Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Inspiring Global Citizenship Through Culture and Learning

Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 is observed from September 15th to October 15th every year in the United States. It is a timely moment to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities (people of Latin American origin or descent) worldwide.

At Schiller International University, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month allowed us to reinforce our commitment to multicultural awareness, global learning, and the development of students as empathetic and informed global citizens. Hispanic Heritage Month is not only about festivals and food. It is about integrating Hispanic culture and learning into our academic and intercultural practice so our students develop empathy, a critical perspective, and the practical skills of global citizenship through culture.

Origin of Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month initially began as Hispanic Heritage Week in June 1968. It was expanded to a month in a bill passed by Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan on August 17th, 1988. The timing of mid-September was no coincidence. It aligns with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate independence on September 15th, while Mexico observes its independence on September 16th and Chile on September 18th. These overlapping anniversaries explain why the month spans both September and October and why the observance highlights historical milestones and living cultural traditions.

Importance of Cultural Awareness

Cultural awareness lies at the heart of global connection, and Hispanic Heritage Month is a powerful reminder of why it matters so much today. Understanding and appreciating the traditions, values, and stories of Hispanic and Latinx communities will help you become more empathic and connect with diverse societies across the globe.

• Intercultural understanding: Recognizing how culture influences ways of thinking and communicating across borders.
• Cross-cultural communication: Learning to connect and collaborate effectively within multicultural environments.
• Social responsibility through culture: Appreciating how heritage, migration, and community resilience shape global progress.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month encourages meaningful conversations about identity, belonging, and shared humanity.

Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Campus

As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, it leaves behind powerful reflections on cultural pride, identity, and shared heritage. For universities like ours, where students from over 130 nationalities learn and grow together, such moments remind us of the value of cultural awareness and inclusion year-round. If you want to celebrate and honor Hispanic Heritage Month and deepen your intercultural understanding, there are numerous ways.

• Curated academic modules and reading lists: Read literature, watch films, and take a walk down memory lane with Hispanic and Latinx voices to enrich courses in global policy, communications, and business ethics.
• Intercultural dialogues and panels: Engage in conversations with the Latinx community or students to explore identity, migration, and cross-cultural collaboration for a more connected and academic experience and insights.
• Experiential micro-learning: Participate in short, hands-on workshops like dance, culinary demonstrations, or music sessions that bring cultural traditions to life beyond the classroom.
• Community partnerships: Collaborate with local cultural organizations or virtual partners abroad to offer authentic exposure to community narratives and shared histories.
• Digital resource hubs: Curate films, podcasts, and virtual museum tours so students can continue exploring Hispanic heritage and cultural connections anytime.

These approaches will help you cultivate a global mindset and not just celebrate diversity, but also learn from it. Hispanic Heritage Month may end, but its spirit continues in every classroom, conversation, and community we build together.

Inspiring Global Citizenship Through Learning

Through the month’s activities, you can experience firsthand how engaging with Hispanic culture contributes to global citizenship. Participating in cultural celebrations can help you develop skills in cross-cultural communication, respect for different viewpoints, and attain a broader understanding of global perspectives.

Our intercampus mobility model brings cultural learning to life. Whether you are studying in Tampa, Paris, Heidelberg, or Madrid, each Schiller campus offers new ways to connect classroom discussions about Hispanic culture and learning with real-world perspectives. Experiencing how traditions, languages, and histories interact across continents will allow you to deepen your understanding of cultural diversity and strengthen your sense of global citizenship through cultural awareness.

The study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in diverse cultures and have global learning experiences. It will also help you build the confidence to engage with people and ideas from every background.

As Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 draws to a close, we are reminded that celebrating culture goes far beyond a single event. At Schiller International University, it is part of who we are. Honoring Hispanic traditions and celebrations reinforces our mission to nurture informed, compassionate global citizens, students who see diversity not as a difference to overcome, but as a strength to learn from and share with the world.

Join Schiller to take the next step toward becoming a culturally aware, globally prepared professional.

FAQs

Q1. What is Hispanic Heritage Month, and when is it celebrated?

Answer: Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15th to October 15th, honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx communities.

Q2. Why is celebrating Hispanic culture important for students?

Answer: Hispanic culture promotes empathy, inclusivity, and intercultural awareness, preparing students to engage with diverse global perspectives.

Q3. How can international students participate in Hispanic Heritage Month activities?

Answer: Students can host and participate in on-campus events, lectures, workshops, cultural performances, and community programs, as well as explore films, literature, and virtual tours.

Q4. What skills can students gain from engaging in cultural celebrations?

Answer: Students can develop cross-cultural communication skills, intercultural awareness, empathy, and a broader understanding of global history and social dynamics.

Q5. How does learning about Hispanic culture promote global citizenship?

Answer: Engaging with Hispanic culture helps students respect diversity, collaborate across cultures, and apply their learning to international communities and careers.