ISU Hispanic Latino Alliance Educational Trip to Chicago
The purpose of the HLA and LLL Educational Trip to Chicago is to provide ISU students with a meaningful academic and cultural experience that strengthens classroom learning through real-world exposure to art, language, and community. The trip brings together students from the Hispanic Latino Alliance (HLA), the HLA Mentorship Program, and the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics for a shared educational experience rooted in diversity, identity, and cultural understanding.
This initiative promotes experiential learning and community engagement, two key pillars of Indiana State University’s mission. By visiting the Art Institute of Chicago and the Pilsen neighborhood, students connect academic study with lived cultural experiences. The exhibits and murals they encounter reflect global issues such as immigration, identity, and social history—topics that directly relate to ISU’s commitment to inclusion and intercultural learning.
For many participants, this is their first trip to Chicago and their first exposure to world-class art and culturally rich Latino neighborhoods. The experience helps students build cultural awareness, appreciation for artistic expression, and a deeper understanding of the Hispanic and international contributions to American society.
The project also strengthens mentoring relationships within the HLA Mentorship Program, as faculty and students travel, learn, and reflect together. It builds community among ISU’s Hispanic and language students while creating opportunities for leadership, personal growth, and academic connection.
By supporting this project, donors help make this annual tradition accessible to all students, regardless of financial background. The trip promotes ISU’s values of diversity, engagement, and experiential education, leaving a lasting impact on participants and enriching the broader university community.
To see more about HLA's activities and community impact, visit their Instagram page: ISU HLA