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0 Written by Harley Galarneau
Homesickness is a common plague amongst students, and for those more than a country away from home, remedies become a little more complicated. Do not fret! As the University of Lethbridge hosts over 1,000 international students from more than 91 different countries, we at the Meliorist intend to ensure your experience is not one overwhelmed by yearning. We’ve compiled a list of cultural events, dining and grocery options, and international support services. Home is where the heart is, and what better way to keep it warm than through the culinary hearth of Lethbridge’s international restaurants and markets. Beginning with just south of Canada, enjoy international studently-deemed authentic restaurants and grocery stores from a variety of Caribbean & Latin American cuisines:
Little Nicaragua Coffee Company
Little Nicaragua Coffee Company is a locally owned business owned by Nora Margarita Ubeda and Pablo Ubeda. Serving homemade pastries and delectable breakfast dishes, their rich coffee is brewed from beans grown straight from their family farm back in Nicaragua. Customer favourites include their hearty Tipico and Huevos Con Chorizo, sweet Fried Plantain, and aromatic Breakfast Tostada. Open Monday through Saturday, you can find this breakfast stop at 359 Stafford Drive, North Lethbridge.
Montte’s Café Verde
Montte’s Café Verde’s founder and masterful chef, Julio, first graced Lethbridge’s presence 12 years ago, arriving in Canada from Mexico. With a mission to create the recipes he longed for from back home, and aspiring to share his love of Mexican culinary and familial dining, every dish is crafted by Julio’s directive hand. The chilli peppers themselves, used in all the meat and salsas, are shared and sent from his mother back in Mexico. Savouring dishes like tacos al pastor and carne asada, you can visit Café Verde Monday through Saturday at 1503 Mayor Magrath Drive, South Lethbridge.
Antojitos Latin Market and Café
Antojitos Latin Market and Café is a mosaic of Latin cuisine and immersive opportunities! More than just a café, you can purchase from a selection of their spices, canned foods, and hard-to-find elsewhere snacks from their adjacent Latin market, or take part in their one-of-a-kind cooking classes. Stop by today at 333 6th Street, South Lethbridge.
Tacos Made In Mexico
Tacos Made In Mexico is an iconic staple of Downtown Lethbridge. Serving mouthwatering tacos, quesadillas, and a variety of Mexican dishes accompanied by homemade corn tortillas and salsa verde, the restaurant currently only accepts take-out orders through the local Owl Acoustic Lounge due to renovations. Find them at 606 3rd Ave, South Lethbridge, right beside their old location!
Blanco Cantina
Blanco Cantina is a city hotspot for evenings with great atmosphere, great drinks, and savoury Mexican-inspired cuisine. An outing memorable for its tacos, flavourful margaritas, and other various drink deals, Blanco is unforgettable. You can find it across from the Galt Gardens at 319 6th Street, South Lethbridge.
External Organizations
Although as much as we may enjoy stuffing our faces to bury our feelings, Lethbridge has a plethora of supports and organizations dedicated to helping Latin American and Caribbean newcomers and families. Hosting a wide selection of cultural celebrations, educational events, and community initiatives across the city, we recommend reaching out to the following organizations:
- Lethbridge Latin American Association,
- Alizna Mexicana Lethbridge,
- Mexicanos Sin Fronteras,
- Colombian Culture Club,
- Colors of Mexico,
- Saber Argentina,
- Southern Alberta Ethnic Association.
For additional support on and off campus, we implore you to maintain contact with the university’s International Student Association and International Student Services.
At the end of the day, we know your time here with us in Lethbridge is a gift, and that your home is not, nor should be, something replaceable. So, we aspire to remind you of it as much as you’re interested in, and we hope you find comfort in these spaces available to you!
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