During International week a variety of events were schedule to entretain and interest the FGCU students about the cultures represented in our university. I was not informed about the times and places that the events were going to be held, but one day that I had memorize the schedule is the Latin American Day. When I was in Mexico, I always thought that I knew a lot about latin american countries, but when I came to FGCU I realized that Central and South America are so big and so different that it was impossible of truly knowing about these countries cultures, especially living in Mexico surrounded by Mexicans.

I'm part of the International club, but lately I have been so involved with Rotaract that is the only thing im focused. However, when I found out that they had planned a Latin American dance lessons I felt a responsability to make it great. The event didn't turn out as it was planned, I learned a lot.

The event was planned to start at 12.00pm but the organizers did not arrive until 12.30pm so a lot of people had left by then. The food were rice and beans. I like rice and beans but some hispanics felt offended because it is the typical stereotype of what we eat. Nevertheless something that could be rescued from the event was the music. It was not complicated, just an ipod conected to a speaker but it showed how the power of music connect us.

Althought I'm hispanic, there is a lot of things that differentiate people from South America with North America (yes, Mexico is in North America). It was amazing noticing that, althought we come from different places, all hispanics were singing and dancing to the same song. Maybe the song was simple with a couple of words but what it meant for us were the moments each of us had have with that song in our own countries. In despite I was a little upset, the music made me so happy and so homesick at the same time that I had no other chance than dance with my friends.

America has the great advantage of having people with different nationalities that should give a global vision and perspectives, making this country and its citizens unique. It is important to celebrate our international community because it is a way to give thanks to these people their contributions by bringing them a little taste of their culture. A lot of people had not been home in a long time and when they get to show off their country and see that people are interested in it, inspires them to continue in their normal lifes. The Latin American Dance party migth hadn't been a huge event, but for me and other people it meant a lot because sometimes you just need a taste of your culture to stop being homesick and be inspired to continue your life in America.