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The Universidad de Oriente-University of Alberta Cuba Study Abroad Program provides students with the unique opportunity to live in Cuba for a semester. I had the privilege of taking part in the program in 2017, and it was not only unforgettable but also the best experience of my undergraduate degree.
With course selection just around the corner, now’s a great time to start thinking about your options for next year.
The Cuba program should definitely be at the top of your list for many (potentially overlooked) reasons, including:
You get to live in one of the most historical and revolutionary cities in Latin America.
Santiago de Cuba is the second-largest city in Cuba and the birthplace of the Cuban Revolution. History and revolution are everywhere you look, from the iconic Castillo del Morro that witnessed piracy and war, to Céspedes Park where Fidel Castro gave his first speech after the revolution in 1959, to the Plaza de la Revolución where Antonio Maceo is honoured with a 16-metre high sculpture. Not to mention, you’ll see more José Martí busts than you can count!
You’ll experience iconic Cuban art, culture and music.
Many aspects of Cuban music and dance, including el son, a genre that influenced the development of salsa and other Latin American music styles, were born in Santiago.
One of my favourite places in Santiago is La Casa de Las Tradiciones, a colonial-style home that was turned into an open-concept gathering space. Almost every day, musicians from across generations (ranging from 5 to 95 years old) can be found jamming and collaborating – it’s such a cool vibe. Throughout the program, you’ll experience local Cuban music, learn how to salsa dance and attend cultural events such as La Noche de la Santiaguera, the Santiago Orchestra and Afro-Cuban festivals.
You get to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of a tropical island.
Cuba is beautiful and you’ll have no shortage of time to spend in nature -- and yes, that includes beaches! The program’s field trips will allow you to visit places like UNESCO site La Gran Piedra, where a 70,000-tonne boulder sits on top of a mountain in the Sierra Maestra, explore local cooperative and ecologically diverse farms and discover coastal mangroves.
Living with a host family is transformative.
One of my favourite parts of the program was getting the opportunity to live with a Cuban family in a casa particular -- like a bed and breakfast. This experience was fundamental to my learning. I was welcomed as part of the family, learned so much Spanish and felt a special sense of belonging.
You’ll stand out in the job market.
Studying abroad, whether in Cuba or elsewhere, will help you stand out when you seek future opportunities or careers. It’s definitely been so important to my journey, both professionally and academically. The experience will broaden your worldview, enhance your intercultural skills and demonstrate your ability to adapt to diverse environments. Also, learning a second language (Spanish) never hurts! And there’s no better way to learn than through immersion.
Conduct your own community-based research project.
As part of the program’s required course (IDS 292), you’ll have the opportunity to choose a topic of interest to you and explore it throughout the semester with the support of instructors and the Universidad de Oriente. Many students complete interviews, explore new parts of the city and work with Cuban students to gain insights into their chosen topics. For example, students have explored mental health programs, interviewed small businesses and entrepreneurs to learn about the Cuban economy and engaged with families to learn about domestic labour across genders and generations.
The program fits many different degree requirements.
This program has hosted students from a range of faculties across the arts and humanities but also the Faculty of Science, ALES and the Faculty of Education. If you’re unsure about the program fitting into your degree, there are advisors ready to help you!
The program is fairly low-cost and funding is available.
Students with a minimum 2.7 GPA are eligible to apply for a study grant of $2,500. Also, the program is relatively inexpensive compared to other options as living in Cuba is very affordable!
You’ll get to skip Canadian winter!
The program runs January 2026 to April 2026 -- need I say more?
Applications are open and will be accepted on a rolling basis, so apply now! There is also an upcoming drop-in virtual information session scheduled for March 31 (6 - 8pm); stop by to learn more!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Janet Wesselius, professor, Augustana Campus.