Traveling to Cuba was the most exciting and rewarding experience! January 26, 2024
By Alexandra M (Cuba, University of New Hampshire) - abroad from 01/06/2024 to 01/13/2024 with
Abroadia: Havana - Cuban Culture Program
I made new friends, learned about myself, and learned about Cuba. It was 100% worth it and I would recommend this program to anyone and everyone!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned so much about Cuba in such a short time. The activities were not only fun, but they were educational! The resources we were given were interesting and got me excited to visit! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
the home stay experience was one of my favorite aspects of the trip |
| * Food: |
I felt very well fed and the food was delicious |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
the homestay experience helped with this, but being on the tour bus every day made our group feel touristy. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Vedado and throughout the whole trip |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I am already eager to go back. I feel so educated about the fine and performing arts throughout Cuba, as well as its history and relations with other countries. The activities were so interesting and I was never bored. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $400 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | since this is during J-term, save any money from the holidays! |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | n/a |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | download duolingo before you leave for the trip! |
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? | pack less clothes |
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. |
