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A SIGNATURE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
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Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 USA
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A SIGNATURE STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN 37132 USA |
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MTSU On the Record:
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Inside MTSU:
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MTSU Cuba provides students with a unique opportunity to study in Cuba in an intensive cultural/language immersion setting. The program operates entirely within current U.S. and Cuban laws.
With eleven million inhabitants, Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean. Though it is one of our closest neighbors – the distance from Florida to Cuba is only half the distance from Nashville to Memphis – Cuba is a place Americans know almost nothing about. It is a country of controversy and contrast: though it is economically poor, Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the Americas, and Cubans live longer lives than most others on the continent.
This 3-week program orients students to all aspects of Cuba life and culture, particularly its struggles and successes as one of the last remaining communist nations. Focal points include education and literacy, health care, agriculture, the arts, and many others. Students will learn from Cuban experts both inside and outside the classroom. Like other Latin peoples, Cubans are typically friendly and easygoing with American visitors.
The program is based in Havana, the capital city, where colonial Spanish buildings stand alongside modern hotels and high-rises. The Havana malecón, or seafront, is one of the most picturesque in the world.
The program is language-intensive. It is strongly recommended that participants have completed SPAN 1020 (second semester college Spanish) or its equivalent before trip departure, and admission priority will be given to students who have already completed SPAN 1020 at the time of signup. In Cuba, students will be able to improve their language skills as well as their knowledge of Cuban culture through interactions with locals and explorations of this spectacular capital city.
You can view more photos at the MTSU Cuba Facebook page.
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MTSU Cuba faculty hold advanced degrees in program subjects and have many years of experience arranging study abroad programs in Cuba.
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Ric Morris (program director) has taught Spanish and Linguistics at Middle Tennessee State University since 1998. He has traveled extensively throughout Latin America and has visited Cuba six times since 2000, five as an educational program director and once on a humanitarian visit. He has extensive knowledge of Cuba, its people, its customs, and its language. As program director for MTSU Cuba, he handles all academic details of the trip and journeys with the group for the duration of the program. |  |
Rodrigo González (site director) is a native of Cuba who resides in Havana. He has been active in research, consulting, and coordinating exchange programs in Cuba for 18 years. He currently works as Cuba program director for Girasol, a non-profit study abroad endeavor based in San Francisco, CA, and as a researcher for Proyecto Espiral, a youth organization associated with the Cuban Ministry of Culture. He holds degrees in Social Science and Political Science from the University of Havana and San Francisco State University. As site director, Rodrigo is in charge of all logistical details on the Cuban side. |
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Holly Knox (assistant program director) is an adjunct professor of Spanish at MTSU and Belmont University. She has participated twice in Vanderbilt’s Center for Latin American Studies Summer Institutes for Teachers, visiting the Dominican Republic and Mexico, where she conducted research on the Caste War in the Yucatán. She has also conducted medical mission work in Nicaragua. She volunteers as a translator for the local Hispanic community in Nashville and for Murfreesboro City Schools. |
In Havana, students learn first-hand from local experts on a range of topics in air-conditioned, fully-equipped classrooms and on field trips around the city.
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Upon successful completion of the program, students will earn six (6) hours of undergraduate credit, allocated as follows:
| Unit: | Available courses: | Credit hours: | Grading method: | Please note: |
| Cuban culture | ANTH 3710 GS 3010 SPAN 3990 |
3 hours | letter grade | Students wishing to receive Spanish credit for the Cuban culture component MUST take SPAN 3990 for this component. |
| Spanish language | SPAN 3990 | 3 hours | letter grade | ALL participants must take this course. |
Students choose how they want their six hours to be allocated. NOTE: Students wishing to earn Spanish credit for the Cuban culture unit must take SPAN 3990 for that component. All students take three hours of SPAN 3990 for the Spanish language unit. This means that students wishing to earn Spanish credit must allocate all six hours to SPAN 3990.
The Cuban culture unit is conducted entirely in English. It is taught by expert Cuban faculty, all of whom hold either Master's or doctorate degrees in their fields. It involves classroom lecture/discussion and several field trips. Students earning Spanish credit for the course must participate in additional language-related cultural activities while in Cuba.
The Cuban culture unit also includes planned cultural activities on some evenings and weekends with members of Proyecto Espiral, a Cuban youth club whose members range in age from early 20s to late 30s. Members of the club vary in their English ability. Students seeking Spanish credit for the Cuban culture course are expected to use ONLY SPANISH in their interactions with the young people of Proyecto Espiral, and must complete additional assignments.
"This has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life."
– real student comment
The Spanish language unit is taught as a part of the regular summer curriculum at the University of Havana College of Modern Languages. Students take a placement exam on the first day of class. Class time is 9-12:30 Mon-Fri. The class runs two weeks. The classes are taught by native Cuban faculty and usually have students from other countries around the world. Faculty frequently speak little or no English!
The program runs May 25-June 17, 2012. Students must participate in three (3) mandatory program orientations before the trip. The first week of the program is devoted to studying Cuban culture in Cuba. The second and third weeks are dedicated to learning Spanish in an intensive immersion environment at the University of Havana. Outside the classroom, the program includes an active schedule of tours, site visits, and meetings with guest speakers in and around Havana. There are planned weekend excursions and evening social events where students can join Cubans for activities such as movies, theater, dancing, picnics, etc.
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
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May 25 Nashville–Cancún Overnight in Cancún |
May 26 Cancún–Havana |
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| May 27 Havana city tour |
May 28 |
May 29 Cuba today |
May 30 Sustainable development |
May 31 Arts & culture |
June 1 Cuban cinema |
June 2 Day excursion: Las Terrazas |
June 3 |
June 4 Spanish placement test and orientation |
June 5 Spanish language immersion |
June 6 |
June 7 Spanish language immersion |
June 8 Spanish language immersion |
June 9 Overnight excursion: Matanzas |
| June 10 Matanzas |
June 11 Spanish language immersion |
June 12 Spanish language immersion |
June 13 Spanish language immersion |
June 14 Spanish language immersion |
June 15 |
June 16 |
June 17
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Views of the Hotel Paseo in Havana
In Havana we will be staying at the newly renovated Hotel Paseo, located in the residential district of Vedado. This small, clean hotel has a friendly staff and very basic amenities. Participants will find rooms to be sparse but comfortable. Each room has a bathroom. There is a small breakfast room/café and cable TV but no Internet access on site. Hotel changes are possible up to the last minute.
| Payment: | Due date: | Amount due: | Also due: |
| Deposit | Dec 1, 2011 | see materials | * MTSU Cuba application form. Apply now. |
| 1st payment | Jan 20, 2012 | see materials | * Proof of passport (photocopy of data page of passport) |
| 2nd payment | Feb 20, 2012 | see materials | * Single lodging supplement (additional $300), if you want a single room |
| Balance | Mar 20, 2012 | see materials | NOTE: See inclusions and exclusions below. |
Because of the complexities of the trade embargo, U.S. citizens are restricted to using CASH ONLY while in Cuba. Cuban merchants will not accept U.S.-issued credit cards, debit cards, or travelers checks anywhere in the country. There are no ATMs available to Americans, and wire transfers are not possible. There is a lot of misleading information in guidebooks and on the Web on this point, but the fact is...
U.S. CITIZENS MUST USE CASH FOR ALL FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS IN CUBA.
After deposits, partial payments, or balances are paid, funds are applied to purchase services on your behalf and cannot be refunded unless the trip is canceled by the program director due to insufficient enrollment or because of a U.S. government travel advisory pertaining to Cuba. Failure to make a payment or provide requested documentation by the posted deadline may result in your cancelation from the program without a refund.
"The experience was great! I wish more people had the opportunity."
– real student comment
MTSU Cuba 2012 is no longer accepting applicants.
Q: Is it legal to visit Cuba?
A: Yes. The U.S. government forbids visiting Cuba for tourism, but certain forms of academic travel are permitted. The Cuban government has no restriction on visitors from the U.S. [back]
Q: Is Cuba safe?
A: By global standards, Cuba is extraordinarily safe. Visitors should always exercise reasonable caution. [back]
Q: How do we get to Cuba?
A: As a group, we travel from Nashville to Havana by way of Cancún, Mexico. The Nashville–Cancún portion of the trip is on a U.S. airline. The trip from Cancún to Havana is onthe Cuban airline Cubana de Aviación. [back]
Q: What are the accommodations like?
A: See Lodging on this page. [back]
Q: How many students can go?
A: To ensure an optimal faculty-student ratio, the group is limited to 20 students. Priority will be given to students who regularly attend Middle Tennessee State University.
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Q: Do I have to enroll in the classes?
A: Yes.To participate you must 1) be duly admitted as an MTSU student; 2) enroll in the required courses, and 3) pay the full program fee. Admission priority will be given to students who regularly attend MTSU. [back]
Q: Is it a problem if I'm handicapped?
A: Cuba does not have reliable handicapped services such as ramps, elevators, and special facilities for handicapped people. If you have a handicap that might limit your ability to function physically or mentally while in Cuba, you must disclose it on the medical disclosure form at the time you submit your deposit. If your handicap cannot be accommodated, your admission will be declined and your deposit returned and the MTAbroad Office will help you find a more suitable program. [back]
Q: Is it a problem if I'm vegetarian or vegan?
A: With a little extra planning, vegetarians and vegans can find healthy, enjoyable meal options.
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Q: Can I travel around Cuba on my own during or apart from the program?
A: No. For safety reasons, participants may not travel outside of Havana either alone or in groups. Limited travel within Havana after you have demonstrated your ability to get around the city is permitted. The U.S. government license covering the program permits travel during the program itinerary period only. [back]
Q: May I book my own air travel?
A: No. Because of U.S. government regulations regarding travel to Cuba, all portions of your roundtrip air travel will be arranged for you.
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Q: Will my cell phone work in Cuba?
A: The Cuban government maintains cell phone service in the country, but most U.S. phones won't work in Cuba without some complicated tinkering. It's easier to rent a Cuba-ready cell phone by mail in the United States, or after arrival in Cuba. Keep in mind that all telephone communications between Cuba and the United States are via satellite and cost as much as $5 per minute.
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Q: What is the application procedure for this program?
A: All applicants must submit an MTSU study abroad application with their deposit to reserve a spot. Your registration is not complete until all the forms associated with the application have been submitted and are complete. These materials include: student conduct contract, medical history form, insurance confirmation form, liability release form, medical surrogacy form. A clear copy of the data page of your passport isdue no later than January 20, 2012. [back]
Q: Is there Internet access in Cuba?
A: Yes. Our hotel does not have Internet acces, but larger hotels have public Internet rooms with late-model PCs and reasonably fast DSL connections. In most areas of Cuba, Internet access costs $5 per half-hour, prepaid. [back]
Q: Someone I know has been to Cuba and says it's easy to go there. Why does this program have so many restrictions?
A: Anyone can travel to Cuba if they want to badly enough. Pleasure travel to Cuba is not legal and, if travelers are caught by U.S. Customs & Immigration on return to the U.S., they face a $250,000 criminal fine and a $50,000 civil fine and 10 years' imprisonment. MTSU Cuba is 100% legal in both countries and, like everything else that obeys the law, is subject to restrictions. [back]
Q: Can I bring home souvenirs from Cuba?
A: U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba with the correct permissions may return with informational materials only. These include items such as books, magazines, posters, sound recordings, photographs, and newspapers. Importation of anything else is strictly prohibited and will be confiscated and/or fined at U.S. Customs. [back]
Q: Can family or friends accompany me?
A: Anyone can travel with you as long as they are 1) duly admitted as an MTSU student; 2) enroll in the required courses, and 3) pay the full program fee. Our U.S. government license does not cover people who come along on the trip simply as guests. Admission priority will be given to students who regularly attend MTSU. [back]
Q: Can faculty and staff go too?
A: No. MTSU Cuba is for students seeking undergraduate credit only.
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Q: I'm an undergraduate student at another university. May I participate in the program?
A: Absolutely. If you are currently enrolled at another U.S. university, you may participate in MTSU Cuba as a "transient student" provided that you 1) are duly enrolled in the required courses at MTSU; 2) pay the program fee; 3) pay MTSU tuition. In-state and out-of-state students pay in-state tuition for study abroad programs hosted by MTSU. For more information about enrolling as a transient student, please visit this link. Admission priority for MTSU Cuba will be given to students who regularly attend MTSU. [back]
Q: I'm not a student but I would love to go to Cuba. May I go too?
A: You will be considered for the program only if you 1) are duly admitted as an MTSU student; 2) enroll in the required courses, and 3) pay the full program fee. Our U.S. government license does not cover people who come along on the trip simply as guests. Admission priority will be given to students who regularly attend MTSU. [back]
Q: Can graduate students go?
A: If you wish to go for the purpose of taking undergraduate credit, yes (see Academics on this page). Please note that graduate credit is not given in this program.
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Q: Will my health insurance cover me in Cuba?
A: No, but all participants will receive comprehensive health insurance coverage through a Cuban agency called Asistur. The coverage is required by the Cuban government for all foreign visitors to the country. The cost of the coverage is included in the program fee.
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Q: How do I get a passport?
A: You can order a passport online at the National Passport Center. Allow 6 weeks. Please have a valid passport in hand by January 20. [back]
Q: Will my financial aid cover the program?
A: Probably. The program is equivalent to six (6) hours of summer semester credit. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more information. [back]
Q: Are there scholarships to help pay the cost?
A: Absolutely. MTSU offers a limited number of study abroad scholarships and can help hook you up with dozens more. Why not give the Study Abroad Office a call? (615) 898-5179. [back]
Q: What's this about a special program tuition offer?
A: The university has agreed to assist in-state students with tuition expenses toward this trip. For more information, contact Dr. Morris. [back]
Q: Whom should I contact with questions or for more information?
A: For more information about the program, please contact Dr. Ric Morris. You can also find out more about the program and view photos and videos from past trips online at Facebook and YouTube. [back]
