Study abroad progam becomes reality

Last month, the Cuban Ministry of Education approved, for the second time, a study abroad program for University of Washington, Tacoma students to the city of Cienfuegos, one of Tacoma's ten sister cities. During the spring breaks of 2003 and 2004, UWT was able to offer students condensed one week-long study abroad excursions to Cuba, but the United States recently enacted tighter restrictions on international education programs extending to Cuba.

New U.S. regulations mandate that students receiving credit for a study abroad program in Cuba must study for a minimum of 10 weeks in the country.

"The number of universities going to Cuba has dropped dramatically as a result of the rules of the U.S. government," said Brian Coffey, the university's director of International Programs.

Faculty members and administrators hoping to maintain study abroad opportunities in Cuba were sent to the drawing board to work out the logistics of a 10-week program. In January, 18 representatives from university traveled to Cienfuegos to take part in a "University and Community" conference to discuss the relationship between the two cities and what must be done to continue to allow students the opportunity to study in Cuba.

After months of anticipation, the university finally received word in April that a 10-week program at the University of Cienfuegos would be permitted. The approval of the Cuban Ministry of Education was the final strand to the complicated web of red tape endured by both Cuban and American professors. UWT is only the third university in the U.S. to allow students the opportunity to study in Cuba.

"That's sort of exciting that we're one of three, but also disappointing that there are only three universities doing this," said Jack Nelson, vice chancellor for academic affairs. Nelson was the university's senior representative on the January trip to Cuba.

The university was granted an almost impossible to obtain license by the U.S. Department of Treasury that allows for a study abroad program in Cuba.

"It is very unusual for a university to have this license and fortunately we do," said Cynthia Duncan, professor of Hispanic Studies. Duncan played an integral role in the process, establishing relationships between key Cuban officials in Cienfuegos and UWT. Duncan led the two previous study abroad programs to Cuba and is a member of the Tacoma-Cienfuegos Sister City Committee. Duncan was also awarded the title "Distinguished Daughter of Cienfuegos" in January by the mayor of Cienfugos for her dedication to promoting solidarity and friendship between the two countries.

Much care was put into ensuring the university stayed within the tight legal boundaries of the Department of Treasury's license.

"We were very scrupulous. We want to retain our license and we work very hard to make sure we abide by all of its provisions," said Nelson. "The U.S. government doesn't let U.S. citizens go to Cuba to engage in any sort of tourism," explained Duncan. "We can only go to Cuba if we are engaged in a full time teaching, learning, academic program."

Winter quarter 2006 is the first time the 15-credit course, Society and Culture in Cuba, will be offered. The 10-week program is to consist of an intense full time curriculum which will include two excursions outside of Cienfuegos and 10 half-day trips around the city of Cienfuegos. The two overnight excursions will be to Havana and Trinidad.

Duncan and psychology instructor, Kima Cargill will lead the UWT students to Cienfuegos in January. Students studies will be divided into three primary focuses: language training; Cuban history and culture; and small research seminars. Language training will be based on students' individual fluency and Cuban history and culture classes will be offered in both Spanish and English.

While Tacoma students are in the classroom listening to Cuban instructors, Duncan and Cargill will be in the classroom lecturing to Cuban students.

"It's a true exchange in every sense of the word," said Duncan. To prepare for their immersion in the Cuban culture, UWT is offering a Saturday course this fall: TIBCIN 390: Preparation for Study Abroad. Priority deadline for students interested in traveling to Cuba next January is June 1. Applications and more information can be found on the UWT International Programs website.