When I told people in my life (friends, family, anyone who asked what my summer plans were) that I was going to study abroad in Cuba, I was invariably met with shocked expressions and concerned musings. I quickly learned to expect those reactions and followed up my “I’m going to Cuba” statement with an enthusiastic “I’m so excited!” In reality, though, I was just as nervous as everyone I told.
No one I know personally has ever traveled to Cuba. I had no frame of reference for coming here, no one to give me advice and no way of knowing what the conditions would truly be like in Havana, Trinidad, Camaguey and Santiago, the four cities we would be visiting and living in. For almost a month, I would conduct a truly adventurous tour of the unknown. Appropriately, the May Term program I chose is called “Cuba in Question?” — and boy, did I have many questions.
Upon arrival, I felt as though I recognized the city of Havana. The architecture was reminiscent of New Orleans, and overall, the city reminded me of Jamaican cities I’ve visited. Full transparency: The buildings were not well maintained. Some were falling down, and others screamed for a fresh coat of paint. Nonetheless, the vibrant culture of art markets, jazz concerts, cultural centers and museums captured my heart.
The weeks we spent in Havana also were difficult. The heat in Havana was killer. During my program (May to June), the temperature ranged from the low 80s to mid-90s, and we were lucky to find air conditioning in a couple of businesses or museums. I had to adjust to being sweaty at all times.
Within the first two days, I also had five mosquito bites that swelled abnormally (thankfully, some aloe and anti-itch cream fixed me right up). And then there was the typical homesickness, culture shock, etc. that are par for the course when studying abroad.
The experiential learning was invigorating, however. I greatly enjoyed visiting the Colon Cemetery and the National Art Museum. In our free time, my cohort and I devoured the culture in Havana. Some highlights were the jazz concerts we attended, the beach (of course) and bartering at small markets to get the best deals on authentic artworks and souvenirs.
The sweating, itching and general struggle were made easier by my fellow students and professor from The University of Texas at Austin. Our Cuban coordinator, Yoseti, also provided much-needed support and occasional comedic relief.
Now, as I sit on our bus (driven by Hector, who has been our driver for the entirety of the program), I am struck by how grateful I feel for our time in Havana. My homestay there had AC in my bedroom, and the food was delicious.
Our journey to Santiago has already been a long one. We arrived in Trinidad yesterday and walked around the colonial city during the hottest part of the day, which, in all honesty, was very hard to enjoy. Walking around on the original cobblestones while the sun beat down on us was challenging, to say the least. However, there was a silver lining — as there usually is in Cuba — when some of us decided to visit a beautiful ceramics workshop.
On the walk to the ceramics workshop and back to the “casas,” I got to talk to Yoseti. Learning about her life in Cuba illuminated even more about the deep-rooted pride Cubans feel for their country. She is a great example of the national pride and resilience of the Cuban people.
After our 15-minute walk home, we got ready for dinner. The food was delicious. I love Cuban food. If you’re looking for a suggestion, I have to mention my favorite dish, ropa vieja.
After dinner, things got a little less delicious. The AC in the bedroom I shared with one of the other women on the program went off right as we were about to fall asleep. The heat returned with haste. In order to make myself cool enough to sleep, I had the idea to pour water on myself. Luckily, I was able to sleep through the night like that. The other people on the program were not so lucky.
Getting on the bus the next morning, it was evident that no one had truly rested overnight. We were warned that the heat would get worse as we traveled east, but I think we were all hopeful that we’d be used to intense heat with no escape by now. Unfortunately, we are still not used to it.
In a way, being in Cuba has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. Every day feels like a struggle. Then, I’m reminded of the beauty of the island and the richness of the Cuban culture. The gorgeous foliage outside my window and the lively music playing softly inside the bus right now encourage me and reassure me that this was the right decision.
Studying abroad is daunting, no matter where you decide to go. Cuba was particularly unknown to me, which made me especially nervous. Nonetheless, in my exploration of Cuban culture and history, I have found the sense of adventure and discovery I craved when applying to study abroad.
The struggles, challenges and difficulties all contribute to my feeling of accomplishment. I feel more confident in my Spanish-speaking skills, travel knowledge and personal strength because of my experiences in Cuba. Yes, there is little to no AC and I am sweating all day, but I’m also becoming more of a global citizen every day I’m here. I can’t wait to continue learning from such a resilient and dynamic island.
Hook ’em from the road between Trinidad and Camaguey! Y gracias, Cuba. Siempre recordaré las lecciones que me enseñaste, isla hermosa.
This post was contributed by Jane Cleary, a Global Ambassador for May Term 2024. Jane is a junior plan II honors, women’s and gender studies, Spanish, and international relations and global studies major studying abroad in Havana, Cuba.
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