PRSA Brings Puerto Rican Culture to Global Café

On Friday, September 25, the Puerto Rican Student Association (PRSA), in partnership with the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), will bring the vibrant traditions, flavors and welcoming hospitality of Puerto Rico to campus through Global Café: Puerto Rico.

Through its menu, Global Café: Puerto Rico will introduce guests to the rich flavors and culinary traditions that lie at the heart of Puerto Rican culture. Attendees can enjoy pernil, a slow-roasted pork dish commonly served during holidays (or a vegetarian jackfruit option), alongside arroz con gandules, tostones, sweet guava pastelitos, and a refreshing nonalcoholic piña colada. "We wanted a very traditional meal," said Arizel Corniel, a third-year finance and sales student and the PRSA President, "We want people to experience the warmth and hospitality that are such an important part of Puerto Rican culture. Corniel continued, "At the same time, we hope Puerto Rican students feel a sense of familiarity and connection to home."

While Puerto Rican cuisine shares influences with other Caribbean cultures, its distinctive flavors come from unique preparation techniques and seasonings. Corniel and PRSA Public Relations Chair Jaydaliz Ruiz, third-year mass media communications student, highlighted staples such as sofrito, a fragrant blend of vegetables used as the foundation of many dishes, and sazón, a signature seasoning blend that adds depth to Puerto Rican cooking. PRSA is an RSO at FSU that strives to provide a space of community for Puerto Rican and Hispanic students at FSU and to educate the FSU community about the island. For Corniel, sharing Puerto Rican culture with the FSU community is especially meaningful. Before arriving at Florida State, she knew she wanted to become involved with PRSA as a way to stay connected to her roots and find a sense of home away from home. Corniel hopes the Global Café provides a similar welcoming community and says attendees can look forward to an atmosphere filled with "community" and "fun vibes" while meeting Puerto Rican and Hispanic students from across campus.

Global Café is just one of many ways PRSA enriches campus life throughout the year. The organization also hosts social events such as Puppy Pilates, cultural programs including bomba and plena dance workshops and collaboration events with other student groups across FSU.

More than just a dining experience, Global Café: Puerto Rico invites the FSU and Tallahassee community to experience Puerto Rican culture through food, tradition and conversation. Join the CGE and PRSA on September 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Globe Dining Room and enjoy a full plate of authentic Puerto Rican cuisine for $12 (credit card only). A portion of the proceeds go to the co-hosting student group. To learn more about PRSA or the CGE and their upcoming events, follow @prsafsu and @fsucge on Instagram.