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Students participating in the Cuba program will connect with Cubans directly to learn first hand about the Cuban experience. Students will begin by spending one week in the historic and vibrant capital city of Havana. Then, students will spend a week visiting other rural and urban centers, including the small agricultural town of Viñales, the historic site of the Bay of Pigs, and the colonial city of Trinidad (a UNESCO World Heritage site). Throughout the trip, students in the program will visit community organizations, nonprofits and government agencies for hands on community based learning. Cuban professors from the University of Havana and representatives from Cuban governmental and nongovernmental organizations will provide insights that foster a deep understanding of the Cuban cultural and historical context. Prominent themes covered throughout the two-week program will include: Cuban history, Cuban-US relations, political economy, governance, arts and culture, education, public health, community development, and political systems.
Graduate and undergraduate students may apply. Students will stay in housing provided by the program and most meals will be included as part of program costs. Students will select a focus of interest related to Cuba to develop before and during the study abroad trip to share with classmates. Associate Professor Kevin Kecskes from the Public Administration Department will lead the trip to Cuba. Dr. Kecskes brings over 35 years of experience working in Latin America and the Caribbean to the program, having worked in civic engagement and community development throughout the region.
Students that participate in the faculty-led academic program in Cuba are anticipated to achieve increased knowledge related to Cuba of global issues, processes, trends and systems. Through spending time with and learning from Cubans, students will be able to demonstrate a greater understanding of their own culture comparatively in the global context. Furthermore, students will begin to understand how their careers and fields of interest manifest differently in Cuba. Students will gain internationalization skills for understanding diverse cultural perspectives and frames of reference that facilitate thinking critically in order to solve complex problems. Students with background in Spanish will have the opportunity to practice language skills in Cuba in an immersion setting (Spanish language proficiency is not required). Having the opportunity to practice Spanish will allow students to enhance their learning in other academic areas, increase cultural understanding, and develop their language skills and cultural knowledge. During the trip, students will be challenged to interpret issues and situations from more than one cultural perspective, which will translate into increased cultural awareness when they return to Portland.
Don't miss out on this special opportunity to explore Cuba! If you have any questions, contact Professor Kecskes at kecskesk@pdx.edu
Check out this video from the 2016 trip (directed by Cuba program alumnus Emmanuel Macías)!
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Education Abroad Advisor |
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Get Started |
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Faculty Leader |
Dr. Kevin Kecskes, Public Administration |
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Travel Dates |
12/9/2017 - 12/22/2017 |
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Areas of Study |
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Required Pre-Departure Meetings |
Yes |
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Credits |
3 Credits for Graduate Students |
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Language of Instruction |
English |
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Host Country Language |
Spanish |
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Housing |
Other (Provided by Program Provider) |
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Class Standing Eligibility |
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Minimum GPA Requirements |
2.75 - Undergraduates |
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Language Requirement |
No previous language study required |
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Previous Required Coursework |
To be considered for the program, students must either be graduate students or upper-class undergraduate students (junior or senior status). Some Spanish-language background is preferred but not required. |
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Interview |
Yes |
| Tuition and Fees | Additional Estimated Fees | Total Estimated Costs |
| $5,620 | $1,315 | $6,935 |
PSU Education Abroad Scholarship Application