Hispanic Heritage Month with Tulane Golf's Isabella Cardenas

NEW ORLEANS – Hispanic Heritage month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in the United States. Tulane golf's junior Isabella Cardenas – who is from Cali, Colombia – sat down to discuss her heritage and speak about her experiences in the States.

Q: What is different about life in the U.S. compared to life in Colombia?
A: "The culture is really different. Colombians or just Latino people are really friendly. We always say hi and hug and kiss. Here it is not like that. When I got here, it was really hard for me to change that and get used to that. The food is a lot different, too. For each meal, we have soup, rice, a meat and a salad and you always eat with your family. In the U.S., it is different. We don't have seasons either. It is always 85 degrees and hot there. I hate the cold, so I like it here because it doesn't get that cold. The schooling system is very different. We don't really have public schools. I could only go to private schools and private colleges. We also go to the same school for our entire lives."

Q: What is something that makes you proud to be Colombian?
A: "First, I would say that I am able to speak two languages. I would also say I am proud to say that I have a different culture."

Q: What do you want people to know about Colombian culture?
A: "We have a lot of natural beauty in our country. We have all types of flowers and natural spaces in our country. We also have great singers. People always think about other things when you say Colombia, but the people are really friendly."

Q: What is something people do not know about Hispanic heritage?
A: "I have had people here think I am Mexican because I speak Spanish. I just want people to know that each country has their own culture and heritage. Just because we speak Spanish doesn't mean we are all from the same place."

Q: Who is someone you look up to from Colombia?
A: "I would say I look up to Shakira. She is a really good singer and I like everything she has done for the kids in Colombia with her foundation. I would also say Lorena Ochoa. She was a golfer and she had a bunch of foundations for young golfers to make them better."

Q: What's your favorite Shakira song?
A: "Waka Waka. The song from the World Cup."

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: "It is bandeja paisa or ajiaco."

Q: How was learning English during your time at Tulane?
A: "It was really hard. When I was at the golf academy in Colombia, I would have some translate what the coach was saying. I would get really frustrated that I had to have someone there and it was really hard. I learned by watching movies and listening to music."

Q: What is golf like in Colombia compared to the States?
A: "It is really hard to play golf in Colombia because we don't have public courses, so if you are not a member at a country club, you can't really play. In my city, we have three courses, but you have to be a member to be able to play. Golf is really expensive in Colombia. You can't just buy a club and go practice somewhere. You have to play on the course. We also don't have many tournaments."

Q: What is your favorite thing to do in New Orleans?
A: "I like to go to Café Du Monde for beignets. I also like to go to Jackson Square where they do shows and watch. It reminds me of Colombia. I like to go down there with my best friend. We roomed together at the golf academy in Colombia and she plays golf at Loyola now."

Q: How have you brought your culture to the team?
A: "I do it with my words. We try to speak Spanish as a team when we can. We are trying to teach Coach [Stew Burke], but he isn't very good at it yet. Sometimes, even with the Spanish speakers, words will have two totally different meanings. Sandra will always try to imitate my accent. Before COVID, I would make them hug more too like we do in Colombia."

Q: What do you want to do after graduation?
A: "I want to stay in the States after school because there are more opportunities for what I want to do. I want to be a sports psychologist or a golf coach and there aren't really any people who do that in Colombia."

Q: What's your favorite holiday?
A: "It is Christmas because we celebrate on the 24th at midnight. We have dinner and play games from like 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. and then right at midnight, we open presents. That's when Santa comes. On the 25th, there isn't really anything. There is something called Feria from the 25th to the 30th and it is like Mardi Gras. There are different things to do."

Q: Are there different holidays in Colombia?
A: "We have holidays about every other weekend, and I do miss that. We also celebrate Valentine's Day in September, so it was just a couple of weeks ago. Easter is really important, too. We get an entire week before off. We have parades and everything."

The Green Wave are set to tee-off the 2021 season in the spring.

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Hispanic Heritage Month with Tulane Golf's Isabella Cardenas

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Isabella Cardenas

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