Term	Start Date	End Date	Application Deadline
Winter 2025	Dec 26, 2024	Jan 16, 2025	Oct 01, 2024

The Program

Study for three weeks at The Instituto de Filosofía in La Habana, Cuba.

Students will study the impact of African, Spanish, and American influences on Cuban Culture and Society, as well as embarking on field trips to significant surrounding areas of the country. Excursions include walking tours, museum visits, and guest lectures coupled with cultural activities and meals to provide you the opportunity to interact with Cubans and learn firsthand their perspective of our common histories. Individual courses have field trips, performances, or outings built in to complement what you explore in class. You’ll also visit a tobacco plantation, cigar factory, and a beach resort to experience the full range of Cuba’s agricultural history and present tourism economies.

Program Location

Havana

Havana (La Habana), the capital of Cuba, is a bustling city full of culture, arts, and entertainment. Old Habana is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the best-preserved colonial Spanish complexes in the Americas. With a population of 2.1 million, Havana is the 7th largest city in North America. Students will find that Havana is full of color, with salsa music, parties, and open-air bazaars. There are many landmarks to explore in Havana, including Fusterlandia, El Moro, Gran Teatro de la Habana, and the Hemingway Museum. The friendly and multicultural Cuban society supports a rich and varied Caribbean culture that is a fusion of African, Spanish, and American influences. Cuban music, dance, literature, cuisine, and art all reflect this historical and cultural mixture resulting in a sensory overload of exotic rhythms, vibrant colors, and tropical flavors. Cuba's natural beauty is as unique as its culture, with agricultural valleys and plains and thousands of miles of shoreline and pristine beaches.

Academics

To view the list of courses available for the Winter 2025 session, please click here. To request a course syllabus, email syllabus@usac.edu

This program is great for students enrolled in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, and Spanish, History/Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, and Latino & Caribbean Studies majors. Students will take courses at The Instituto de Filosofía in La Habana. Founded in 1968 and maintains close ties with the Universidad de la Habana and other universities in the country, the US, Europe, and Latin America. Students can take courses from a wide range of academic subjects, from Cuban Cuisine, to History, Politics, Dance, and Spanish.

Students will enroll in three to four credits; at least one 3-credit course is required. Courses are taught in English unless otherwise noted in Spanish. Courses taught in Spanish are typically intended for students with four or more semesters of college Spanish. Courses are subject to minor changes resulting from on-going curricular review, faculty assignments, and program revisions. Course availability is conditional on student interest and enrollment.

To get an idea of what it would be like in Cuba, check out this photo gallery.

For information about study abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academic Planning section of our website.

Watch a student-made video about their experience in 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPBr3AGuVI0

Winter

To view the current academic calendar, please visit the USAC web page .

*All dates are subject to change. Do not book your flight until you have been accepted by the university and the academic dates have been confirmed.

December 26, 2022	Departure from the U.S. on optional group flight
December 26	Arrival in Cuba
December 26	Move into program housing
December 27	Mandatory orientation
December 27	Courses begin
December 31	New Year's Eve dinner with Cuban family
January 2, 2023	Field trip – Vinales
January 8	Field trip – Old Havana & University of Havana
January 9	Field trip – Hemingway Museum
January 13	Courses end
January 14	Final examinations
January 15	Program end date
January 15	Move out of program housing
January 15	Students depart Cuba

Ideal Participant Profile for the USAC Havana Program

Season & Climate:
The winter season in Havana offers warm, tropical weather with temperatures ranging from 70–80°F (21–27°C), though cooler evenings are possible. Humidity can be high, so students should be prepared for a warm, subtropical climate with varied urban and coastal settings.

Characteristics of a Successful Participant:

Interest in Latin American Studies and Cuban History:
This program is tailored for students who are passionate about Cuban culture, Latin American history, and social dynamics. Those eager to learn about Cuba’s unique political, economic, and cultural heritage will find this program highly rewarding.
Open-Minded and Culturally Curious:
Students will engage directly with local Cuban life, which can be different from their own experiences in terms of infrastructure, daily lifestyle, and resources. Open-minded participants will appreciate these differences and be excited to learn about Cuban customs, arts, and traditions.
Adaptability and Resilience in a Unique Setting:
Havana may have limitations in access to modern conveniences, such as high-speed internet or air conditioning, that students may be accustomed to. Those who can adapt to these differences will thrive and fully immerse themselves in Cuban life.
Comfort with Walking and Outdoor Exploration:
Havana is best experienced on foot, from its vibrant neighborhoods to historical sites. Participants should be comfortable with daily walking, often over cobbled streets or uneven terrain, which will enhance their understanding of the city and its rich history.
Basic Spanish Knowledge or Interest in Language Learning:
While fluency isn’t required, basic Spanish can enhance students' experiences and allow for deeper connections with locals. Students who are interested in practicing Spanish will likely find this program especially meaningful.
Respect for Ethical Engagement and Diverse Perspectives:
Cuba’s history and current context require respectful and ethically aware engagement. Students should be mindful of representing their experiences accurately and respectfully, acknowledging the complexity of Cuban society and the importance of ethical tourism.

Housing and Meals

Homestay

For your time in Cuba, you will stay in bed-and-breakfast style apartments, run by local Cuban families, near the Instituto de Filosofia in a student neighborhood. This style of accommodation is relatively new in Cuba and it provides you with an authentic Cuban family experience. The area is only a five minute taxi ride to Habana Vieja (the popular, touristy part of La Habana). The Vedado neighborhood is far less touristy than Habana Vieja and offers a more authentic experience; it is also close to the recently opened American embassy. You will stay in double rooms, and there will be a few students in each apartment. There will be a common living space and kitchen so you can spend time with and communicate with your host family. Daily breakfast will be provided by the landlady of the apartments.

For information about passport and visa requirements, visit https://usac.edu/study-abroad-programs/cuba/passport-and-visa

Financial Information

Winter 2025

Program Costs

This is the billed amount that will appear on your Rutgers term bill during the term you study abroad.

	NJ Resident	non-NJ Resident
Program Cost for Undergrad	$5,540	$5,970

Program Cost includes:

•    Tuition
•    Housing
•    Breakfast
•    Administrative Fees
•   Emergency Medical Access Abroad

* The winter session student fee is not included in the program cost above.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

These are estimated expenses that are not part of your term bill. Students will need to pay for these expenses out-of-pocket.


Airfare	$1,000
Meals	$450
Local Transportation	$30
Personal Expenses	$350
*USAC Application Fee	$100
Total	$1,930.00

Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:

The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.

Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.

*The $100 non-refundable USAC application fee you paid USAC has already been deducted from the program cost.

Scholarships

Rutgers Global–Study Abroad Scholarships

Available to all Rutgers students participating in a Rutgers Global–Study Abroad program. Applications can be found inside of your study abroad program application. For more information, please visit the Scholarship section of our website.