How do we meaningfully engage with identity while learning about it? What do Latinx and Latin American identities teach us about identity and community? Established by students in 1985, the LARP – Latin American Residential Program – provides an inclusive and engaged residential community to expand our understanding and foster an appreciation for Latinx and Latin American cultures and languages in the College Houses. Students build community each other as they live on the same floor and Resident Advisors and Graduate Resident Associates (RAGRAs) serve as support for residents to cultivate interactions, experiences, and discoveries.

Students will be able to engage in personal identity exploration as well as engage in understanding the needs of different communities within the Latinx diaspora. Residents should expect to learn more about a wide variety of cultural traditions, to celebrate their own, and to engage meaningfully with traditions that are new to them. LARP aims to connect students to other resources on campus for exploring Latinx community needs and identity, as well as developing a cocurricular experience alongside the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies.

In the past, Domingo Social and Café con Leche Conversations have provided dynamic and topical discussions. Events like a private dinner with the Mexican Consul and viewings of documentaries about Latin America have also contributed to student learning. Most recently, LARP has hosted an interactive maraca painting workshop in collaboration with La Casa Latina, hosted a showing of In the Heights featuring authentic Mexican food catering from Don Barriga, and planned a trip to South Philly Barbacoa to support thriving Latinx communities living in Philadelphia.

Participants will be expected to participate in programs organized by the PC RA and to take a leadership role in developing programs throughout the year. Residents can expect to be heavily involved with shaping the direction of this residential experience and involved in the development of new traditions. We will attend programs on campus, connect with the rich Latinx communities in Philadelphia through festivals, community service opportunities, academic resources, and more.

Floor: 16, GA-led

Program Goals: The Program invites residents to expand their understanding of other cultures and foster an appreciation for living in an intercultural community. At the conclusion of the academic year, residents will have:

• engage in personal identity exploration as well as develop understanding of the needs of different communities within the Latinx diaspora.
• Learned about a wide variety of cultural traditions, to celebrate their own, and to engage meaningfully with traditions that are new to them.
• connected to other resources on campus for exploring Latinx community needs and identity, as well as developing a cocurricular experience alongside the Center for Latin American and Latinx Studies
• developed their critical thinking skills
• taken on leadership roles, and engaged with these topics through an interdisciplinary model.

Participant Expectations: Participants will be expected to participate in programs organized by the PC RA and to take a leadership role in developing programs throughout the year. Residents can expect to be heavily involved with shaping the direction of this residential experience and involved in the development of new traditions. We will attend programs on campus, connect with the rich Latinx communities in Philadelphia through festivals, community service opportunities, academic resources, and more.

To apply:

If you are applying to a Program Community, determine if you would like to request a roommate, but keep in mind that your roommate must also be accepted to the Program Community.

For more detailed information on the Program Community application and process please visit https://www.collegehouses.upenn.edu/life/upperclass(link is external). 

Please note that all applicants are required to respond to the following questions in an essay using a maximum of 500 words:

        Why are you interested in joining this Program Community?

        What would your involvement bring to this program’s overall experience?

        How have you participated in your current House community?

Contact:

harnwell@collegehouses.upenn.edu (link sends email), please include "LARP" in the subject header.