Higher Education Orientation Trip June 2013

Higher Education Orientation Trip to Cuba

Cuba/US People to People Partnership
of the
Fund for Reconciliation and Development

Led by John McAuliff, Executive Director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development
June 14-24, 2013

June 13  Miami Airport Hotel

Optional dinner in Miami with Cuban American friends. (Cost of airport hotel and dinner are not included)

June 14  Santiago Hotel Casagranda LD

Early morning check in for an 8 a.m. charter flight to Santiago de Cuba. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Have lunch and then meet with administrators at the Universidad de Oriente. Guests from the university will join us for dinner.

June 15  Santiago Hotel Casagranda BLD

Take a city tour of Santiago and learn about its role in the Cuban Revolution and its dynamic cultural heritage.

June 16  Parque Colon Hotel Playa Pesquero BLD

Explore Parque Natural Cristobal Colon where Columbus landed on October 28, 1492. Visit a Taino village restoration. Later this afternoon, learn about the regions ecological characteristics at the Caverna Tanque Azul, with an opportunity to swim (if you snorkel, bring gear).

June 17  Holguín Hotel Pernik or Villa El Bosque BLD

Depart for Holguín. Upon arrival, visit the city. After lunch, meet with administrators and professors at Universidad de Holguín. Guests will join us for dinner at Paladar La Ternuda.

June 18  Camagey Hotel Colon or Grand Hotel BLD

Depart for Camagüey. Visit the city this afternoon.

June 19  Sancti Spíritus Hotel E Plaza or E del Rijo BLD

This morning, meet administrators at the Universidad de Camagüey. Depart for Sancti Spíritus. Have lunch and meet with representatives from the Nunez Jimenez Foundation (FNJ). See their museum and visit the permaculture organic farm training and research project where students can volunteer. Dine with guests from FNJ and the university.

June 20  Sancti Spíritus-Havana Habana Libre BLD

Meet administrators and professors at the Centro Universitario de Sancti Spíritus (Marti Peres). Depart for Havana. Stop for informal dinner at Playas del Este. If time permits, observe cannon firing ceremony.

June 21  Havana Habana Libre BD

Attend briefings with the Ministry of Higher Education and with study abroad professionals at the University of Havana. This afternoon, visit the International School of the Arts with Paradiso, the tour company of the Ministry of Culture.* Enjoy an evening (with guests) at a performance of Opera de la Calle at its dinner theater El Cabildo.

June 22  Havana Habana Libre BLD

Gather with Dr. Rafael Hernandez to discuss social and economic renovation in Cuba and in-depth programs available for students visiting Havana. Dr. Hernandez is the Director of Temas magazine and 2011 visiting professor at Harvard and Columbia Universities. Have lunch with guests at Yoruba Cultural Association and see a sanitaria religious exhibition. Hear talented musicians preserve and interpret Cuba’s Celtic heritage during a performance by Banda de Gaitas at Teatro Retazos. Have dinner at paladar Las Estaciones or Los Nardos.

June 23  Havana Habana Libre BD

This morning, Dr. Carlos Alzugaray, a former diplomat and 2011 visiting professor at Queens College CUNY, will discuss with us US Cuba relations. Lunch on own followed by an afternoon of self-directed time to follow up on meetings, special interest appointments, or museum visits. Gather for a final dinner.

June 24 Miami B

Transfer to the airport in time for a 10 a.m. charter flight to Miami.

* On request, an effort will be made to arrange alternative appointments at other specialized universities in the Havana area, e.g. Technology (CUJAE), Medicine, Agriculture, Peadagogy, (Full list below.) Personal payment of taxi fares may be necessary.

Please note:  Itinerary above and prices below were prepared for October 2012 and are provided for illustration only.  Itinerary times, sequence, content and costs are subject to change

Land and Charter Air Costs:

Per person in double occupancy: $3,920.00

Single occupancy supplement: $275.00

Cost includes: local Cuban guide, all items as indicated in the itinerary such as meals, accommodations, speakers, entrance fees, and group transportation; tourist entry card, tips for guide and driver. Each group lunch/dinner has two beverages, including water, juice, soda, or beer.

Cost does not include: individual tips, tourist card for entry into Cuba, bottled water, departure tax of approximately $27 USD (25 CUC’s), and other items of a personal nature.

Price is based on a minimum of 10 participants. If fewer than ten enroll, a surcharge will apply. A minimum of 8 travelers is needed in order to operate this program.

Charter Air Schedule:

June 14 Miami-Santiago 8:00 AM

June 24 Havana-Miami 10:00 AM

.

Land and Charter air package does not include connecting flights from home gateway or hotel at the gateway.

Due to the time of departure from Miami, this trip requires an overnight at an airport hotel on the outbound portion of the trip. John McAuliff will stay at the Miami International Airport Hotel, located within the terminal building. Rooms at this hotel can be reserved for $170 per night including tax.

Important Notes & Requirements:

This program will be carried out under FRD's people to people license so is open to anyone with professional interest, including 

Before purchasing any connecting air tickets that are non-refundable, wait until you are contacted to confirm we have a guaranteed minimum number of participants. The trip is priced on 10 participants and a minimum of 8 participants will be required for the trip and payments will be refunded if the trip cannot take place.

Optional travel/trip cancellation Insurance is strongly recommended

See www.travelinsured.com or call Holbrook at 352-377-7111

Universities in Havana under Ministry of Higher Education

Universidad de Habana

Universidad de Ciencias Informaticas

Polytechnic Institute "Jose A. Echeverria" (CUJAE)

Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agricolas (INCA)

Universidad Agraria de la Habana

Instituto Superior de Diseno

Other Universities and Organizations in Havana

Universidad de Ciencias Pedagogicas Enrique Jose Varona

Universidad de las Artes (ISA)

La Escuela de la Medicina Veterinaria

Universidad de Ciencias de la Cultura Fisica y el Deporte "Manuel Fajardo"

Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de la Habana

Escuela Latinamericana de Medicina

Centro de Ingenieria Genetica y Biotecnologia

Centro Nacional de Rehabilitacion "Julio Diaz"

Acuario Nacional Cuba

For further information, or to obtain a registration form, contact John McAuliff, director@ffrd.org

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US schools participating in the June 2012 program were: 

* Central Washington University

* Marquette University

* Penn State University

* St. Olaf College

* University of Colorado-Boulder

* University of New Mexico

* University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

* Western Illinois University

* Wingate University.

They met with:

* University of Havana

* Higher Institute of Technology (CUJAE)

* University of Agriculture of Havana/INCA (Mayabeque)

* University of Matanzas

* University of Las Villas (Santa Clara)

* University of Sancti Spiritus

* University of Cienfuegos

plus

* Christian Center for Reflection and Dialog (Cardenas)

* Fundacion Nunez Jimenez for Nature and Humanity (Sancti Spiritus)

Comment by a June participant:

"I want to compliment both John and Michelle for organizing and running a great

program.  I learned a great deal and had a very good time doing it.  The

Cubans I met were all impressive folks and would all make great colleagues as

leaders of potential partner institutions.  I have absolutely no reservations

about encouraging study abroad and eventual exchange relations with any of

the universities I visited.  I think that this would be truly a mutually beneficial

relationship, if we can get things off the ground.  I'm already encouraging

strategic faculty to consider going on your Fall program."

Michael A. Launius, Ph.D.

Assistant Vice President

for International Studies & Programs

Central Washington University