A big adventure in a different world. Past Review
By A student (Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General., Trinity University) - abroad from 08/28/2013 to 12/14/2013 with
Arcadia: Havana - University of Havana Summer
Trips to foreign places are always worthwhile. You not only develop an appreciation for where you come from but you can also see it from some one else's perspective.
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. |
Going to Cuba to "study" is a joke. Even if you do understand everything through the Cuban accent the professors don't care. They are just trying to get you through the system. I'm not complaining, I had a great time while I was there and was very appreciative of the relaxed academic setting but if you have lofty goals of receiving a formal education in a state-of-the-art classroom where the professors goal is to make sure you leave the room knowing more then when you walked in, Cuba may not be exactly what you're looking for. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Fantastic. Our resident director's name was Elena and she worked so hard to make sure our trip went well. I could not have asked for better guidance then what she provided. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I would have forfeited the internet available in our residencia if we could have stayed in a house where the people were concerned with our well being. Cuba is not known for customer service and at the Costillar de Rocinante they did not disappoint the stereotype. |
| * Food: |
3 stars is the average I would give the food as a whole in Cuba. Under our study abroad program we were fed breakfast and dinner at the residencia where the food is delivered via state run channels and is sub par at best. However, I do encourage anyone going to Cuba to eat at casaparticulares. People are allowed to open their homes up as restaurants and they often offer rooms you can stay in as well if you are traveling the island. The food there is amazing. One of the best aspects of my semester abroad. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The language barrier played its part but on the whole I look back and think that we did experience Cuba in a way that most tourists won't ever experience . |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Elena, our resident director, once again was very helpful in this regard. Two girls had to go to the hospital on two different occasions and both seemed very glad to have Elena with them. |
| * Safety: |
Cuba is a communist military state. Police are every where. I did hear about two incidences where people were mugged and even experienced an attempted mugging myself. In my case he tried to use a fake gun. It was also 3am and I looked very much like a victim. Other then that I had very little safety concerns. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
I spent about $1600 in 14 weeks. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Between $100 and $150 depending on whether or not I traveled, how far we went, and what we did. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take the guaguas and eat at moneda nacional restaurants. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced Grammar |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Make friends (that don't ask for the internet or favors or money) that are Cuban. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Bring more soap and shampoo for the Cuban friends we made. It was the only thing asked of us by our closest friends and I wish I could have given them more. |
