Students can travel to Cuba for research

Students can travel to Cuba for research
Posted on Mar 31, 2014by Whitney Lynn

Students will have the opportunity to attend class in Cuba during the
inaugural expedition this summer.
Though the United States currently has a travel embargo on Cuba,
participants in the study-abroad program will be granted access to the
country on a general license for taking classes while on the trip.
Assistant professor of history Devyn Benson will lead a group of
students during the month-long trip as they learn the history and
culture of the nation.
Benson said the program will offer insight into the politics and customs
of Cuba while providing a look into a country starkly different from the
United States.
The two courses offered for the program are History 2195: Special Topics
in History- Cuban History and Honors 3025: Contemporary Cuban Culture
and Society. Benson said they will be looking into Cuba's past,
including the revolution and relations with the United States and the
culture of a socialist country.
Though only 106 miles from the United States, Cuba has developed a
different economy and political system from its one-time ally. Benson
said Cuba still has relics of the U.S. such as cars from the 1950s and a
major emphasis on baseball.
The 25 participants will not only see the capital of Havana; they will
tour colonial parts of Cuba, historical monuments such as the Plaza de
la Revolución and meet with natives in public schools and health
clinics, according to an informational flyer.
Benson said the students will do research projects in conjunction with
the Juan Marinello Cuban Research Institute, which is sponsoring the
University's trip. The institute will provide graduate students on the
trip with research visas so they can continue their work after the
program is finished. Students will meet with representatives associated
with their research projects while abroad.
Benson said she hopes the University and the institute can sign a
memorandum to maintain the program and research opportunities for students.
The program will run from May 28 to June 28 and is open to all students
of any major.
"The more Americans learn about Cuba and the more Cubans learn about
America, the more diplomatic relations can occur," Benson said.

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