Study Away: Old cars, new friends, and a spontaneous soccer game

Aurora University Spanish language students got a rare opportunity to visit Cuba this spring, not only to improve their Spanish-speaking skills but to experience a life relatively untouched by global commercialization. 

“Our mantra was ‘expect the unexpected,’” said Denise Hatcher, professor of Spanish and chair of foreign languages, who led the trip. “What we weren’t expecting were lessons in a culture like unreliable electricity and unrelenting heat.”

The students attended Estudio Sampere, an international language school, and stayed with host families in the Vibora neighborhood near the school. They spent the mornings in Spanish language class and the afternoons exploring. 

A cultural immersion beyond the classroom

The students visited sites in Havana; learned about Santeria, an Afro-Caribbean religion still practiced in Cuba; played an impromptu game of soccer with high school students; enjoyed the Playa del Este for a picnic on the beach at sunset; and saw monuments dedicated to Che Guevara, a 1950s figure of the Cuban Revolution. They also went salsa dancing, toured a tobacco plantation, attended an artisan fair, and went horseback riding in the Viñales Valley.

“Going to Cuba was out of my comfort zone and it's going to help me to get out of my comfort zone for future things in life,” said Brayan Lopez ’24. “It was also eye-opening in terms of seeing the difference in the culture.”

Cubs is a living museum of history, especially for students interested in Cold War politics, revolution, and the effects of embargoes. The pristine beaches and lush mountains contrast with the widespread economic hardships and shortages of basic goods.

Travel to Cuba reopened for many Americans during the Obama administration, with significant expansions in 2016. The U.S. government had restricted travel to Cuba decades earlier due to Cold War tensions following the Cuban Revolution, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. U.S. citizens can visit under authorized categories like educational exchanges, but general tourism remains restricted, and visitors must follow regulations, including securing a Cuban visa.

“Students may have previously learned about Cuba in school—it certainly has an interesting place in U.S. history. But it’s one thing to learn about a country and a different thing to experience it and meet people in person," said Matt Dabros, associate vice president for academic affairs. "These trips help nurture our appreciation for and understanding of diverse people and societies."

A life-changing experience

The trip offered a fascinating glimpse into the world outside of Aurora. Importantly, the students came away with knowledge they could apply to their future careers. Haley Noll ’26 is learning Spanish and wants to become a social worker.

“Cuba has shown me how lucky we are to have the resources to help people,” said Noll. “The biggest difference between Cuba and the United States is that social workers in Cuba often cannot access necessary resources, which leads to severe food and housing insecurity.”

Aspiring dentist Xarely Chavez ’26 learned that many Cubans don’t go to the dentist regularly because dentist offices often lack supplies. “It’s just very eye-opening.”

Manny Gonzalez ’25, who plans to be a teacher, realized how important travel is for an educator. “You have to be flexible,” he said. “You have to adapt to whatever your travels bring to your plate, and the same thing is true in the classroom.”

Hatcher hopes that students discover how travel opens up their minds, squelches stereotypes, and makes for a richer life. “It’s one thing to read a book,” said Hatcher. “But it’s a totally different thing to travel, meet the people, eat the food, have the experiences, and make the memories.”