Despite restriction, University students able to study in Cuba
Exactly how 'grande' are the academic interactions between Hopkins students and faculty with this robust island nation? More specifically, is it possible for a Hopkins student to study in Cuba under a study abroad program?
Surprisingly the answer is yes, according to senior philosophy major Graham Ellis.
Ellis took Spanish classes at the University of Havana over a 10 week period this past summer. Impassioned by what he believed were the "truly noble ideals" of the Cuban Revolution, Ellis sought to study in Cuba to see how these ideals play out in the daily Cuban experience. The processes through which he was able to study in Cuba was rather complicated, however.
"Hopkins has a valid license that enables students to study in Cuba," said Lori Citti, director for study abroad programs at Hopkins. "However as of now, "There is no 'study abroad program' in Cuba."
Citti noted, however that despite restrictions that the Department of the Treasury has imposed on study abroad programs offered at other universities (Harvard being a prime example), it is possible for a Hopkins student to study in Cuba through direct enrollment in a Cuban university under the Hopkins license. This is exactly what Ellis was able to do thanks to two years of research on US legislation against Cuba, specifically on travel restrictions to Cuba.
When Ellis first notified the Office of Study Abroad of his intention to study in Cuba, he was told that there was no possibility. The Bush administration had already eliminated nearly all channels of academic exchange with Cuba earlier in the decade.
"I started to dive a bit further, and met Dr. Gonzalez [Director of the Spanish and Latin American Subdivision of the Department of Romance Languages] who used to take students to Cuba over spring break," said Ellis.
After having studied US legislation on Cuba, he found a loophole through the Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC) under the Department of the Treasury - which administers and upholds economic sanctions in accordance with US foreign policy and national security interests.
Surprisingly the answer is yes, according to senior philosophy major Graham Ellis.
Ellis took Spanish classes at the University of Havana over a 10 week period this past summer. Impassioned by what he believed were the "truly noble ideals" of the Cuban Revolution, Ellis sought to study in Cuba to see how these ideals play out in the daily Cuban experience. The processes through which he was able to study in Cuba was rather complicated, however.
"Hopkins has a valid license that enables students to study in Cuba," said Lori Citti, director for study abroad programs at Hopkins. "However as of now, "There is no 'study abroad program' in Cuba."
Citti noted, however that despite restrictions that the Department of the Treasury has imposed on study abroad programs offered at other universities (Harvard being a prime example), it is possible for a Hopkins student to study in Cuba through direct enrollment in a Cuban university under the Hopkins license. This is exactly what Ellis was able to do thanks to two years of research on US legislation against Cuba, specifically on travel restrictions to Cuba.
When Ellis first notified the Office of Study Abroad of his intention to study in Cuba, he was told that there was no possibility. The Bush administration had already eliminated nearly all channels of academic exchange with Cuba earlier in the decade.
"I started to dive a bit further, and met Dr. Gonzalez [Director of the Spanish and Latin American Subdivision of the Department of Romance Languages] who used to take students to Cuba over spring break," said Ellis.
After having studied US legislation on Cuba, he found a loophole through the Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC) under the Department of the Treasury - which administers and upholds economic sanctions in accordance with US foreign policy and national security interests.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
kiev grata apartments
posted 1/03/10 @ 3:58 PM EST
Study in Cuba is the same as have vacation on Cuba, isn't it? It is intresting what can be studied in this country?
Danette Miller
posted 1/28/10 @ 7:54 AM EST
Cuba has more than enough misdirection to keep you busy without taking a class. But the low cost of study and the wealth of things to learn there makes doing so almost hardness. (Continued…)
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