Excursions & Activities
Cultural activities are an integral part of any study abroad experience, as they allow you to engage with the local community while deepening your understanding of local society and culture. Active student participation is expected in all program activities, as they are considered a critical part of the overall learning experience. Excursions and activities outside of the classroom provide you with an opportunity to experience diverse aspects of local society and culture and to develop an appreciation for your host culture in ways otherwise difficult to obtain.
CASA Cuba activities are thoughtfully curated by program staff and have been adapted through recommendations and suggestions of previous student participants. Some excursions and activities are required, while others are optional and may be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive an activities calendar in advance of the program start date and should avoid making personal travel arrangements that coincide with required program excursions and activities.
Examples of topics and destinations include:
● Movie nights and debates with its actors or directors
● Guided bike, boat or walking tours through Havana and other Cuban cities
● Dancing classes, visits to music, dance, ballet and other performances
● Field trips on the Cuban revolution, legacy of slavery, biodiversity and other themes Destinations include: Cienfuegos, Central "Pepito Tey", Trinidad, Valle de Los Ingenios, Escambray Mountains, Pinar del Rio,Viñales, Santiago de Cuba, Fundación Caguayo, Guantánamo, Tumba Francesa, among others.
Orientation
Prior to arriving in Havana, CASA staff will conduct a series of virtual pre-departure orientation activities where you’ll meet the semester’s cohort and learn important details regarding the program. After acceptance, you will gain access to pre-recorded program orientation videos covering its different aspects (cultural differences, academics, logistics). There will be one live group meeting, followed by individual meetings with the program director to discuss individual needs, interests, and concerns. There will be a final logistics meeting one week prior to departure. This will also provide an opportunity for you to ask any last-minute questions before arriving in Havana. In addition, a WhatsApp group will be created closer to the travel date where you can ask practical questions that may arise.
Once in Cuba, a comprehensive, mandatory orientation program is delivered upon arrival and during the first weeks of the semester to help you get acclimated to the local culture. Required orientation activities include:
● Walking tours of historic and contemporary neighborhoods of Havana
● Tours of our host institutions: Casa de las Américas and the University of Havana
● Navigating the public transportation system
● Health, safety, and emergency information, as well as other important details around academic culture and preparing for daily life in Havana.
Visits are made to Important Historical sites. Such as Casa de Africa, Barrio Chino, CENESEX, Finca Martha, among others.
The program offers activities for students' enjoyment, designed to connect them with their courses and interests. These include visits to the National Theater of Havana and the Martin Luther King Center, Cuban film screenings, conversations with actors and directors, and the Las Terrazas Complex, dance classes, and Cuban cuisine, among others.
Trips to expand the CASA project throughout Cuba and get a general idea of all of Cuba. Visiting important sites throughout the country. As already exemplified.
