Excellent music and cultural study experience Past Review
By A student (University of Utah) - abroad from 02/16/2017 to 03/26/2017 with
ThisWorldMusic: Music and Dance Programs in Cuba
New dance experience, improved Afro-Cuban percussion skills, an understanding of what the Cuban people have suffered both before and after the 1959 revolution.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program included professional dance and percussion instruction, as well as lectures from experts on Cuban history, culture and music, as well as visits with local religious leaders. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
logistics, food, transportation were excellent and trouble-free. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The casa particulare (guest house) with breakfast was excellent and a cultural experience in a neighborhood. |
| * Food: |
More than adequate, sampling of Cuban dishes and exposure to the availability of foods in Cuba |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not intended to be the immersion experience of the TWM Ghana program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Program carried first aid and over-counter drugs, not needed by me but glad they are available. |
| * Safety: |
Felt very safe in Havana, as predicted by program. Used the usual cautions when traveling. Local residents on the streets were very friendly and welcoming to us Americans. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
A unique opportunity to study, dance and play with the National Folkloric Ensemble, and to hear from Cuban experts on Cuban history, culture and music. |
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) |
only costs were 2 dinners, snacks, drinks, souvenirs. Estimate provided by program was perfect. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $25, certainly less than $50. Food very inexpensive in Cuba by US standards. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When Cuban convertible pesos become available outside Cuba, exchange before arriving to avoid excessive Cuba govt fees. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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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? | Conversational Spanish would have been VERY useful. Began a CBT program too late to be useful. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
