Abroadia Executive Director Tom Millington published an article in the Finger Lakes Times (Geneva, NY) about the recent Austin Community College program in Cuba. Check it out HERE.
Bella Brown (Nazareth University) who studied in Cuba with us in January 2024, wrote a wonderful article detailing her experience in Cuba and her impressions of the country. Click the link below to read it. Thank you, Bella!
In the picture to the left, Bella is giving us the thumbs up. We think she likes Viñales!
https://8amfeatures.substack.com/p/dont-understand-it-just-appreciate
New! Customized online Spanish classes for high school or college/university students and anyone interested in learning the language. This can be designed to be embedded into an existing class or act as a stand-alone component of a particular lesson. Contact us to learn more!
Abroadia’s Tom Millington co-edited a new book featuring observations by leading international educators about the state of the field and its future. Join us for our virtual book launch on April 3 at 10 Eastern time. Register via this link: https://morganstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwpce-pqzwqHtPkkP7Ip0XBP7jJGk-W79W7#/registration
As a transfer student to Nazareth, I knew I wanted to take advantage of my SPARK Grant and study abroad quickly. With my love of history, the Cuba program jumped out to me as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
-Griffin Bond
Minutes after introducing himself, our tour guide, Abel, said “Do not try to understand Cuba.” While his claim first startled me, over the next nine days in Cuba I gradually began to see his rationale. Havana, Cuba, where we spent the majority of our time, is a city remarkable to the eye. With architecture of colonial style, Old Havana is an enchanting place with centuries of history to share with visitors. Tom Millington, Executive Director of Abroadia, organized an abundance of meetings with Cuban intellectuals, professors, diplomats, and journalists to help give our group a dynamic view into Cuba. Through these conversations, our group gained a vital amount of information about the country we were visiting. Beyond presentations delving into the Cuban economy, political situation, race and gender relations, and much more, our group was treated to numerous opportunities to learn about Cuban culture.
In this manner, Abroadia’s Cuban experience took full form. While providing us with substantial chances to learn of Cuba from an academic standpoint, Millington organized many unique adventures peering into Cuban life. From art and music, to dancing and religion we saw and heard Cuba in an intimate manner.
Looking back to my experience in Cuba, I often reflect on Abel’s statement. I do not understand Cuba, but I certainly appreciate it far more than I did before this experience. I am now more attuned to how the United States foreign policy can impact people in such a personal manner. I am ever more curious about Cuba and its institutions. Most of all though, I feel a sense of gratitude for walking the streets of Havana and building relationships with those who call Cuba home. The Nazareth program, in conjunction with Abroadia, is an exploration of a place filled with charm, passion, and endearing connections. Above anything, traveling to Cuba will empower students to think critically beyond the classroom setting.
Griffin Bond is a junior at Nazareth University where he features on the men’s tennis team. He joined Abroadia in Cuba in January. In the photo above he is conversing with veteran American journalist Marc Frank in Havana.
A Day in the Life of a Study Abroad Student in viñales, Cuba
By Finn Doyle
The most exciting day of my Cuban travels, is when we journeyed to Viñales, about 3 hours outside of Havana.. Here we started with the Cueva del Indio, a natural wonder in Cuba where a river runs through a cave. This was very cool, and taking a boat ride in a cave was certainly a first for me. We learned about the ecology and creation of the cave and how it became a tourist destination after the 1959 revolution.
After this, we ziplined in the hills of Viñales where we could see the entire valley. The view was many miles long and you could see everything including the plains of the valley, enormous cliffsides, and the some surrounding small towns. It was a very fun time and a view I will never forget.
After this, we went to the Mural de la Prehistoria, a massive mural painted onto the side of a cliff. The scale was truly baffling, and I cannot imagine how much work it must have been to paint the whole thing. As suggested in the name, it depicted prehistoric times, and was many stories tall.
After another classic Cuban lunch (which was much needed as it was around 3 pm when we ate) we visited the most interesting part of Viñales, the coffee and tobacco farms. Starting with the tobacco farm, we learned about how tobacco is produced in Cuba, and then most importantly rolled into the famous cigars or “puros.” We learned how the leaves are harvested, how a private farm operates in Cuba, what makes a good cigar, and the art of properly rolling them. The best part however came when we got to light one up for ourselves. Of the 2 cigars I have ever had, that was certainly the best one as it was miles ahead of the other one. Cigars normally are not cheap in the United States, and I had expected these to be around $10 a piece minimum, so I was surprised it was half of that. It's easy to love the Cuban economy as an American.
After this, we went to the coffee farm where we also learned about the process of making coffee in Cuba. We learned how beans are cultivated, harvested, roasted and then ground, all by hand. We tried some and then were able to buy some. I got two with the grounds packaged in water bottles, which thankfully did not bother customs on the trip home.
Viñales was an experience I will never forget, and a great example of the beauty of Cuba, from the land to those that work it and the things they produce. From caves to coffee, and art and artisans, Viñales is an exquisite place and one I am very excited to someday return to.
Finn Doyle is a Psychology and Spanish Major at the University of New Hampshire, with a Minor in Justice Studies. Finn has studied abroad in Cuba and Costa Rica, and is from New Hampshire and California.
Shortly after their arrival in Cuba in January, Nazareth University students enjoyed a presentation on race in Cuba while walking through Old Havana.
ABROADIA ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH COLEGIO DE ESPAÑA.
We are pleased to announce an agreement with the Colegio de España, one of the foremost Spanish language schools in Spain with over 45 years of service to teaching visitors the language and Spanish culture. Set in the beautiful city of Salamanca, Colegio de España offers students small classes and individual instruction along with a flexibility in schedule that students will find very attractive. Learn more at: www.abroadia.com/spain.
Abroadia announces new Global Thoughts Seminar in Guantánamo, Cuba that will run from June 18-25, 2024. This is open to faculty, students, activists, Spanish professors and anyone who is interested in this island nation. Click on the button below the download the brochure.
Reyes Bellver, sports lawyer and arbitrator in Spain, will be our Global Thoughts speaker on October 11th at 10am Eastern time. This event is free and open to everyone.
Register via this link: https://tinyurl.com/abroadia
Join us on September 20th at 1pm ET as we talk with our partners at Máximo Nivel about internship possibilities for students in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru. This is session is free and open to everyone, especially students! Register here: http://tinyurl.com/Abroadia2023-1.
Abroadia has signed an agreement with Máximo Nivel. This allows students to pursue internship opportunities in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru. Máximo Nivel has over 20 years experience developing internship, volunteer and TEFL certification programs for students. Contact us to learn more! Visit the Máximo Nivel website HERE.