Cuba Immersion Experience

Course Description

This course will expose students to justice issues by providing them with an experiential learning opportunity to immerse in Cuban culture through study, travel, lecture and small group discussion. 

Instructors and Advisor

Course Objectives

Participants will develop an understanding of the Cuban government, will be exposed to and analyze justice issues, will develop an appreciation for Cuban culture and Cuban people and will gain skill in the Spanish language.

Instruction Methods  

The primary means of instruction will be through one’s own experience.  Students will be exposed to the day-to-day living of Cuban families by staying with host families.  Students will study culture through meeting with leaders of Cuban churches; meeting with dissidents; visiting historical sights, museums and festivals; listening to Cuban music; and eating Cuban foods.  To facilitate individual’s learning experience students will attend weekly reflection meetings and keep a travel journal.  During reflection meetings, students will discuss what they are learning through their travels and assigned course readings.

In addition to experiential learning, students will be assigned course readings and will participate in a two-week intensive Spanish course through the Cuban Language Institute.  Assigned course readings will compliment student’s experiential learning and provide them with a resource in writing position papers.  Students will receive one on one instruction at an appropriate level of Spanish ranging from beginner to advanced.  Students will receive instruction for three hours a day.

Course Credit

Through Spring Hill College, participants may earn up to six credits for participating in the Cuba Immersion Program.  Students may register for three Spanish credits and three credits in Sociology or Political Science.  Students wishing to receive academic credit through Spring Hill College must register prior to their participation in the program and complete all academic requirements of the program.

Calendar

The program is scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2002 with lectures at Spring Hill College. Participants will attend a program where Cuban refugees, recent and from 40 years ago, will share their stories of their immigration from Cuba.  Participants will also participate in a lecture on the topic of U.S. and Cuban relations.  

Departure to Cuba takes off from Miami, Florida on June 28.  The program continues through July 28 when students arrive back to Miami.  Time will be spent in the Cuban cities of Havana, Pinar del Rio, Vedado, Santiago de Cuba and Trinidad.

Transportation, Accommodations and Insurance

Transportation to Cuba from Miami and all travel within Cuba is included in the cost of the program.  All accommodations and meals while in Cuba will take place with Cuban families and are included in the price of the program.  Families are to provide two basic meals to program participants per day.  Insurance coverage is provided through Travel Guard International for participants with the following benefits.

Program Cancellation and Interruption                       30% of program cost

Baggage and Travel Documents                                 $1,000

Baggage Delay                                                          $200

Medical Expense                                                       $10,000

Emergency Medical Transportation                            $20,000

Accidental Death & Dismemberment                          $10,000

Flight Guard                                                               $25,000

Application and Enrollment  

1.                 Fill out the application form from on this website. 

2.                 Print the application form and return it to Justin Daffron, S.J. with a $100 application fee.  If you are not accepted into the program, your application fee will be refunded.  If you are accepted into the program, your application fee will apply to the program cost.

3.                 Since enrollment is limited to 12 participants, upon acceptance a deposit of $500 is required to secure enrollment.  This deposit is non refundable.  The remainder of the program cost is due in full by May 1, 2002.

4.                 The offering of this program is contingent upon the enrollment of at least ten students.

Cost

The cost of the program is $3,200.  This includes up to six hours Spring Hill College credit, transportation to Cuba from Miami and all travel within Cuba, transportation within Cuba, accommodations with Cuban families, two meals per day with Cuban families, insurance coverage through Travel Guard International.

Course materials may be purchased through the Spring Hill College Bookstore.

Sponsorship

This program is sponsored solely through Spring Hill College.  Spring Hill  is a private, Catholic, Jesuit college accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges.