Students get taste of Cuba

This they expected: To bunk together in a house by the water. Walk to classes in the tropical heat, study Afro-Cuban art and learn the mysteries of the religion of Santeria. A group of Norfolk State University students also learned while studying in Cuba this year about blackouts and no cellphone service and to appreciate a heartfelt “buenos días.”

Norfolk State expanded its international studies program by going into what has been uncharted territory for most of the world. Travel bans have restricted many Americans from traveling to the Communist country for decades, but NSU got coveted licenses for its 10-week program. Faculty wanted the students to immerse themselves in the island’s history and culture and to lay a path for Cuban students who might one day want to study in the United States.

The students signed on for the experience and to work on their Spanish. Three of the students shared their journals, which focused on what they learned about the music, culture and the friendliness of the people, rather than the regime and issues of human rights.

Vinita Negron
Sophomore
She admits to being scared before leaving for 10 weeks abroad.

week 1 | The night before we left, I could not sleep. I was too excited and nervous. I tossed and turned all night, having dreams of dirt huts and bucket toilets. In the morning, I was not even tired. We landed in Miami! I was very excited since I have never been to Miami.
In the morning, we left for Havana. I will not lie, I cried on the airplane, just because I knew I would have little contact with everyone. I tried to hide it but the guy next to me noticed and offered me a small wash cloth to cry in, like a big baby.

Ashley McBride
Senior
She and some others on the trip meet a local named Carlos, who shows them around the capital city and watches over them in a market in Old Havana.

week 1 | Inside were tons of paintings, wood carvings, and other trinkets. It was illuminating. Carlos kept his eyes on us, made sure no one cheated us and constantly counted to make sure all 6 of us were present. We rode the guagua (bus) back to the casa. It was packed with people and the driver drove with purpose and speed. What I like most is that music is playing on the speakers.

P.S. The men are romantic, polite, and not afraid to tell a woman that she is beautiful without harassing her!

Negron
The class takes a field trip to Santiago de Cuba, the nation’s second-largest city, and she attends a rumba concert and tries to learn the moves.

Week 4 | I made a new friend and she tried to teach me how to dance to rumba. That was the hardest form of dance. The woman moves her hips around in a certain way; I just could not get it. She was very friendly and patient with my horrible dancing. That concert was the most fun I had the whole time being in Santiago.

Negron
While in Santiago de Cuba, she writes about an unexpected guest.

Week 4 | Finally, the last night we come in our room and I sat down and notice a dark image in the middle of the floor. IT’S A TURTLE! I freaked out because how would a turtle get in our room? It was a big turtle so it wouldn’t have crawled from under the door. After a lot of screaming and freaking out, we decide to get it out of the room. I wrapped it in a sheet and take it outside. My roommate says, “Wait, it might be their pet, let’s not put it outside.” I ignore her and say why would their pet would be running around in our room? So we agree and go to sleep.
In the morning, we tell our house father there was a turtle in our room! Our house father then explains that his neighbor put voodoo on the house so the turtle casts away bad spirits. I was even more speechless; I threw outside the only thing protecting us. Then later, the house mother tells us her friend found a turtle outside and it was our turtle! I was so relieved; so moral of the story is never throw a turtle outside!

Brittany Sumner
Senior
She says she’s taking in her new surroundings. She’s learning both academically and socially, but she’s also sharing information: Her new Cuban friends are curious about what her life in the States is like.

WEEK 7 | When I first met some of my friends, they were surprised that I was an African American student from the United States. They always told me all of the students they saw or met were white and sometimes Asian.

The question that was most asked was if I had my own car. I told them I did, but had to explain that having a car isn’t a sign of wealth as it is sometimes in Cuba. I explained how in the states we have bills that we must pay from our wages and this can leave some broke. Being a student isn’t easy. I explained how if I want to further my education I have to pay it along with buying books. Here in Cuba, the government pays for this.

When they hear “the United States” money is automatically associated with it. But what they didn’t know was that everyone in the United States is not rich.

Sumner
She reminisces about her visit and what she will miss, including her house mother, a woman named Maria.

THE LAST NIGHT | This is truly a sad moment. Tonight I went for a walk to take in the last sights of this wonderful island. I’m going to miss the Cuban lifestyle. I didn’t think I would become so emotionally attached to the people and the country.

Tomorrow is my last day. Last breakfast prepared by Maria. Last time I will take the elevator to the first floor to stand on Cuban pavement. Maria looks so sad tonight. We were her first group of all black students. We love her as a grandmother and she loves us all as grandchildren.

Off to enjoy the night. It’s raining, but people are still in the streets singing, dancing and drinking. After all, this is the Cuban way. :)