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4 weeks Spanish Language trip
Leeward Community College, Hawaii
A campus of the University of Hawaii
A four-week credit-bearing study trip
June 2004
Organized by EduToursToCuba.com
In collaboration with
Leeward Community College, Hawaii
and the University of Havana
Beginning in early June, the group travels from Honolulu to Havana to study Spanish language with instructors from the University of Havana. Classes take place for four weeks at the University of Havana, in the morning, Monday to Friday. The trip also includes a city tour of Havana and a weekend trip in Trinidad-Playa Giron area as well as other activities.
Housing is provided at a comfortable yet simple three-stars' hotel in Vedado, Havana, a 5 minutes' walk from the university.
It is the third consecutive year that Leeward Community College, Hawaii, is organizing a Spanish study trip in Cuba. The 2003 itinerary and program were basically the same as the 2004 study trip. In 2003 the field trips have been concentrated in a three-day weekend in order to shorten the trip to a total of four weeks. The group visited Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Trinidad and Playa Giron.
A five-week credit-bearing study trip
June 2002
Organized by EduToursToCuba.com
In collaboration with
Leeward Community College, Hawaii
and the University of Havana
From Leeward Community College, University of Hawaii:
"At only 90 miles but worlds away from Florida exists a land known to few Americans. Cuba, with a population of 13 million people and home to a fascinating blend of Afro-Caribbean and European cultures, a turbulent history, and some of the best music you will ever hear, is open to participants in Leeward Community College’s summer study program.
Beginning in late June, you will travel from Honolulu to Havana to study Cuban history and Spanish language with instructors from the University of Havana. While classes will take place for four weeks on the campus of the University of Havana, the whole country will be your classroom. Trips will be taken to sites of historical significance, including the Bay of Pigs, Old Havana, and Santa Cruz; and places of great natural beauty such as Pinar del Rio and Varadero. You will also actively learn about Santer’a, Afro-Cuban dance and music, and all aspects of life in Cuba. You will alos have the opportunity to be in cuba during the Carnaval, an explosion of dance, music and history. This is surely to be the highlight of your time in Cuba.
Housing will be provided at a comfortable yet simple three-star hotel in Vedado, Havana, a 5 minute walk from the university. Breakfast each day will be provided, and lunch and dinner can be found economically at small restaurants around the neighborhood.
While there are US government imposed travel restrictions for individual Americans to Cuba, Leeward Community College is the only institution of higher learning in the state of Hawaii to have been granted the US State Department license for education exchange and travel to Cuba. Cuba itself is an extremely safe country, with the lowest crime rate in the Caribbean, a health care system rivalling ours, and a warm and hospitable people bent on making the traveler feel welcome and at home. In addition, as the LCC program is fully legal, we can count on the assistance of the US interests section in Havana, the equivalent of an embassy in the event of any emergencies.
You will get 3 credits of History 290 (History of Modern Cuba) and 6 credits of Spanish at the 200 level (Spanish 201, 202, or 299). The credits will be awarded through Leeward Community College, and as such, regular financial aid will be applicable towards this program."
Leeward Community College
ITINERARY AND PROGRAM
2002
June 23
Arrival at Toronto airport Terminal 3 at least three and a half hours before departure, at 16h00. Leaving Toronto with Cubana, Flight Number 181 at 19h55, arriving Havana at 01h45, via Varadero.
Reception at airport by Cuban English-speaking Havanatur guide who will accompany the group during the first 10 days. Private transport to hotel. Hotel Vedado check-in.
Breakfast and Lunches at Hotel Vedado.
June 24
09h45h. Breakfast
10h00 - Meet Odalys, representative of the Instituto de Filosofia, in the hotel lobby
Walk to the Institute: Conference on Colonial History
Return to Hotel: Lunch at 14h00.
14h30 Meet Cuban Havanatur guide in hotel lobby and excursion by bus and tour of modern and old Havana with accent on old Havana. Visit to Museo de la Ciudad (colonial history), if time permitting.
June 25
08h00: Breakfast
09h00 Conference on modern history.
Return to hotel for lunch at 12h30.
13h00. Meet Cuban Havantur guide in hotel lobby. Excursion to old Havana, walking tour in detail, visit to Museo de la Ciudad if there was not sufficient time on June 24, tobacco factory, Museum of Fine Arts.
Evening. Walking tour with Cuban Havanatur guide of area around Vedado hotel, night spots, jazz, to familiarize the group with area and things to do on their own.
June 26
08h00: Breakfast
09h00 Conference on health and education systems in Cuba
Return to hotel for lunch at 12h30.
13h00. Meet Cuban Havantur guide in hotel lobby. Excursion to the Art Higher Institute (the main arts university in Havana - ISA) and to the Café Cantante (salsa dance)
June 27
08h00: Breakfast
09h00 Conference on the political system - Free exchange of views
Return to hotel for lunch at 12h30
13h00. Meet Cuban Havantur guide in hotel lobby. Excursion and visit to the Museum of the Revolution (modern history).
19h00 - Return to the hotel
20h00. Visit to Morro/Cabanas fort and the canon ceremony at 21h00 with supper included. Colonial history.
June 28
08h30: Breakfast. LUGGAGE IS KEPT IN HOTEL VEDADO. THIS IS NOT A CHECK-OUT.
09h00 Departure to the Playa Giron area. Museum of the Australia Sugar plant (significance: Bay of Pigs), visit to the Playa Giron Museum in the Bay of Pigs).
Snorkelling and beach in the aftrernoon. Lodging at Playa Larga hotel.
June 29
08h30: Breakfast and swim in the ocean. Transport to Playa Giron Museum in the Bay of Pigs). Transport to Trinidad, declared by UNESCO World heritage Site. Visit to the History Museum. After lunch (not included) transport to Santa Clara. Lodging at Los Caneyes hotel. Supper included.
June 30
08h00: Breakfast
Visit of Santa Clara, including the Museum of the Railroad attack (significance: broke the back of the Batista regime in the 1950s.) Visit to the Monument to Che Guevera.
After lunch (not included) return to Havana.
20h00 - Farewell dinner in a family restaurant for Cuban Havanatur guide, driver and two Instituto representatives who gave the conferences on history. Not included in rate - group to pay for Cubans. The cost is about 6-7 $ US per person for a meal. The cost of beverages and drinks is 1 $ US. (For address of the family restaurant, see menu included, 3 blocks from the Vedado Hotel.
July 1 - 09h00
Beginning of four-week intensive Spanish language course at University of Havana.
09h00.
We advise to bring a Spanish/English dictionary with you as well as 2 passport size photos for the student ID card. A book for Spanish verbs is also a useful tool.
Courses are from 9 am to 12:20 p.m. every day from Monday to Friday. Breakfast and lunch routines at the hotel are the same.
For optional visit to Pinar del Rio with sleep-over, see Havanatur guide. Direct arrangements for reservations and payment must be made in Havana.
Last Spanish language course is on July 25 highlighted by the awarding of the diplomas
July 26 (free) is the National Cuban Holiday. Anniversary of the attacks on Moncada, July 26 1953. There will be a major rally in one city in Cuba and will be televised. If it is in Havana, think about going, it will be an interesting experience. Street activity in the evenings of the 25th and the 26th.
July 27
FreeJuly 28
Transfer to airport, departure from hotel at 14h00. Departure at 18h55, Cubana flight Number 180, for Toronto, arrival Toronto at 18h55.
"Thank you for the unforgettable experience of a lifetime [a five-week credit-bearing study trip and language course: History of Modern Cuba and Spanish language]. The guides and instructors were some of the kindest and most professional that I have ever encountered. Thank you EduToursToCuba.com." |
Some photos of the 2002 study trip: field trip, visits, Hotel Vedado/Flamingo and lunch in Old Havana
EduToursToCuba.com can organize for any University a similar or the same study trip as the one we do for the University of Hawaii. We can also offer other hotels as accommodations. The price of the study trip varies as to the length of stay, hotel, field trips, conferences and the city from which the university group will be flying. |
For a similar education tour and more information:
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