CASA’s Center in Havana is located in the historic Galería Haydee Santamaría, a spacious art gallery in the Vedado district of Havana. Built in the early 20th century in the Spanish colonial style, and restored in 2015 for use by CASA, the Galería provides classroom space, two interior patios and administrative office space for the program. It is outfitted with limited Wi-Fi access for CASA students, faculty and staff.
The gallery is open for student use from Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 8 PM, and on weekends from 8 AM to 4 PM.
Casa de las Américas
Galería Haydee Santamaría
Avenida de los Presidentes (G) esq. 5
El Vedado, La Habana, Cuba
Tel. (+53) 7 835-1569
CASA-Cuba Staff
Center Director
A historian by training, Rainer has been the Center’s director since the program’s founding in 2015. He earned his Ph.D. in Latin American history from Harvard University, where he also managed the Cuban Studies Program for several years. Originally from Germany, he spent half of his life in Cuba and the United States. Passionate about international education, diversity and inclusion, he was an exchange student at the University of Havana himself. Rainer’s academic expertise is Cuba’s 20th century with a focus on education, history of socialisms and critical theory. He has researched, lectured and taught on Cuba for the past 15 years in Europe, Cuba and the United States. His publications on Cuba cover a variety of themes, such as Cuba’s early educational revolution, land reform and food sovereignty, or more recently Cuba during the pandemic. Rainer is currently finishing a book manuscript provisionally entitled: Revolution in the Classroom. Cuba’s Education Reforms during the Cold War. When he is not at CASA, Rainer enjoys riding by bike in Havana, walking his dog, and dipping into Cuba’s rich cultural life.
Tel. + 53-7-835-1569 / rainer@lahabana.casa.education
Assistant Director
Emily joined CASA-Cuba as assistant director in 2025. She earned her PhD in history from Yale University in 2021 and subsequently worked as a Mellon postdoctoral researcher in American History at the University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on the interconnected histories and peoples of Cuba, the United States and Central America. Emily is currently finishing a book on Caribbean internationalisms during the Cold War. She has published on the gender dimensions of Cuban internationalism and on the revolutionary collaborations between Cuba and Nicaragua during the 1980s, among other topics. She loves running along the Malecón and going out to listen to the incredible musicians of Havana.
E-mail: emily@lahabana.casa.education
Academic Coordinator of Casa de las Américas.
Ana Niria Albo Díaz (Havana, 1987), Graduate and Master in Sociology from the University of Havana, has been a researcher in the Latino Studies Program at the Casa de las Américas since its foundation. She is the co-author with Antonio Aja of the monographs In the Otherness of the American Mainstream: Study of Latinos in the United States (2011) and Latinidad en encuentro: migratory experiences in the United States (2014). She is also the co-author with Jaime Gómez Triana of We must defend Life (2022). In addition, she has published articles published in journals including Casa de las Américas, Conjunto, La Jiribilla, Novedades en Población and Palara.
She has been a professor in the Department of Sociology of the University of Havana since 2017, at the Higher Institute of Art in its Faculty of Audiovisual Media (2016-2019) and is currently an Assistant Professor at the Center for Demographic Studies (Cedem). She is a member of the Association of Latin American Studies (LASA) and is currently finishing her doctoral degree in Sociology at the University of Havana.
Academic Assistant
Surama is a Specialist in International Relations at Casa de las Américas and has been the Academic Assistant to CASA - Cuba since 2017. She graduated as a Technician in Computer Science and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Sociocultural Studies from the University of Havana. She has 15 years of experience in international relations work.
Tel. + 53-7-835-1569 / suramazayasarioza@gmail.com
Computing
Lucila is the Computer Science Specialist at Casa de las Américas and has been the CASA - Cuba IT specialist since January 2025. She holds a degree in Education with a specialty in Mathematics and Computer Science. She has 30 years of experience in the field. She is passionate about the Seventh Art.
"Computer science isn't magic, but it can do things close to magic."
E-mail: muradasgarcial@gmail.com
Receptionist
She holds a degree in Electrical Maintenance Technician and has also worked nursing assistant, daycare teacher, and teaching secretary.
"The reception is not just an entrance, it is the beginning of an experience."
She enjoys spending time with her family.
Receptionist
High School Graduate. She has worked for more than 15 years at Casa de las Américas and is a founder of the Consocio.
"Being a receptionist is being the friendly face that transforms a place into a home."
She is passionate about reading, listening, music and animals.
Auxiliar General
She has worked for more than 15 years at Casa de las Américas.
"You are the silent cog that keeps everything moving. Thank you for your dedication!"
Lover of children, music and good cooking.
FAQ’s
DAILY LIFE
Havana is a large, cosmopolitan city located on the ocean. Its history spans more than five hundred years and reflects a wide range of cultural influences. The city has a vibrant street life, and much of the city's day and night life happens outdoors. Musical and cultural events unfold constantly.
Nearby distances are walkable. It is safe and normal to walk, but the tropical
heat can be an impediment to longer distances. Collective taxis (maquinas) and
Cuban uber (la nave) are the most commonly used means of transportation by CASA
students and local population. Bikes can be used with care but are not provided by the
program.
Cuba is an island in the tropics. It is always warm and humid, with a few fresh days in the winter months. New private cafes, bars, and venues are often climatized, while many other institutions (universities, schools) are not.The early months of the fall semester happen during the late rain and hurricane season. Cuba has fewer places with A/C than other highly developed countries, but your room and the CASA center are both air conditioned (while the University of Havana is not). Be prepared to sweat a lot, especially between late April and October. Be sure to bring light, comfortable clothes.
Classes at the CASA Center are about a 5-10 minute walk from your homestay, while University courses are about a 20-30 minute walk, or a 5 minute taxi ride.
You will live with Cuban families in your homestay in the central district of Vedado, which is within walking distance to the CASA Center. El Vedado is the cultural hub of Havana. Cultural institutions, theaters, the University, some embassies, and parks are located here. It borders the beautiful oceanfront, or the Malecón de la Habana.
Breakfast and dinner are included in the homestay fee, while students should budget separately for their lunch. During field trips and program activities, CASA will cover breakfast and either lunch or dinner.
It is not yet very common or widespread to be vegan/vegetarian in Cuba. In fact, meat is considered a welcome luxury by most. Yet, there is a growing vegetarian and vegan consciousness and options at most restaurants. Our homestay families are very accustomed to providing vegetarian and vegan food as well as accommodating other specific dietary needs. And in Cuba there are many healthy, local, and organic fruits and vegetables to be found that can enrich your diet.
It is important that you communicate your needs as early as possible with program staff. As a less developed country, Cuba has fewer options for offering cost-intensive accommodations. Yet, our local colleagues and host institutions are very helpful, understanding, and adaptive.
Disability laws, resources, and practices vary, so you may not receive exactly the same accommodations when you are abroad as at your home institution. See the Health & Safety page for more details.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Please note that you will only be able to enter Cuba on or after your academic visa start date. Program housing is provided beginning on the program start date only.
Can I leave early or late from my study abroad program?
You can not stay beyond your academic visa expiration date, which coincides with the official program dates. We require students to stay through the end of the program as final presentations are usually scheduled for the last week of the program. Special adjustments in emergency situations may be made.
ACADEMICS
Students take at least four classes that usually meet twice a week for 90 minutes. Classes start at 9am and usually end at 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Few classes take place on Friday, and this is the day when CASA arranges for most site visits.
You may take classes at the University of Havana and Casa de las Américas.
You will enroll in CASA courses alongside other CASA students in the cohort and invited Cuban students. For university classes, students are in class with local students, other international students, and possibly some students from their CASA cohort.
It is required that you enroll in a total of 4 classes. The CASA Lunch Seminar (Tuesdays) and Site Visits (Fridays) are highly recommended for a better understanding of contemporary Cuba.
Course selection and registration happens onsite in Havana, in-person and on paper, two weeks after your shopping period. You will receive academic advising from CASA staff as part of the pre-departure virtual programming and will discuss preliminary coursework in which you would like to enroll.
You should inquire further about the credit transfer process with your home school study abroad office as these policies may vary across institutions.
In most cases, professors will communicate your grade directly to you upon completing final coursework. The processing of the official transcript may take several weeks after completion of the program.
COSTS & FEES
You can find the full program costs here (link to program costs page). Please note that certain charges will be billed directly to students and/or their home school, while other charges are the responsibility of the student and should be accounted for in their overall program budget and cost of attendance.
Budgeting can vary depending on your personal spending habits. That said, we have put together a suggested budget here (link to Program Costs) based on the current standard of living in Cuba and previous student feedback. As a rule of thumb, we recommend bringing 2,000 USD in cash with you for the entire semester and a minimum of 1,000 USD. You will not be able to use a US credit or debit card in Cuba, and it is very difficult to send money to the country. Therefore, you need to plan ahead to bring cash with you.
Most students who receive financial aid are able to apply these funds to their study abroad semester to their CASA study abroad semester. Please contact your home school study abroad advisor and/or Office of Financial Aid for additional information.
There may be withdrawal fees depending on the date of program withdrawal. Please work with your home school study abroad office to determine exact withdrawal costs. To see withdrawal dates and fees set by the program, please see the Program Costs page [provide link].
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
Yes. CASA Cuba includes a number of excursions throughout the semester. Please see the Excursions & Activities page for more information.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website to reference updated guidance on recommended vaccinations and hygiene while in CASA Cuba.
Prescribed medication regimens are important to your health and well-being. We strongly recommend bringing all necessary medication for the duration of your program with you. There is a shortage of medicine in Cuba, and you may not always find all the medicine you desire or need. It may be necessary to obtain a medical provider note or prescription documentation in order to travel with your medication. We encourage you to contact International SOS for detailed guidance on traveling with medication to Cuba.
Yes. Please see the Health & Safety Page.
DIVERSITY & BELONGING
The LGBTQ+ climate in Cuba is evolving positively. Cuba has a new, very progressive family code that prohibits any kind of discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation, and legalizes same sex marriage and gender changes, among other rights. A profound cultural change is happening in a traditionally Catholic and machista society. A public institution CENESEX is pushing LGBTQ+ rights and agendas actively in Cuban civil society. As the capital, Havana is Cuba’s most progressive and diverse city.
Cuba, and especially Havana, is and has been culturally and ethnically diverse. Any form of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. is illegal and punishable. However, racial and gender dynamics (and forms of discrimination) do exist. Rising socio-economic inequalities in Cuba have also racialized components and racial differences are visible. These new forms of racial discrimination are widely debated in Cuban civil society by academics, governmental institutions, and activists alike. Students may also find that as foreigners, even members of a visible minority, their foreignness may be more relevant than their minority status. These issues, their roots, current dynamics and actors who work against forms of racial, gender or other forms of discrimination will be addressed and discussed by program activities and classes.
In Cuba, the general religious make-up is very plural. While the majority of the population might identify as Catholic, the influence of the Catholic church is much weaker than in other places in Latin America. Afro-Cuban religions have a strong presence, as do non-religious people. Cuba became officially an “atheist” state in 1976, since 1992 it is “laic.” Both historically and with the more recent rise of international tourism and visitors Jewish, Muslim, Orthodox, Hindu, Protestant and other religious communities have become more visible and their institutional presence has increased.
As Cuba is an underdeveloped island in the Caribbean that faces economic sanctions, the diversity of imported goods is limited. It has improved considerably over the last couple of years, and you can find a diverse range of food selections. However, you may have to look for it some more than usual and/or ask your host family, program staff or other locals for details. If you have very specific and indispensable dietary needs, you should consider bringing some packaged food with you.
Please note that the local public education system in Cuba does not allow for academic accommodations based on religion and will not offer alternative arrangements for exams/field travel, etc. That being said, arrangements can be made for CASA Center courses in coordination with the program director.
APPLY/ELIGIBILITY
Application instructions can be found on the Apply page study abroad office.
CASA member students should work with their home school study abroad office.
Non-CASA member visiting students, should contact:
Generally, six semesters (or the equivalent) level of Spanish is required. Please work with your study abroad office regarding language requirements and eligibility. You may be asked to take a placement exam if you have not taken university-level coursework at the required level.
CASA Cuba staff, both in the US and overseas, offer comprehensive pre-departure virtual orientations, resources, and support to prepare you for your semester abroad. This will include guidance on academics, housing, program calendars, visas, internships, orientation, and more.
Yes. A visa is an official authorization, typically placed in your passport, from a foreign government that shows you have permission to enter a country and stay for a specific period of time for a specific purpose. You will receive a D-2 academic student visa to study in Cuba for academic purposes only.
