Harvard College is home to a wide range of unique student organizations. However, the Harvard Organization for Latin America stands out due to its vibrant combination of culture, connection, and celebration. While many of Harvard’s students primarily hear about consulting or networking organizations, HOLA’s rich Latin American community makes its presence just as critical for its members. To them, HOLA is not just another acronym amidst HUCG, CBE, WIB, or HFAC—it’s a family and, for many students, un hogar.
HOLA is a vibrant organization that brings Latin American culture, politics, and community to life. Moreover, it is a support network that allows students of similar Latin American backgrounds to gather together to embrace their roots and uplift each other. To better understand the organization’s inner workings, the Independent sat down with Outreach Chair Alejandra Conrado ’27.
“I feel [the mission] is to create a space where HOLA and American students feel welcomed,” she said. “Especially…for those who come from international backgrounds, adjusting to Harvard can be very difficult, and so we want to create a space that is a home far away from home for a lot of students.”
While HOLA is centered around Latin American heritage, the organization welcomes all identities. “Really, anyone is welcome to HOLA, if you’re generally interested in speaking more Spanish, or engaging with Latin American culture, food, and music,” Conrado explained. “It’s a space that welcomes everyone, and we hope to spread our culture and create a community full of people that are interesting and celebrate with us.”
However, Conrado also noted that HOLA’s current membership is mostly international—the transition from a Latin American region to a new environment in New England can be overwhelming, prompting many of these students to seek familiar environments. HOLA helps students bridge the gap between academia and identity. Conrado shared this as the reason she joined the organization in the first place.
“I really wanted a space where I could connect with my Latin American heritage and where I could meet other Latin American students here…[and speak] Spanish with them and share parts of my culture,” she explained.
Whether it be through a formal with an explosion of reggaeton, bachata, and salsa, or a workshop that serves as a recruitment and information session to help Latinx students with their career trajectories, HOLA prides itself on its versatility.
Conrado shared that one of her favorite events HOLA hosted was an interactive workshop that aims to help accented, non-native English speakers improve their confidence in job interviews. “If you speak predominantly Spanish, maybe doing interviews with an accent can be really hard or stressful,” she said. “So we try to alleviate some of that pressure and create a network where people can feel comfortable making steps towards their career.”
Despite the positives shared from student members of HOLA, cultural organizations as a whole are at risk under the current presidential administration. The U.S. Department of Education has given schools and universities a new ultimatum: cut DEI programs or lose federal funding. Despite being a private university, Harvard is not immune to these threats—the University received $676 million in federal research funding in the last year.
“I feel like…Trump’s agenda [is] generally anti-immigration and anti-Latino, and we all are a little worried,” Conrado explained. “But honestly, we treat HOLA as a safe space more than anything, and we’re always open to talk about if anyone is feeling insecure and if anyone’s scared about their future in the University.”
“It’s a hard time for a lot of people, and they should feel free to come to any board member…to speak about their struggles and concerns. I think we have fostered a community space that is pretty close to one another, and we have developed that honesty and confidence in each other to really say what we are feeling,” Conrado said.
Despite current political pressure, HOLA remains a secure and supportive haven for Latinx students on Harvard’s campus. The organization prioritizes open dialogue, mutual trust, and respect in order to create a united community that ensures students never feel isolated or alone in the face of challenges. Conrado emphasizes HOLA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“We’re trying our best by providing a safe space for people,” she said.
Jocelyne Delgado ’28 (jidelgado@college.harvard.edu) is ready for the next HOLA formal.