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Multidisciplinary Exploration: Cuba in Transition

Spend your winter break learning about the history, politics, education, arts, and businesses in Havana, Cuba while building your intercultural communication skills interacting with Cuban community members of diverse identities. 

Coming soon! This program is projected to run again for Winter Break, January 2026! Reach out to edabroad@kent.edu to be notified when applications open!
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Location

Havana, Cuba

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Term

Winter Break

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Housing

Dormitory

Program Highlights

This course is designed to introduce students to modern Cuban arts, education, politics, and culture while also understanding the country’s history.  

As you study abroad in Havana, you will:

  • Learn about Cuban society, politics, economics, education, science, and the arts
  • Engage in a comparative study of Cuban and U.S. histories and cultures
  • Enhance your knowledge and skills in navigating cultural differences

As part of this course, we will also visit the famous Literacy Museum, an elementary school, a high school, a special education center, a university, two arts centers, an animation studio, and several neighborhoods in Havana.

Program Contact Information

Desiree Dube

Sr. Education Abroad Advisor

Email: ddube1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-7989

Important Dates & Billing

Program Dates: January 5 - 11, 2024

Application Deadline: September 20, 2024

Commitment and Withdrawal Deadline: October 1, 2024​ċċċċċċ

Payment Deadlines & Instructions:

  • Billing for this program will happen through Kent State's online payment system. You will make three deposits monthly leading up to the program.
  • You can pay your deposits online here:
    • Under "Categories" select "Student Travel Deposit: Education, Health, and Human Services"
    • Under "Items" select "Multidisciplinary Exploration: Cuba in Transition"
    • From there, you can add the item to your cart and complete the payment.
    • Due dates:
      • First payment: September 20, 2024 - $500
      • Second Payment: October 15, 2024 - $1175
      • Third Payment: November 1, 2024 - $1175 + airfare cost (airfare will be organized as a group)
Application Process

You will need to complete a Kent State Education Abroad application. These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Guest Application (If applicable)

Are you a student at another university? To apply for a Kent State education abroad program, you will first need to apply for admission to Kent State University as a “Guest Student”. Please apply as either an “Undergraduate Guest Student” or as a “Graduate Guest Student”, depending on your course level.

Once you have applied and been accepted as a Kent State University student, you will receive an email with your FlashLine login credentials. Activate your account and then proceed to the next step, which is to apply to the Education Abroad program of your interest. You can return to this page and follow the “Apply Now” button to start that application.

You can also refer to the FAQs for Guest Students if you need further help.

3. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your study abroad program application, it will be reviewed by the faculty leader. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. You should hear back from us within one month.

4. Commit to the Program

If you are accepted, you need to log back into your application by going to and clicking LOGIN. Once you see the name of your program, you need to click on it and commit (i.e., accept your offer of admission). 

Academics

Course Information

Course Name and CRN: Special Topics Course - Multidisciplinary Exploration: Cuba in Transition

Number of Credit Hours: 1

KSU Sponsoring College: College of Education, Health, and Human Services

Course Description: In this course, students will learn about history, politics, education, the arts, and business in Cuba. Intercultural communication skills and strategies will be put into practice with Cuban community members with diverse identities. Students will also visit the famous Literacy Museum, an elementary school, a high school, a special education center, a university, two art centers, an animation studio, and several neighborhoods. 

Program Language of Instruction: English

Faculty Contact Information

Professor's Name: Dr. Amanda Johnson

  • Title: Director, Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education
  • Email: mjohn275@kent.edu

Professor's Name: Dr. George Kamberelis

  • Title: Director, The School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum, College of Education, Health and Human Services 

Eligibility

  • Minimum GPA: 2.75
  • No other requirements, all welcome
Tentative Itinerary

Below is a tentative itinerary for this program. Sequence, sites, and departure city are subject to changes in availability and cost.

Sunday, 1/5/2025

  • Arrive in Havana, Cuba and transfer to Residencia (accommodations)
  • Cultural, health and safety orientation
  • Walking tour of Vedado neighborhood
  • Dinner at Residencia (included)

Monday, 1/6/2025:

  • Breakfast at Residencia (included)
  • Welcome Reception at CIPS (Centro de Investigación Psicologico y Sociologico)
  • Conference 1: Contemporary Cuba, an introductory grounding-lecture to Cuba
  • Conference 2: History for Cuban Education
  • Lunch at Residencia (included)
  • Visit the National Museum of Literacy
  • Havana Classic Car Tour
  • Welcome dinner (included)

Tuesday, 1/7/2025:

  • Breakfast at Residencia (included)
  • Walking tour of Old Havana
  • Lunch at Residencia (included)
  • Visit to Cuban elementary school
  • Debrief and Discussion at Residencia
  • Early dinner on own (not included)
  • Attend the Canonazo Ceremony at El Morro Fortress

Wednesday, 1/8/2025:

  • Breakfast at Residencia (included)
  • Conference 3: “Batalla de Ideas / Battle of Ideas” Educational Transformations
  • Visit to the ICAIC’s Animation Studio
  • Lunch at Residencia (included)
  • Visit to Pedagogical University Jose Varona
  • Debrief and discussion at Residencia
  • Dinner on own (not included)

Thursday, 1/9/2025:

  • Breakfast at Residencia (included)
  • Visit to Jose Marti Memorial
  • Visit to a Special Education Center
  • Lunch at Residencia (included)
  • RoundTable with APC (Cuban Pedagogues Association)
  • Early dinner at Residencia (included)
  • Guided tour of FAC (Fabrica de Arte Cubano)

Friday, 1/10/2025:

  • Breakfast at Residencia (included)
  • Visit to a high school
  • Lunch at Fusterlandia (included)
  • Visit to Fusterlandia (public-art installations)
  • Farewell dinner and event: Jazz on the rooftop!

Saturday, 1/11/2025:

  • Breakfast at Residencia (included)
  • Group transfer to Airport and depart for US.
Location & Transportation

Havana, Cuba

Havana is the capital of the Republic of Cuba, a country located on the largest island in the Caribbean Sea. Havana is the largest city in Cuba with a population of approximately 2.13 million people.

Transportation

Transportation, including airfare and in-country program travel, is included.

Airports

Students depart from Cleveland International Airport and arrive at Jose Marti International Airport in Cuba. Students will return to Cleveland International Airport at the end of the program.

Housing & Meals

Accommodations

Students will stay in a local student residencia in double occupancy rooms. The residencia includes daily breakfast and some lunches and dinners. Linens and towels are provided.

Meals

Most meals are included in the program fee (including breakfast daily at the accommodations), students will be responsible for two dinners out of pocket.

Financial Aid & Scholarships
Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your study abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

  • international travel procedures;
  • in-country resources;
  • health and safety resources and information;
  • culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

Costs and Funding

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Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program.

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and reach out to the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program.

 

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