2 weeks in Forgotten Havana, Cuba June 20, 2024
By Daniel G (Music, Austin Community College) - abroad from 06/01/2024 to 06/15/2024 with
Abroadia: Austin Community College Percussion Program in Cuba
I learned to appreciate even more the things that I have back home. I learned the value of certain resources that here in America, we might just look past. Aside from the essential things, I actually learned some incredible rhythms, musically, that I couldn’t have predicted would actually stick to my mind.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The most hands-on cuban percussive class in the world. I knew nothing of Percussion, let alone Cuban style, and I am now a student of it! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Tom and the team at Abroadia did an excellent job of organizing breathtakingly fun and educational activities that made every day seem worth it. Never did I feel like an absolute tourist even though we had a tour experience, as well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family and the place I was staying in felt like home. A lot of freedom was given to us and the lady reminded me of my own grandmother. |
| * Food: |
Thankfully we got the opportunity to indulge in some great, classic Cuban cuisine, ate plenty of portions, and the cafecitos are to die for! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Spanish is my first Language, so I felt quite at home, however, there were people with us that didn’t speak almost any Spanish. I mention this to future students, my recommendation is to at least learn the fundamentals and basics of the language of the place you’re visiting, since it will sincerely enhance the experience, that much more. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I fell ill on my first full day in La Habana, due to not having slept the previous night in excitement for the trip, and I caught a bad cold. Tom helped me out as soon as he saw me feeling unwell, took me to the hospital and the tour guides, Abel and Marcial, also stayed with me through the whole process. I was healed up by two days later! |
| * Safety: |
I’d be cautious in a place like La Habana, Cuba, where resources are very scarce and income is limited. Some people can and will try to upsell you, steal or hurt you if you are not alert, careful and especially if you are carrying around or wearing flashy items. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was a marvelous time, full with both pleasing and very unhappy things as well. It was my first real time seeing how people can still keep going and be happy, despite their living conditions. I loved the people I met, their handiness, their culture, their natural love of life. I don’t think any other place will quite have it the same way. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Our food and living costs were covered in the program fee. All I spent my money on really was on gifts for myself and family, support for my host family, and on drinks and entrance fees for clubs playing live music or tips for musicians. I think if you are going to do the same as I, you’d be well off with $500 for two weeks. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I don’t think I bought myself food once during the trip, pretty much only drinks at night. Maybe some $50-$100 were spent on my outings including taxis, refreshments, entrance fees, tips, and what not. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | As soon as you arrive, since it’s hard to tell back home just how much things will cost you over there, I’d ask for the general cost of things with a reputable source, such as the host family. Begin to account how much you’d like to spend on what, how much you’d like to change to pesos, how much you’d like to spend (if chosen to) on rum, coffee, or cigars, and how many taxis you will be using and with who you’ll be riding with. Most of your money will be spent on taxis to the old town and back. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
A lot of people speak English, but Spanish is by far the dominant language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish for Native Speakers in High School. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Use a ton of Duolingo, or Pimsleur. Another option to support that is by going to places where you can practice, such as Hispanic restaurants, markets, stores, etc. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had studied the basics of Cuban percussion, how they sound and how to distinguish various styles. It likely would have made my experience a little easier, however, I still wouldn’t have it any other way. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
