Some members in C-Unity are studying in Havana, Cuba for seven weeks from May 28th to Jul 16th, 2011. The program is an on-site faculty lead program taught by Professor Elisa Facio (Ethnic Studies Department, CU Boulder).
Most of these students have not been outside the country and are extremely close with their families and have not been separated for long periods of time. They will learn how to be more independent and will grow and mature from this wonderful study abroad experience. Cuba is a unique country that will offer these students the opportunity to research social, cultural, and political topics that are critical in this day and age.
Most of these students have not been outside the country and are extremely close with their families and have not been separated for long periods of time. They will learn how to be more independent and will grow and mature from this wonderful study abroad experience. Cuba is a unique country that will offer these students the opportunity to research social, cultural, and political topics that are critical in this day and age.
- Check this blog frequently to hear about exciting experiences in Cuba of these students
- The following is a link to a "Chip-In Fundraiser" for our student costs in Cuba:
C-Unity Students in Cuba
Ariana Dominguez
Spanish Language and Literature and Elementary Education
C-Unity was an enormous help for me in transitioning from high school to college life. I was happy to be able to recognize a group of students together with me in the same classes! C-Unity is my support system.
It was very hard for me to separate from my parents but I soon got adjusted to the idea of being in another place experiencing on my own. Cuba is a wonderful country with even more wonderful people. I hope to learn to be more independent and learn more about this country that has been more or less ignored.
Genesis Quiñones
Geography and Studio Arts
C-Unity helped me meet other first generation students on campus and take classes with first generation students. Our first semester we all had two classes together and this helped me adjust to university course work with a community that was supportive.
Coming to Cuba has been a great experience and I feel grateful to have the opportunity to study here. I like that the program is faculty led because they encourage us to learn about the history of Cuba.
Luis Villalobos
Ethnic Studies
C-Unity has had a very positive impact on me. It was an opportunity to meet other students in a similar situation as myself. I was able to meet other first generation college students who felt lost and alone. Through C-Unity we were able to help one another become accustomed to college life and we were all there for each other.
I have always heard about the contradictions that exist in Cuba and it is a wonderful opportunity for me to actually be able to be here and experience Cuba personally. Being in Cuba is a wonderful opportunity for me to grow up and experience new things in life. It is a very humbling experience to be a part of Cuban culture.
Valerie Isabel Contreras
Ethnic Studies
I joined C-Unity a lot later than the other students in the group but as soon as I walked into the class room I felt the sense of community. Everyone was welcoming and has similar background situations as I do and it's important to have a group like this. It's hard to go to a school of many privileged students and not being privileged you feel excluded but C-Unity was inclusive of everyone no matter what. It is a home away from home.
Preparing for Cuba was difficult butUnity offered a lot of help and all the resources we could get to help us come to this trip. I wouldn't have made it to Cuba if it wasn't for C-Unity and all the help and support they gave me. Cuba is definitely a life changing experience that helps me understand cultures more. This trip has just made me appreciate people and things more in life and has given me more hope in humanity, we can make a change.
Neelah Ali
Ethnic Studies
C-Unity is a place of solidarity. We are all students with different experiences but whenever we see each other on campus we are able to connect to each other in a different way. We are able to gain a community through academics and through social outlets.
When the opportunity for going to Cuba was presented to me I was excited to indulge in the experience immediately. I was hoping to be turned upside down and shaken up, wanting to be changed in a good way. The minute I got here that transformation has started to occur, everyone and person in Cuba is helping to get me to that transformation.
