Restaurant is a favorite among locals and has been serving authentic Mexican dishes since 1977.
Located near the Magnificent Mile, the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago features eight Latino congregations for those who wish to worship.
Several events celebrating Hispanic culture take place each year, including Sueños Music Festival, Fiesta del Sol, LatiNxt Festival, Hispanic Heritage Month, Dia de los Muertos, and Cinco de Mayo, among many others.
Chicago has a lot of options for Latin-American students wanting to study in the city, including University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Roosevelt University, Trinity Christian College, and Lewis University.
New York City
New York City is home to some of the best colleges in the world and is ranked #3 in the World’s Best Cities Report (Resonance Consultancy). And with more than a quarter of its population being Hispanic, the city is an ideal spot for Latin-American students to study.
Whether it is Brazilian, Cuban, Mexican, Dominican, Ecuadorian, Colombian, or others, Latin cultures from around the globe are showcased in the city’s wide range of restaurants, shops, markets, artwork, music, and festivals. Students should visit the neighborhoods of Corona, East Harlem, South Bronx, and Washington Heights to find concentrated Latin communities and a sense of belonging.
New York City is the epicenter of art, and Latin-American students will find a myriad of ways to experience theater, art, dance, literature, and music, including Repertorio Español, El Musio del Barrio, The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center Inc., Ballet Hispanico, Mil Mundos Books, and the Hispanic Society Museum and Library, among others.
For those Latin-American students who would like to worship, there are Hispanic ministries located throughout the city, including the Episcopal Diocese of New York and the Latinx Ministry at the Riverside Church. The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe is “a national parish, responsible for the spiritual care of all Hispanics of the city,” and offers mass in Spanish and English.
It is not uncommon to find a Latin event on any given day in the city, but some of the major celebrations include the New York Latin Food Festival during Hispanic Heritage Month, Latino Music Festival, Latin Fest, Dias de Muertos, and Cinco de Mayo.
Latin-American students may want to learn more about Adelphi University, The New School, St. Thomas Aquinas College, and Stony Brook University when considering schools in New York City.
Salt Lake City
With a Hispanic population comprising nearly 20% of the city’s residents, Salt Lake City wouldn’t be the thriving metropolis it is today without its Latin inhabitants.
Surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, the city is a jumping-off point for many who love outdoor adventures. The Facebook group, Latinos Outdoors Salt Lake City, is a community for outdoor enthusiasts who want to participate in sports, hiking, fishing, and more.
For a taste of Latin cuisine, the only place to start is the Red Iguana, which has been making Mexican dishes, including its signature mole, for more than 40 years. Chile-Tepin is another popular spot for Mexican cuisine, with many dishes made from family recipes.
Students can recreate their own family dishes by shopping for Latin ingredients, produce, and spices at Rancho Markets. The grocery store also sells a wide variety of imported snacks for those who prefer not to cook.
For those wanting to connect with their culture through art, literature, or film, the Artes de Mexico en Utah provides several opportunities to experience art or get involved through their own work.
While Salt Lake City is steeped in Mormon religion, with plenty of LDS churches for those who wish to worship, the Cathedral of the Madeleine is another option and offers mass in Spanish and English.
Several major Hispanic events take place in Salt Lake City each year, including Cinco de Mayo, the Hispanic Heritage Festival, and the Latino Arts Festival.
Want to study in Salt Lake City? University of Utah and Utah Tech University are both great options for Latin-American students.
Find Your Home Away From Home
As the Hispanic population continues to grow in the US, Latin-American students will find greater opportunities to find community in more places than ever before. These six cities, however, already have everything a student might need to feel at home today.
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