Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unforgettable and life altering Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/16/2017 to 05/16/2017 with

SUNY Oswego: Havana - Universidad de La Habana

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
What did I not learn? It was 1000% worthwhile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I like how independent I was allowed to be with SUNY's program. I was much more independent than other American students in Cuba.

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Less than $100 most weeks. Sometimes more if I was travelling outside of Habana
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Learn to eat like a local.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Two upper-level 300 courses
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Force yourself to use it. Be uncomfortable until you get comfortable.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Independence
  • Direct enrollment
  • Host family
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
  • Nothing
  • Attracting more students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There is no way to prepare yourself for spending a semester in Cuba, so a lot I wish I knew, but nothing I could tell someone going to Cuba. Everyone needs to go and have their own impression.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Sociology of Education
Course Department: Philosophy and History
Instructor: n/a
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: It was challenging. It was only a 2 hour course, so it was my least time consuming. Professor was very knowledgeable
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Sociology of Health
Course Department: Philosphy and History
Instructor: Reina Flautas
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Not too challenging. 4th year course. By far one of the most interesting courses I'll ever take. Sociology of Health taught from a Cuban perspective. Learned a lot about Cuban Public Health and Medicine
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Political Economy II
Course Department: Philosphy and History
Instructor: Blanca Munster Infante
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: It was incredible. Constant debates about the merits and downfalls of Capitalism and Socialism. Great comparison course. Learned so much.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

History of America
Course Department: Philosophy and History
Instructor: Rene Villaboy
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Easiest course I took while in Cuba. I still learned a lot. Most likely easy because it was a 2nd year course.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Marxist-Leninist Theory
Course Department: Philosophy and History
Instructor: n/a
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Pretty boring. Professor was almost never there. It was mostly taught by an adjunct professor. Class was cancelled very often.
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Cuban Culture and Society
Course Department: SUNY Oswego
Instructor: various
Instruction Language: Spanish
Comments: Not challenging, but reasonable. It was my course that was taught to be outside of the University of Habana, so that I could have a space to learn about aspects of society not taught in government institutions.
Credit Transfer Issues: No