March 26, 2013
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I need some advice
I have the opportunity to travel to Cuba for 3 graduate credits. The trip is only a week long, and I would be learning about Cuban culture, sightseeing and visiting hospitals, orphanages and schools. I have never had an urge to travel to Cuba, but I think it might be a good opportunity for me. I would get to visit a country that Americans really haven’t seen much of, I would meet a lot of new people, and grow as a person. Plus getting three credits in one week is pretty awesome.
I am skeptical about a lot of things though. I’ve been ensured that the trip is safe, but I still worry. I can afford the trip, but its a lot more expensive than I anticipated.
What would you guys do?
Comments (21)
Wouldn’t your flight have to go by way of Mexico? I don’t think the US allows direct flights. And I think the most dangerous part of Cuba is Guantanamo Bay where our military base is. I’ve heard the Cuban people as very nice.
i say doit….I have family in cuba…and i would love to go and see them..u have the opportunity to see a culture that is not known to most americans…traveling ALWAYS provides a new perspective on life…I’ve traveled alot..and I recommend everyone to do it..especially before u have a family…
YES, YES and HELL YES. Also, bring a digital camera and see if the rumors are true… Cuba is said to be the GOLDMINE of American Classic cars… before the communist revolution, many American classics were imported there.
Many car fanatics… such as myself… only hear these through rumors…
uhm…
that was very tangent but for THREE graduate credits + it only being one week, I say FUCK YEAH!
There’s always going to be a prevailing sense of worry. But the better question is why not? I mean you have more to gain in terms of perspective, world view, credits, sight seeing, etc. I think you should because it’ll be something you can possibly gain from.
Would you pay that much for a one-week vacation on another Spanish-speaking Caribbean island, say Puerto Rico? Add the cost of a week in PR to the cost of a 3-credit course, and does the Cuba jaunt still cost more? Accommodations may be better on PR? Also, see what Obama & Co. say about travel to Cuba at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1097.html
Get all the facts beofre deciding. Pros include fast credits and new experiences and just travel in general, but do the research about the cons as well.
You didn’t tell me you’d get 3 credits! I say go!
How much is tuition? I say if you have the money, you should go. I wanted to go to Europe, but never have had the money. I never went with school, mostly because of the price of the plane ticket, not the tuition. But yeah, one summer in grad school I did 3 one week classes in the summer, thats nine hours, a whole semester and all I did was work for three weeks. Cant beat that! :.)
do it u puta
I would weigh the positives and negatives. Is it an established program? Where would you stay? All those logistical issues need to be sorted out. What sort of emergency planning does the program have? As you can tell, I’m looking at it from a safety standpoint.
People go to Cuba on holiday from here (Canada) all the time. It’s supposed to be a safe place, and beautiful. I hope to go one day. We don’t have the embargo or whatever.
Yes! And be sure to tell us all about it. I am NO fan of the Castro brothers (horrible dictators)! Long before my time, Cuba was considered the IN spot for those living and visiting certain parts of Florida. But I was terrified as a child during the Cuban missle crisis (hides eyes and ducks under the desk); I had nightmares thinking the Cubans/Soviets were going to attack!
I have read it is a nation of so many major contrasts. It soars with natural beauty (not having any major manufacturing and all the pollution) and they have been building up the major cities in hopes to lore government officials, students, sports and entertainment stars as legal American tourists.
If you do go, be safe!
Go for it! It sounds like you are going with a planned and thought out program so that is no worry and should take care of any diplomatic issues (only the US has issues with Cuba, not really the other way around). Cuba is quite a safe country as has been said, and a rather gorgeous place. That is a once in a lifetime opportunity, most people will never get that chance. Even if it does cost a bit more, it isn’t about doing a bargain island trip it is about doing research and gaining an irreplaceable life experience. so if you can do it then do it.
I would definitely go as it’s a once in a lifetime kind of trip, and you will be protected.
You’ll learn and see much on your trip and something that you will carry with all through your life.
Do it. I went to Dominican Republic last year and it was good to see another country culture. You will not realize how much you got till you see what other have. And when I went over there, they were happy to get food and money and stuff but in the end, they really just wanted to know they were love. I went to an orphanage of girls and played with them two days. One hour each. They were so happy to see me and my team and we had a blast. We cried when we left them. It was an amazing trip. Take your trip to Cuba and see the other parts of the world.
Any time you have the opportunity to travel, you should take it. Particularly if you’re going to get credit for doing it! If it were a trip to Afghanistan, I might hesitate, but you should be fine. One of my old roommates recently traveled to Cuba and she was totally fine. Don’t let fear rule your life!
I think it would depend how much it costs/ what is included. I almost always say someone should travel when given the opportunity.
I currently live in Japan for an internship and I never had a desire to even visit Japan. I say go. It looks really good on your resume, you will meet some very cool people and it is an opportunity of a lifetime.
@Guest (danielle balbi) – Is there a reason for the expletive?
I would go just to be able to say I’ve been there. It’s ver rare for an American citizen to be allowed to go.
This seems like a great opportunity. I’d say do it.
Just do it. You’ve never died in your life, so it’s not likely it’ll happen in Cuba.
You may never get the opportunity to do this again, and it’ll be an awesome story to tell.