Academic Programs International Presents
SCCCD in Cuba
Find out more about traveling to Cuba!
Part 1: Program Information
Join Madera Community College and Oakhurst College Center faculty members Dr. Brad Millar and Dr. Frank Yancey on an adventurous 10-day study abroad program to Cuba. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to visit a beautiful Caribbean island nation to which travel is restricted for most Americans. Participants can enroll in Communication-1 (Public Speaking) and/or Biology-2 (Environmental Science). Each fulfills a separate general education requirement for the AA or transfer student. Communication-1 will focus on public speaking in relation to Cuban culture, history, and politics; Biology-2 will examine the natural ecosystems and native wildlife of Cuba, including many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that are found nowhere else.
Visit Old Havana, several cultural and natural history museums, a variety of national parks and preserves, and the infamous Bay of Pigs. Scheduled activities include viewing the unique flora, fauna, and ecosystems of Cuba, snorkeling pristine Caribbean coral reefs, dancing to Cuban rhythms and beats, and meeting and conversing with local farmers and merchants. Experience authentic Cuban culture and cuisine while housing with a Cuban family.
Please contact Dr. Brad Millar or Dr. Frank Yancey for more details.
Application Deadline: December 1st, 2021
Find more details below!
SCCCD Application Deadline: December 1, 2021
- A color copy of a valid passport must accompany your application.
- In order to confirm your application, you must make a $550 Confirmation Payment to API by December 15.
- API Application Link coming soon!
API Application and Confirmation Payment Deadline: December 15, 2021
- On this date, API will determine the final program price, based on the total number of confirmed participants and final airfare costs.
- If a minimum of 10 students are not confirmed by this date, refunds will be issued for the $550 Confirmation Payments.
- If a minimum of 10 students are confirmed by this date, students will be charged for the program balance, which will be due by January 3rd.
API Forms and Final Payment Deadlines: January 3rd, 2022
- Full payment is due to API from students, no refunds issued after this date.
- Any student who has not paid in full by this date, is subject to additional fees based on late bookings
- API cannot ticket any student on the group flight, secure a Cuban visa or make any on-site bookings on their behalf until full payment is received.
Part 2: Program Inclusions
What's Included
Pre-Departure Services
- Pre-departure materials including logistical and cultural information
On-Site Academic and Logistical Support
- Shared rooms in hotel Miami area before program start (1 night)
- Meet-up with SCCCD faculty leaders and API staff member in Miami
- Round-trip airfare on a group flight: Miami-Havana-Miami
- One group airport pick-up in Havana and one group airport return in Havana
- Cuban entry visa
- API cultural, health, and safety orientation upon arrival
- Accommodation in shared rooms at a student residencia in Havana
- Within a beautifully restored home located in the Vedado neighborhood; rooms are overseen by local host or host family
- Double, triple, and quadruple occupancy rooms
- Laundry service once a week
- Daily breakfast and dinner included (breakfast and lunch only on Saturdays and Sundays). Meals are taken in the residencia dining room, which may also be used for group discussions and debriefings.
- Weekly cleaning
- Please note that Wi-Fi is not available at most private residencias as Cuba does not yet have the infrastructure to support access in homes. Internet cards can be purchased on-site for access to the public Wi-Fi network at various Wi-Fi hotspots in the neighborhood.
- Group welcome meal, farewell meal, and one group lunch in Havana included
- Academic visits, guest lectures, and cultural activities, as listed in the itinerary
- Overnight excursion to Cienaga de Zapata National Park & Playa Giron (2 days, 1 night), including meals, transportation, and accommodations
- Ground transportation for scheduled activities
Not Included
- Domestic airfare from your home city to Miami before the program start
- Domestic airfare from Miami to your home city on program end
- Any additional meals or activities not specified or listed as “not included”
- Personal expenses (e.g. passport fees, luggage fees, souvenirs, etc.)
Part 3: Tentative Itinerary
This itinerary is not authorized by our Cuban partner until the contract is signed and the program participation numbers are finalized. As such, the itinerary is subject to modifications based on availability and/or governmental approvals.
Friday, April 8, 2022
- Individually-organized flight to Miami
- Participants arrange for transportation on own to hotel (to be confirmed)
- Check-in at airport hotel (organized by API)
- Overnight in Miami
Saturday, April 9, 2022
AM
- Check-in at departure airport for group flight
- Depart for Havana
- Arrival at Jose Marti International Airport
- API group airport reception and transfer to student residencia
PM
- API cultural, health and safety orientation
- Walking tour of Vedado neighborhood, time permitting
- API Welcome Dinner at a local paladar (private restaurant)
Sunday, April 10, 2022
AM
- Breakfast at Residencia
- Bus departure
- Welcome at local academic partner
- Guest lecture: US-Cuban Relations
- Guest lecture: Agricultural production & the food ration system in Cuba
PM
- Break for lunch (not included)
- Visit to Revolution Square & Jose Marti Memorial
- Dinner at Residencia
- Evening stroll down the malecón, Havana’s famous seawall
Monday, April 11, 2022
AM
- Breakfast at Residencia
- Walking tour of Old Havana, including 4 plazas
- Visit to the Natural History Museum in Old Havana
PM
- Break for lunch (not included) in Old Havana
- Visit to the Che Guevara Museum (La Cabana de Che Guevara) in Havana
- Dinner at Residencia
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
AM
- Breakfast at Residencia
- Guest lecture: Cuban Rhythms and Beats
- Guest lecture: Cuban flora and fauna
PM
- Break for lunch (not included)
- Course lectures by Dr. Yancey and Dr. Millar
- Dinner at Residencia
Wednesday, April 13, 2022
AM
- API Welcome Dinner at a local paladar (private restaurant)
- Guest Lecture: Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development in Cuba
PM
- Break for lunch (not included)
- Course lectures by Dr. Yancey and Dr. Millar
- Salsa dancing class at the Residencia
- Dinner at Residencia
- Optional evening activity: practice your salsa moves at Club 1830 (TBC)
Thursday, April 14, 2022
AM
- Breakfast at Residencia
- Visit and lecture from the Foundation of Antonio Nuñez Jimenez for Nature and Humanity (FANJ). Learn about efforts to promote environmental consciousness in Cuba.
PM
- Break for lunch (not included)
- Visit to the Felipe Poey Natural History Museum in Vedado
- Independent study time (or session with Dr. Yancy and Dr. Millar)
- Dinner at Residencia
Friday, April 15, 2022
Excursion to Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata/ Playa Girón
AM
- Breakfast at Residencia
- Depart for Playa Girón
- Stop at Parque Nacional Cienaga de Zapata for ecology and biodiversity study
PM
- Continue to Caleta Buena beach for lunch (included) and snorkeling or swimming activities
- Continue to Playa Girón
- Check-in and dinner at casas particulares
- Overnight in Playa Girón
Saturday, April 16, 2022
Excursion to Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata/ Playa Girón
AM
- Breakfast at casas particulares and check-out
- Visit to Playa Girón Museum for history on the Bay of Pigs
- Return to Havana
PM
- Late lunch at Residencia
- Independent study/reflection time
- Dinner on your own (not included)
Sunday, April 17, 2022
AM
- Breakfast at Residencia
- Visit to Finca Hermosa, an agroecological farm dedicated to agricultural and livestock production.
- Group lunch (included)
PM
- Afternoon to pack for departure and freshen up for dinner
- API Farewell Dinner at a local paladar
- Optional: art gallery viewing, music, and dancing at Fabrica de Arte Cubano (TBC)
Monday, April 18, 2022
AM
- Breakfast at Residencia
- Group transfer to Jose Marti International Airport
TBD
- Check-in for group flight to Miami
- Depart Havana for Miami
- Individually-organized return flight/arrangements to final destination
Please note that this itinerary is subject to change.
Part 4: Program Pricing
Estimated program costs*:
10-14 students: $4,095 per student
15-19 students: $3,725 per student
20-25 students: $3,475 per student
*Please note that this cost may be adjusted according to the final cost of Miami-Havana airfare.
Part 5: Important Supplementary Information – Your Passport and Visa
A valid passport is required for international travel. For Cuba, you will need to already have your passport in advance to send to State Center Community College District and API. We will be soliciting an entry visa on your behalf and must have a color copy of your passport by December.
- Don’t wait to apply or renew your passport!
- For U.S. Citizens, visit the US Department of State website here to start the process now! Processing times may be delayed – 10-12 weeks.
- For international students, please consult with your local embassy or consulate.
Interested in learning more?
For Questions or More Details:
Please email Dr. Brad Millarat [email protected] or Dr. Frank Yancey at [email protected].
To Apply:
Please E-mail Dr. Margaret Hiebert, Coordinator of International Education at [email protected] or call (559) 243-7265.
Academic Programs International (API) was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable experiential learning programs. Their extensive pre-departure preparation, coupled with strong support services on-site, facilitates academic, cultural and linguistic learning. Within the supportive environment of the API programs, API participants are encouraged to explore their host communities and become increasingly independent and confident in their own abilities. They strive to make international educational experiences accessible to as many participants as possible, and, as such, works to provide multiple program components at a low program cost.