A sweet farewell Past Review

By (International and Global Studies - Latin America, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/03/2013 to 06/11/2013 with

SUNY Oswego: Havana - Universidad de La Habana

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Lean into discomfort with language and with people. If they shut you down, at least you tried. Mostly they don't, especially Cubans.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The University of Havana was fascinating and despite its education being slightly lower than that I was accustomed to in the U.S., it made up for it in numerous other ways, primarily because it forced/ allowed me to interact with Cubans.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Basically SUNY got me there, supplied me with housing, contacts, a brief orientation, a small travel stipend and got out of the way. They let me be me own advocate with the university of Havana (after introducing me to the people I needed to know) and got out of the way. Their tremendous relationship with the university really helped, but I enjoyed this independance.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Loved where I lived, but I might've preferred a homestay if I didn't get so lucky as to live with so many great people with such nice staff. That said, I was where I was because of Cuban government regulations.

* Food:

Breakfast was iffy, dinner was incredible.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

They could not have done this portion better.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I said 4, but this never arose for me. That said, health care was slow and beaurocratic, but solid.

* Safety:

Safest place I've ever been (outside of Middlebury). Truely remarkable how safe Havana is, its too little discussed.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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 $1,000 in four and a half months, ($1,250 if you include sky diving, but that doesn't seem like a reasonable expense to include).

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $10-15
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat at Paladars, take the bus and follow Cubans because they know the tricks of the trade.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I took all spanish courses and there were few foreigners.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Advanced courses at Middlebury, I tended to be one of the worst speakers.
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? Hang out with Cubans

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • Traveling outside of La Habana
  • Hanging out with locals
  • Cultural activities (movies, theater, dance etc...)
* What could be improved?
  • They could give students the option to leave earlier if they want. Program end dates were later than other programs, which I loved, but should be a choice.
  • Flying through Toronto to get there and having to pay for a night in a hotel. We should just meet in the airport in Cancun.
  • Unsure
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? They stay out of your way! Also, Cuba is cool.

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 Urbanite
A 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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Teoria y Historia de Socialismo

Course Department: Filosofia
Instructor: Profesor Toledo
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Great readings, professor very bright and effortlessly garnered respect by students. Assessment fair.
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a
Course Name/Rating:

Latin American History IV (1930-1970s)

Course Department: Historia
Instructor: Rotating
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Yes, had to do reading and occasionally participate in class. Well organized course.
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a
Course Name/Rating:

Historia de Cuba IV

Course Department: Historia
Instructor: Rotating
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Professor spent a lot of course referencing materials that explain topics well, less explaining them.
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a
Course Name/Rating:

Latin American Sociological Thought

Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Rotating
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Most "American" like course I've taken. Professor could probably teach a course at Middlebury, although it was fairly cursory. Mostly lectures.
Credit Transfer Issues: Unsure
Course Name/Rating:

Sociology of Health

Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Reina Fleitas
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Pretty dull and abstract. Never really honed in on particular topics. Big issue with students not participating in course or being engaged, professor expressed it was worst class she'd ever thought. Professor, however, was an absolute gem. Does pioneering research and was not (in my view) responsible for the student behavior, although I'll admit most lectures were boring.
Credit Transfer Issues: n/a