Semester in Cuba Program

  Cuba

Havana

Term: Spring 
Dates: Jan 9, 2010 - May 8, 2010

Description: A semester-long program in which students receive 17 credits.

Students pay regular tuition and fees to Presbyterian College, utilizing packages of financial aid that are regularly available to them. All educational and living expenses are provided by the program. Housing is provided through the University of Havana.

The program includes educational travel excursions to various cities and provinces in all the regions of the island.

The academic courses (except for the study of Spanish) will be in English. Fluency in Spanish is not required. However, previous study of Spanish in a general education program is preferred.

An intensive study of Spanish for one month at the beginning of the program will facilitate that students will be able to speak to some degree with Cubans in informal situations.

Independent study courses will enable students to take courses in their majors.

A special program in Marine Studies involving two courses offered by the Center for Marine Research of the University of Havana.

A special program for Spanish majors involving 3 advanced literature courses.

Highlights: Students in the program will enroll in the following courses.

(1) The History, Politics, and Society of Cuba (3 credits in history, political science, or sociology) will be taught in English by the PC Resident Director and a Cuban professor of UH.

(2) Third World Underdevelopment and Politics (3 credits in sociology or political science) will be taught in English by the PC Resident Director and a Cuban professor of UH.

(3) U.S.-Cuban Relations: Historical Perspective (3 credits in history) will be taught in English by a Cuban professor of the Center for U.S. and Hemispheric Studies of the University of Havana. (Students can substitute an independent study, Spanish, or Marine Studies course).

The above three courses each will include 45 hours of educational travel experiences. This 135-hour experiential component of the program will involve visits to relevant museums, research and educational centers, health institutions, and civic and popular organizations in the city of Havana and other cities of Cuba. The educational trips to other cities include 3 weekend excursions and a week-long excursion.

(4) Spanish language (5 credits) will be taught by Spanish professors of the Faculty of Foreign Languages of the University of Havana. Students will be placed by the University of Havana according to their level of ability. The course will meet every weekday for three hours each day for one month near the beginning of the program. (Spanish majors will enroll in literature courses).

(5) Independent study courses (3 credits) will be taught in English by professors of the University of Havana (or a course in Spanish literature or Marine Studies).

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: USD 18,612

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American Participants.

Participants Travel to Cuba Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10

Application Process Involves:

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Essay
• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application

Year Founded: 1880