This amazing study tour will introduce the students to the Cuban nation, education, art, and culture through visits of famous museums, historical sites, and attractions in different parts of the country. The students will learn from expert presentations and tours about the Cuban society, art, architecture, agriculture, business, traditions, music, cuisine and more.

 

Who Should Apply?

• STLCC students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in the Cuban art, culture, history, and society
• All students from Missouri community colleges and universities as well as independent travelers with an interest in educational travel and international studies

Application

To sign up for the program complete the STLCC study abroad online application or contact Christopher Sulincevski at 314-644-9671 / csulincevski@stlcc.edu

Space is limited to 30 participants. Apply Today!

Academics

• This is a non-credit study tour program
• Two mandatory pre-departure orientation meetings at St. Louis Community College will be scheduled

Program Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have a passport valid for at least three months beyond the return date
• Entry visas will be obtained for the group through our travel vendor
• Any specific country entry requirements will have to be met
• Reading proficiency required
• The program requires the ability to walk long distances both on uneven pavement and gravel paths

Expenses

The rough estimate for program fee is $3950* per person based on double occupancy with a minimum of 12 participants.

The program cost includes:

• Roundtrip airfare from St. Louis to Havana
• Airport transfers
• Private coach and tour guide
• Lodging in hotels
• Some meals
• Daily cultural activities and tours
• Tuition
• Limited emergency health insurance.

The program cost does NOT include:

• Valid passport
• Visa application fees
• Some meals and snacks
• Independent touring and personal expenses
• Optional health and travel cancellation protection insurance (strongly recommended)

* The final price will vary based on exchange rate, number of participants, taxes, and final quotes and fees imposed by college vendors.

Payment Schedule

You can follow this payment schedule or pay quicker with larger payments as long as the full amount is paid by February 15, 2023.

• Immediate deposit to secure your spot ……$200
• By Nov. 15, 2022……………$1000
• By Dec. 15, 2022……………$1000
• By Jan. 15, 2023……………$1000
• By Feb. 15, 2023……………$750

Cancellation Policy

Full refund: Cancel before Jan. 15, 2023.

Penalties and fees will apply for canceling after Jan. 15, 2022.

No refunds for cancellation after February 15, 2023.

STLCC strongly recommends that in addition to the included program insurance you consider purchasing additional health and travel insurance to cover any trip cancellations and interruptions.

Tentative Itinerary

Tentative travel dates: May 22-30, 2023

Day 1: May 23, 2023: Depart USA/Arrive Cuba

Arrive in Jose Marti International Airport. Today is set aside as an arrival day. We ask that the group arrive by 1 pm and have lunch on the plane.

3 p.m.: Enjoy a guided Walking City Tour of Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Participants will have time to engage with Cubans at their art studios, galleries and markets where participants will meet with Cuban artists and find out first hand how artist negotiate between the tourist market, a socialist economy and new opportunities for individual entrepreneurship. Visit the four major historical squares of Cuba. Historian’s massive efforts to restore Old Havana buildings, attract tourism and new investment, and improve social services for local residents. See buildings and homes in different stages of reconstruction, meet with neighborhood residents. Highlights include the Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja, and Plaza de la Cathedral. We will also visit the Taller Graffica artist workshop off of Cathedral Square (we will break up into 2 groups).

5:30 p.m.: Transfer to your hotel (Vedado 500 or similar) and time for rest.

7:30 p.m.: Welcome Dinner at Hemingway’s Bodeguito del Medio in Old Havana.

Day 2: May 24, 2023: Orientation to Havana

7 a.m.: Breakfast

8 a.m.: Orientation Meeting.

9 a.m.: Invited Speaker to hotel to give a historical overview of the development of Havana. Here you will understand the history and the current political economy of Cuba.

11 a.m.: Exchange with the community arts project Murraleando (or another) This Community Art Project in Havana, inspired originally by local neighborhood artists who taught art “in the streets.” Outdoor murals and sculptures, depicting fanciful celebrations of Cuban life, were a natural outgrowth of these art classes. In a country where nothing is disposable and everything is useful, broken typewriters, old telephones, tire rims, wrought-iron chair parts - all were fair game to weld and paint and turn into sculpture. The original efforts were made in conjunction with cleaning up trash dumps that had collected throughout the neighborhood. Found art objects, parks and murals now replace piles of trash and serve as gathering places for residents and visitors. Get ready to dance.

1 p.m.: Lunch at Jardin de los Milagros with an intimate exchange with Gloria Rolando, AfroCuban film maker to discuss national identity, ethnicity and the Afro Cuban roots in Cuban Culture. We will see her short Dialogues with my grandmother. She can also share with you about Santeria in Cuba today.

3:30 p.m.: Our city tour of modern Havana. This tour will take you along the Malecón, the beautiful seaside boulevard of Havana. Its seafront wall is important for social, inspiring, and a romantic spot for all Habanero’s. Your ride along the streets will also bring you to The Revolution Square (Plaza de la Revolución) were we will have a group photo.

4:30 p.m.: Exchange with local mass organization FMC- Federation of Cuban Women to discuss gender equity in Cuba

6 p.m.: Return to the hotel.

7:30 p.m.: Dinner is free to explore local venues.

9:45 p.m.: Optional Cultural Activity to enjoy live Latin Jazz at La Zora y el Cuervo.

Day 3: May 25, 2023: Education in Cuba

8 a.m.: Breakfast

9 a.m.: Basics of Salsa Dance Class!

11 a.m.: Visit to the Literacy Museum to learn about the incredible model that Cuba has inspired around the world. Exchange with Luisa Campo.

1 p.m.: Lunch at El Aljibe.

2:30 p.m.: Learn about Cuban health care as you visit ELAM, the Latin American Medical School. Here we learn about health education and also about how health care is delivered in Cuba. Enjoy a guided walk through the University of Havana. Evening is free to enjoy dinner at a local paladar.

8 p.m.: Optional evening speaker to come to hotel and share for an hour followed by Q and A. Topic of your choice. Proposed speaker Roberto Perez from FANJ (fanj.org) to discuss Sustainability in Cuba Today, and how Cuba will face Climate Change.

Day 4: May 26, 2023: Cienfuegos/Trinidad

8 a.m.: Check out of hotel after breakfast.

10:30 a.m.: Following our morning activity, we’ll continue our journey east to the beautiful town of Cienfuegos. This winsome, seafront city has such an ethereal allure that it’s known as the “Pearl of the South.” This is a 3 hour drive today.

1:30 p.m.: We arrive for lunch and then we set out to walk part of the city with its charming waterfront and colonnaded streets. After a brief city tour we will visit and exchange with the Cienfuegos Choral Group for a special rehearsal and briefing with Honey Morales at the Tomas Teddy Theatre.

5 p.m.: We continue on to Trinidad, a World Heritage Site located in Cuba´s south central region. The group will learn about the history of this town and how the local architecture reflected the prosperity of sugar, tobacco and fruit trading, as well as about the 19th-century European influence.

6:15 p.m.: Check into our Casas particulares in Trinidad. Dinner and Evening are yours to explore! The group will walk over to the Casa de la Trova where wonderful traditional live music is played (optional).

Day 5: May 27, 2023: Trinidad

9 a.m.: We start this morning with a guided city tour of this popular colonial town. Enjoy a brief walking city tour of Trinidad, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to UNESCO “it was named in honor of the Holy Trinity, the city was a bridgehead for the conquest of the American continent. We will receive a panorama of Architecture and Restoration in Provincial Cuban-architecture, urban planning, colonial and revolutionary history as we visit various major sites throughout Trinidad. We have time to engage with Cubans at their art studios, galleries and a local cigar factory where participants will meet and exchange with Cuban artists and find out first hand how artist negotiate between the tourist market, a socialist economy.

After lunch, we are off to Topes de Collantes high in the Escambray Mountains. At over 1000 feet above sea level, this reserve is a hikers paradise, offering various trails to explore and gorgeous viewpoints. You may be lucky enough to see endemic birds and animals, such as the trogon, on the trail. Enjoy a hike and a swim! (Or to Playa Ancon you choose!)Tonight, dine on your own at the paladar of your choice. As night settles in, if you have the energy, you can explore the music house which has live music along the steps of the main plaza.

DAY 6: May 28, 2023: Santa Clara

8 a.m.: Breakfast

9 a.m.: Check out of our hotel and on the way back to Sancti Spiritus we first pass by the Manaca Iznaga 16km East of Trinidad in the Valle de los Ingenios. A 144 foot tower was built to watch over the slaves as they worked, and it has a sugar cane press that the slaves used to operate. The village around the mansion is inhabited by direct descendants of the slaves. We arrive in Santa Clara, a key city in the Cuban Revolution. Upon entering Santa Clara, we will see the iconic statue and memorial of Ernesto Ché

Guevara, built to commemorate his death and that of the revolutionaries who died along with him in Bolivia.

12:30 p.m.: Lunch in town.

2 p.m.: Then we will visit with a local community youth project, Hermanos Saiz or another for an hour and a half before our 3 hour drive back to Havana.

6:30 p.m.: Check back in to the hotel and enjoy free time to have dinner and rest.

Optional Evening exchange with a local CDR.

DAY 7: May 29, 2023: Cojimar

8 a.m.: Breakfast

9 a.m.: Visit the new Fidel Castro Center .

11 a.m.: Leave for the town of Cojimar.

11:30 a.m.: Learn about the power of community arts as we exchange with Color Cojimar. This collective started working to organize artists to paint and beautify their area during Covid.

1 p.m.: Lunch in Cojimar

2:30 p.m.: Visit to Finca Vigia, the Ernest Hemingway Museum and learn about this important North American writer and the time he lived in Cuba. Then we will visit the fishing town of Cojimar, located east of Havana. Visit the home of his dear friend the late Gregorio Fuentes who accompanied Hemingway in all his adventures through the waters of the Gulf. Visit La Terraza de Cojímar and appreciate all the pictures of Hemingway in Cojímar during the fifties.

4:30 p.m.: Stop at Regla upon return to visit the Church of la Virgen de Regla.

6 p.m.: Return to hotel

7 p.m.: Farewell dinner and recommend an optional cultural visit to FAC (the Fabrica de Arte Cubano)

Day 8: May 30, 2023: Havana/Departure

After breakfast this morning we check out of the hotel and transfer to the Havana Airport for our return flight home.

Faculty Leader

Joseph Chesla, professor of art, has taught design, and beginning and advanced sculpture at STLCC since 2002. He has traveled to many countries and has great interest, respect, and admiration for different cultures. Having lived in Japan for three years, taught in Poland, China, and India, and been awarded art residencies in Ireland, France, with further excursions to Croatia, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Greece, Joseph has an understanding, confidence and comfort while traveling in diverse places and confronted with challenging situations. Joseph holds BS and MFA degrees in Art and has worked as a professional artist and museum preparator for over 30 years. His knowledge in the art field, teaching experience, and leadership in the art department over the past 20 years makes Joseph and excellent faculty leader for this exciting Cuba study tour.

Disclaimer

St. Louis Community College has made every reasonable effort to determine that the information stated in this brochure is accurate. Courses offered and other matters contained herein are subject to change without notice by the administration and/or Board of Trustees of the college for reasons related to enrollment, finances, scheduling, costs, or for any other reason. The college further reserves the right to add, amend or repeal any of the rules, regulations, policies, or procedures applicable to the program offered herein. Travel, housing, meals, and other logistical arrangements are provided by an independent contractor not affiliated with the college and the college assumes no responsibility therefore. Participants will be required to sign a statement releasing the college from any liability in connection with the program offered herein or the services provided by the independent contractor. Insurance coverage is recommended. The college is not responsible for losses resulting from lack of any insurance coverage.

Non-Discrimination Statement

St. Louis Community College is committed to nondiscrimination and equal opportunities in its admissions, educational programs, activities and employment regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran and shall take action necessary to ensure nondiscrimination.

For information or concerns relating to discrimination matters, contact the Director of Student Conduct and Title IX coordinator at 314-539-5345.

Contact Information