This program has been canceled for summer 2025.
Cuba, Havana
Using all of your senses, this program will give you an opportunity to experience the history, mystery, and culture of Cuba, a land cut off from the U.S. for over a half century, by expanding your global consciousness, geopolitical knowledge, and intercultural appreciation.
During this two-week, summer program, led by UW-Madison professor Faisal Abdu'Allah, you will create a journal that reflects your experience traveling to Cuba and witnessing first-hand Cuban culture during this unique transitional period in its relationship with the United States.
This program is based in Havana, the cultural and political heart of Cuba. In partnership with IFSA, you will enjoy guided walking tours, photo and sketch excursions through Havana neighborhoods, historical locations, museums, galleries, and academic institutions. Inspired by these experiences, you will draw upon your own creative interests and abilities in constructing your journal.
The journal is a universal form of reflective creativity. It has played an important historical role in the development of ideas in virtually every field of the humanities and sciences. Combining writing, drawing, photography, and collage, the journal can take many forms – from handmade paper notebooks to blogs. The senses are encouraged to be incorporated into the journal, e.g. sound, touch, taste, and smell. Students in this course will select a journal form that best suits their individual interests, and apply that form to the context of experiential learning in the field.
Cuba is a unique study abroad opportunity for the adventurous and flexible student. Since Cuba and the United States have restored diplomatic relations, thus inviting foreign educational programs to resume, this is your opportunity to experience a location unlike many other study abroad destinations.
Learning Objectives
We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:
- Immerse yourself in Cuban history and society through the art-making process
- Develop a literacy in day-to-day life in Havana
- Engage with fellow UW students and faculty
- Achieve personal development and the ability to adapt to a new culture
Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.
Sustainability
We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.
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Eligibility
A valid passport is required at time of application, or by application deadline, to be considered eligible, due to the timing and nature of securing flights for this program.
- 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Preference is given to students in the School of Education (all majors). Further preference is given to students with a declared Art major.
- Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate Student
- Open to UW-Madison degree seeking students and all degree-seeking undergraduate students at a US college or university. Preference is given to UW-Madison students
- Good academic and disciplinary standing
- At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution
Advising Location
Program Structure
UW Signature
Subjects
Art; Latin American, Caribbean & Iberian Studies
Classroom Language
English
Housing
Guesthouse
Program Duration
Summer (2 weeks): June 1-15, 2025
Application Deadline(s)
Future durations will be posted at a later date.
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You will take a course based upon the making of a Creative Journal. As you engage with Cuban people, culture, and history in the field, your journal will serve as both a record of personal observations and reflections and as a future source for insights and ideas. Group discussions will provide further synthesis in the journal making process.
Creative journal making synthesizes a broad array of visual and written art forms: book arts; reflective writing; drawings and sketches; printmaking; photography; collage; blogs; and other means of expression of your choice. Field excursions will include contemporary graphics studios, galleries, significant historical sites, and museums where Cuba's unique cultural history will come to life. This experiential learning format, where daily life unfolds, will provide the foundations for your journal entries.
Cross-cultural experience through travel to another country is an exceptionally rewarding mode of exploration. The Creative Journal is a record of that exploration. Condensing experience into the Creative Journal encourages a deeper level of observation, analysis, and appreciation for the unique differences expressed in the world around us. This course aims to immerse you, through creative engagement and experience, in a society whose history of imposed isolation has not deterred their position at the cusp of a rapidly changing Hispanic/Latino framework. In the midst of the oldest settlements of the Americas, Cuba continues to be at the crossroads.
You will receive 3 credits upon completion of the program. You can choose:
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ART 448 Special Topics in Art
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LACIS 440 Topics in Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies
Graduate students are eligible to participate in the program and must select one of the pre-approved equivalents, which are undergraduate courses.
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents
Program Leader
Faisal Abdu'Allah