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UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 2016
UWI OUTREACH
UWI Discovers Cuba
With our plane tickets in hand
and sleep still clenching our
bodies, all twelve staffers ofThe UWI St. Augustine boarded
an early morning flight to Havana, Cuba at the crack of the
new year, 2 January 2016. Our study tour would take us to
La Habana, Matanzas, and Pinar Del Rio provinces.
The group met twice prior to our departure in
preparation for the trip and although we were discussing
logistics, visas and travel insurance, we couldn’t contain
our excitement. With the recent change in diplomatic
relations between the USA and Cuba, thousands of tourists
are flocking to Cuban shores to get a taste of “untouched”
Havana and environs before a fundamental shift takes place.
So we considered ourselves lucky that we too were able to
enjoy Cuba sans American franchises.
We arrived a day after Liberation day, a public holiday
in Cuba which marks the end of Batista’s dictatorship.
Buildings on every street corner were adorned with Cuban
flags, a sure sign of true Cuban patriotism. Cubans are warm,
strong people who are proud of their national identity and
will school you on the teachings of José Marti in an instant.
We encountered many Cubans who expressed how they
felt about the possible changes to come. I noticed that the
answers were based on the age of the person. Cubans age 30
and older said they were concerned about the US taking over
Cuba in a way that would water down the culture and ruin
the Cuban landscape. However, they were excited about the
business opportunities and the economic boost that could
possibly help the country. Younger Cubans were excited
about the thought of Mc Donald’s and other American fast
food joints as well as brand name clothing. All that they
may have heard on TV or seen on the internet. As outsiders,
many of us felt differently, we know damaging consumerism
can be over a country but understand the steps the Cuba
needs to take in order to progress.
In February 2015, Campus Principal, Professor Clement
Sankat and Sharan Singh, director of the campus’ Office
of Institutional Advancement and Internationalization
visited various tertiary level institutions in Havana to
enhance the relationship between Cuba and Trinidad and
Tobago. In November, the University hosted a delegation
of Cuban scholars during Cuba week, a week dedicated to
conferences and lectures focusing on new opportunities,
intercultural communication and economic environment
of the Cuban Market. The year 2015 can be dubbed as the
year of Cuba, filled with cultural exchanges, collaborations
and relationship building. Our trip couldn’t have happened
at a better time.
Throughout the nine days, we explored the towering
Spanish and Baroque style buildings of oldHavana, ate fresh
vegetables from a cooperative organic farm, learned four
different styles of Cuban dance, and were treated to tea and
a presentation by members of the Caribbean Association of
Cuba. Dare I not mention, our bus breaking down on the
high way, as part of “The Cuban experience.”
According to Director of the campus’ Office of
Institutional Advancement and Internationalization, Sharan
Singh, “UWI Discovers is part ofThe UWI’s strategic efforts
towards internationalization: the development of education,
research, and community service for global impact.Through
cultural immersion and academic guidance, the series
explores emerging markets of the world to foster similar
critical thinking, technological innovation, and cultural
preservation in Caribbean nationals.”The group was hosted
by the Centre of JoseMartís Studies, led by Cuban academic
coordinator, Dr Jacqueline LaGuardia Martinez and UWI
study tour coordinator, Afiya Francis.They attended lectures
at the Centre followed by tours which covered several topics
including Cuban art and culture, politics, healthcare and
Cuba’s diplomatic relations.
One of the participants, UWI student, Solange
Roberts-Clarke said that the opportunity to get first-hand
knowledge about Cuban society, history, culture and much
more while experiencing Cuba was amazing. She left with
an overall deeper respect and love for the country as well
as a different perspective on life, people, history, culture of
Cuba and the world.
We can all agree with Solange. We left with an
appreciation for the charming island and our own home
country. We came back with memories and a stomach
bug. But overall, Cuba has changed our thoughts on over
consumption and waste, and what it means to have pride
in your country.
This year, the DISCOVER series will travel to South
Africa to learn about the history and culture of the country
and explore its wine regions, cosmopolitan cities andwildlife
game reserves. This follows trips to India in 2012 and
2013, and Brazil in 2013. At its core, the series provides the
opportunity to explore the most dynamic and increasingly
influential countries in the world. The tours are open to
students, staff and faculty of The UWI (all campuses) and
of all regional higher education institutions. Alumni of
The UWI are also welcome to apply as well as members
of the public who are active in fields related to the study
tour theme.
For further information, contact Afiya Francis
at 662-2002 ext. 84280, 224-3707 or email Afiya.Francis@
sta.uwi.edu.
UWI delegates with members of the Caribbean Association of Cuba
Group dinner on our first night in Cuba
Afiya Francis takes a jump in Vinales Valley
