Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, Ohio University students will be able to travel to a land that has been stigmatized and forbidden by the United States government for years.
After years of talks and the easing of tensions, the U.S. began lifting some if its travel restrictions on Cuba late last year, and Ohio University has began offering opportunities for its students to travel to the island nation. The ban was originally enacted during the Cold War in which Cuba, a socialist nation, supported the Soviet Union.
“I think a lot of faculty and staff here at OU were excited and interested in the change,” Lori Lammert, associate director of Global Affairs and international Studies said. “And we see an opportunity to get somewhere that probably will be changing quickly, and really capture a historical moment.”
Lammert, along with five professors from different departments of the university, traveled to Cuba in January to investigate possible learning opportunities there. She said that, while the country’s third-world infrastructure could present challenges, there are very few other safety concerns involved.
“Cuba doesn’t have as significant of crime risks as many other places in the world, so in that respect it’s considered pretty safe.” she said.
The Colleges of health sciences, arts and sciences, business and communication are all offering programs in Cuba. The business school offers both graduate and undergraduate programs.
Theresa Moran, an assistant professor and director of the food studies theme at OU, said students should take advantage of the change in policy to gain a different perspective on Cuba.
“The changing diplomatic status makes this moment in time unique for Americans.” Moran said. ”As americans we need to reevaluate our relationship with this neighbor country… that we have long considered to be an enemy.”
Several students also expressed their interest in traveling to the island nation.
Austin McClain, a freshman studying entrepreneurship, said that he would be interested in traveling to Cuba.
“It’s just a totally different culture, and with all of the political things that would be somewhere interesting to go,” McClain said.
According to the Office of Global Opportunities' website, financial aid and scholarships may be applied to help fund study abroad programs, making them available to students of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Applications for the study abroad programs in Cuba can be accessed through the Office of Global Opportunities' website. The deadlines are on Oct. 1 for the comparative health systems and business programs, and on Oct. 9 for the journalism and food sciences programs.
They are all open to students of any major.
"It's all couched in the culture," Lammert said. "So even if you're not in one of these majors there's still an opportunity to take this coursework and learn about Cuba from a new and different perspective."
