Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois, United States

Project Partner: Universidad de las Artes - ISA, Havana, Cuba

Overview

The Innovation Fund grant helped Northwestern University achieve several goals. First, it increased Northwestern student interest in the university’s undergraduate programs in Cuba, enrolling both programs to capacity. In 2015, forty (40) U.S. students participated in the “Public Health in Cuba” and “Cuba: Health and Society” programs at Northwestern during the grant period. Thanks in large part to scholarship resources available to participants through this grant and other sources, Northwestern was able to recruit an especially diverse student group. During Summer 2015, the Cuba cohort was 15% Black or African American, 11% Hispanic or Latino/Latina, and 10% biracial. This cohort also included a varsity athlete, who was able to continue her training in Havana. Additionally, two of the students were first-generation college students. Through the programs, students took classes, participated in academic and cultural excursions, and witnessed the historic opening of the U.S. Embassy in Havana in Summer 2015.

In Summer 2016, the program expanded to include a new course on “Latino Theatre in Context,” co-taught by Northwestern Professor and Teatro Buendía staff. Twenty (20) more U.S. students participated in the program, representing five of the seven schools 16 different majors. The cohorts were also diverse academically, with 50% of the participants being students of color, and 55% demonstrating financial need. The course provided students with an analysis of contemporary Cuban culture and society through an overview of the history and current state of theatre arts in Cuba and experience performing sections of Teatro Buendia’s Lo Obtra Tempestad, their original adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. Furthermore, students took a core course, “Introduction to Cuban Culture and Society.”

The university also increased faculty engagement with these programs, and expanded them to include a theater arts course “Latino Theater in Context,” co-taught by Northwestern faculty member and leaders from Teatro Buendia (one of whom also teaches at Universidad de las Artes-ISA). Another Northwestern professor taught one of the programs’ core courses, “Introduction to Cuban Culture and Society,” in 2016. Three (3) additional Northwestern’s Radio/TV/Film faculty travelled to Cuba during the 2015 program to meet with their counterparts in Havana. In October 2016, another Northwestern professor travelled to Cuba to explore an institutional collaboration with Facultad de Ciencias Médicas “Manuel Fajardo” in Havana. This, and a visit to the same institution by Northwestern Vice President for International Relations in March 2017, resulted in a delegation of eight (8) Northwestern medical and medical anthropology faculty members traveling to Havana to meet with their colleagues in June 2017.

Additionally, Northwestern hosted a number of Cuban scholars and professionals at Northwestern throughout the grant period. They will continue to develop their existing programs and relationships in Cuba, and seek out ways to foster new future collaborations.

“As filmmakers and scholars, it was life changing to be exposed to the work coming out of [Cuba]… As academics, it was interesting to meet the Dean of ISA and the head of the media department, other faculty members, and Cuban film critics, to learn how filmmaking and film studies are taught, to see what equipment is used, and how these programs are organized, to talk to Cuban film faculty and journalists, to understand the overall filmmaking scene in Havana – what gets produced, why, how, and by whom…

Radio/TV/Film Faculty Member

Northwestern University

Student Testimonials

"Thank you so much, [100,000 Strong in the Americas] for the scholarship support of my study abroad in Havana, Cuba. Since I’ve arrived back in the States, I’ve realized how profoundly the experience has impacted me, and I am incredibly grateful for your support that made it possible. As the child of a working-class family, I hadn’t had the opportunity to travel outside of the U.S. before this trip. I understood the importance of maintaining a sense of global citizenship, and tried to educate myself accordingly about the breadth of human experience by reading books, staying up to date with international news, and taking relevant classes. However, it is a truly unique educational opportunity to visit another country where a different language is spoken, a different history is taught, and a different reality shapes daily life. My perspective has been permanently broadened. Additionally, my visit to such a unique country at such a unique point in its history forced me to confront a lot of questions about the nature of government, the history and intentions of U.S. foreign policy, and the universality of many concepts and ideals my U.S. education has equipped me with to interpret the world. Ultimately, I left with more questions than I arrived with, but I recognize that as a sign of growth... I know the lessons learned in Cuba will continue to guide me as I pursue a career as a physician. My experiences in Havana will be with me as I continue my studies of global health systems, interact with patients and coworkers from diverse cultural, racial, and geographical backgrounds, and make decisions regarding the type of research and clinical practice I want to pursue. Thanks again for this opportunity!"

"My study abroad experience this past summer is something I will likely never have the chance to do again, and am very glad I had the opportunity to do. Through your support, I was able to travel to Cuba, rarely accessible to American citizens, and had access to exclusive resources, professors, and events. Thinking retrospectively, I can only hope that during my time abroad, I was wise enough to take full advantage of the time I had: meeting new people, hearing new ideas, and examining myself with an enhanced global perspective. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone for their hard work and financial support that allowed me to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at what may turn out to be a critical turning point in its history. I will always cherish the new ideas I was exposed to, the connections I made, and the unforgettable experience that I had in Cuba. So once again, thank you for your support, and I hope that [100,000 Strong in the Americas] continues to provide similar opportunities for more students in the years to come."

"Thank you for the opportunity to study in Havana. It was an intensely educational experience that will come to impact my thinking for the rest of my life. In fact, it is hard to imagine another point in my life in which I will learn so much in just two months' time. I learned an enormous amount about cultural perspective, race, nationalism, and politics, as well as group dynamics, and how to be a leader within a group. Havana is an incredibly fun and artistically and culturally rich city that I am excited for the students who come after me for whom the city and country will be even more accessible and explorable. I could not be more grateful to have had the experiences that I had in Havana and in Trinidad. As a writer, I have no doubt that it will greatly influence my writing in the future. It was easily the most exciting and growth inducing trip I have been on, and I could not be more appreciative of the chance to go. Thanks so much, [100,000 Strong in the Americas]."

"[100,000 Strong in the Americas'] support was vital to my ability to study abroad. Gifts like yours have greatly enhanced my Northwestern experience. They have allowed me to learn more and immerse myself in unique academic settings through exciting opportunities abroad. My study abroad experience in Cuba was unforgettable! In my time there, I learned about the culture, history, politics, economy, and society of Cuba. I fell in love with the rich beauty of Havana, the quick pace of the Spanish, the long days of the summer, the trips to the countryside, and the fried plantains. Moreover, I had the chance to live and experience this all there. Traveling to Cuba is no easy feat. It takes a great amount of resources and opportunity to do this, so I am especially grateful for the support that enabled me to study in Cuba. Thank you again for your contribution! Support from you made my experience possible. In fact, it has already made my entire college experience memorable."

"Thank you, [100,000 Strong in the Americas], for providing me the financial support that allowed me to study abroad in Cuba. My interest in global health prompted me to apply to the Northwestern Public Health in Cuba Program. I was intrigued by Cuba’s renowned health care system that has garnered international recognition for its success despite the country’s economic constraints. Thanks to your support, I was able to witness the health system in Cuba first-hand. The classes I took became so much more meaningful when I was immersed in the culture that I was learning about. I was able to go to a health clinic, speak to passionate doctors and talk to locals about their varying experiences with the health care system. I was also interested in witnessing the changing political dynamics between the U.S. and Cuba following the recent meeting of the countries’ presidents and the opening of discussions regarding human rights, lifting the embargo and re-opening the embassies. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go to the U.S. embassy on the day of its opening to see John Kerry speak, and to witness the American flag being raised above the embassy for the first time in over 50 years. To say I have returned to the U.S. with a broadened perspective is an understatement. I learned more during my eight weeks in Cuba than I could have ever imagined. I am extremely grateful to have been provided this opportunity and extend my sincerest gratitude for your support."

"Studying abroad in Cuba was a great opportunity to learn not only about Cuban culture, but to learn about the relations between our two countries during this interesting time. The experience allowed me to think critically about the changes to come, while savoring what the historic country has to offer.”

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