UCF Celebrates Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month Posted Monday, October 4, 2021 @ 10:22 AM Andrea Vassallo is a proud Hispanic who moved to Miami, Florida from the small island of Puerto Rico when she was about five years old. Being away from her hometown, it has always been important for Andrea to remember her roots. One way she honors her Puerto Rican heritage is by celebrating the delicious food from la Isla del Encanto, or “the island of enchantment.” As a foodie, her favorite plates from Puerto Rico include mofongo, arroz con habichuelas, and tembleque for dessert. In addition to the food, Andrea is very familiar with Puerto Rico’s rich history and the landmarks she visited as a child. A defining characteristic from Andrea’s culture is the familial bonds and abundance of love throughout the people. Quality time with family is very important to her, and Andrea has made it a tradition to travel to Puerto Rico at least twice a year to visit them. These qualities have translated well into Andrea’s current position as Graduate Coordinator for UCF Housing. Andrea greets residents and other employees alike with the warm, welcoming tone that would give anyone a nice sense of home away from home. Additionally, being Hispanic has helped Andrea in her professional journey in many ways. For one thing, she is bilingual. As a graduate student studying speech and language pathology, this is a great asset to have while working with bilingual patients. Andrea has also had the opportunity to communicate with certain individuals that speak Spanish but do not speak English – something not everyone is able to do. When asked what makes her proud to be Puerto Rican, Andrea stated “One thing I would like others to know about Puerto Ricans is that we are very hard working and determined individuals. Our actions speak louder than our voices and as a motivated and confident generation, we believe now is the time to make a lot of change for our future.” If you find yourself planning a trip to Puerto Rico in the future, be sure to ask Andrea for recommendations! One fun activity she enjoys when she travels to the island is visiting the breathtaking mountains and waterfalls. She added, “Taking in beautiful sights from the top of a different mountain and diving into seventy-degree water is not something to forget easily! I can’t wait to go back soon and visit a new hidden gem!” Back