- Name: LATITUD
- Associated areas: South America and Central America
- Established in: 2016
- Number of members: Open society
Why were you established?
Guillermo Meza (30), Media Manager: “There are a lot of Latin American countries. They are all quite different but being abroad creates a sense of unity. We want to help students within our community.”
Just like the Indian Students Association, you are an open society. Why so and how do you sustain the association?
Manuela Posada (26), Treasurer: “We are relatively new and first wanted people to recognise us and like our events. We charge a small fee for events but can never hold major events as we do not have a high budget upfront. We have been looking into charging a membership fee.”
You are known for throwing good parties, what other events do you organise?
Libardo Navia (24), Vice President: “We hold cultural and professional events. For example, last year we organised a networking event where we had several speakers and workshops.”
Manuela: “After the earthquakes in Ecuador and Mexico, we organised fundraisers. The whole community came together and collected money to send to aid NGOs.”
Which major Latin American holidays do you celebrate?
Guillermo: “Mexican and Central American Independence Day, Colombian Carnival and Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), a Mexican holiday during which we commemorate those we lost. We made an altar, ate the favourite food of the deceased, painted skulls and gave a presentation on the meaning of the day.”
Which cultural elements connect all Latin Americans?
Libardo: “Dancing and music!”
Manuela: “More than dance, helping each other out and family are very important.”
How do Latin America students and Dutch students differ?
Libardo: “The distribution of wealth is much more equal here. Back home not everybody gets the chance to study, especially not at a university abroad.”
Manuela: “We also tend to be a bit older than Dutch students, as we normally gain work experience and save up before we can afford to do our masters. Some of my former colleagues won’t even get the chance as they support their parents financially.”
Elise Mooijman
- In this series we will be meeting TU Delft’s student fraternities. These fraternities are called gezelligheidsverenigingen in Dutch, which translates as ‘social clubs’, but in fact they’re far more than that. If you’d like to suggest a fraternity for us to cover, please email us at delta@tudelft.nl.
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