AGENDA

• Introductions

• Academic Program

and Letter of

Permission

• Cuba and Holguin

• The University of Holguin

• Housing at Casas de renta

• Documentation: Passport, visa

• Travel

• How to Apply

• Costs

• Testimonials

• Q & A

-This is a Study Abroad program operating annually in May through a partnership between uWaterloo and the University of Holguin Oscar Lucero Moya (UHO ).

- Courses in this program are taught by UHO instructors.

-Students are granted transfer credits by uWaterloo based on their Letter of Permission (LOP) from uWaterloo, and their transcript from UHO.

- UWaterloo sends an instructor with the students to coordinate the program on site, and assist Canadian students (University of Holguin staff are also very helpful). Instructor TBA.

LOP for transfer credit approval

• Download the form here: https://uwaterloo.ca/registrar/forms

• How to complete LOPhttps://uwaterloo.ca/registrar/forms/how-to-use-our-forms

• LOPs for this program must be signed by Professor Sillato (msillato@uwaterloo.ca).

CUBAN CULTURE WITH CAROLINA

Language Courses (2 weeks, May 4 to May 16)

• SPAN 201A and 201B : Intermediate Spanish 1 and 2

• SPAN 301A and B: Composition and Conversation 1 and 2

• SPAN 401A and B: Advanced Composition and Conversation 1 and 2

1 Credit

*Culture or Cinema Courses at all levels (2 weeks, May 18 to May 30)

*Exact titles of Culture Courses subject to confirmation in the near future

* Translation Course can also be offered

1 Credit (0.5 course)

*Other courses 1 Credit (0.5 course)

If you are interested in taking another course, please let us know.

Other Spanish courses may be offered depending on student interest

All courses include 20 hours of instruction per week.

Cultural and recreational excursions are organized for participants on weekends.

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UNIVERSITY OF HOLGUÍN – CELIA SÁNCHEZ- Founded in 1978- Named after the prime

decision- maker in te revolutionary struggle against Batista, the right-wing pro-U.S. dictatorship 1958.

- Public univeristy, tuition is free for Cuban students.

- Partnership with UWaterloo for almost 10 years. Spanish and English are taught in the Facultad de Humanidades.

- Quality education despite material shortages; e.g. website is often inaccesible due to internet infrastructure issues.

CASAS DE RENTA

Shared rooms in casas de renta : very well maintained villas with a nice patio in the back

A 10-15 minute walk from the Parque Calixto Garcia, the main square; c.40-minute walk from campus - transportation provided

Friendly staff, attentive to your needs, who prepare and serve breakfast; special dietary concerns can be accommodated

24-hour security

CASA ROSA

CASA WALTER

All meals, except breakfast, will be at Casa Walter.Casa Walter is a Casa de renta that also has a restaurant. The food is excellent and they can accomodate special diets.

TYPICAL BREAKFAST

COMMON AREAS

MEALS @ CASA WALTER

Participants arrange their own travel.

Direct flights are available out of Toronto to Holguin or flights with a connection in Havana (with possible overnight layover) are also popular.

The University will arrange transportation from and to Holguin airport, to and from campus, and for all planned excursions.

TRAVEL

TRANSPORTATION IN HOLGUIN

The tentative prices are as follow:

380CUC per week including:

• Food and accommodations• Course registration• Transportation• Weekend excursions to pool & beach• Entrance fee to one weekly nightly outing during

weekend

The price does not include:• The airfare• Transfers to/from airport (aprx. $10 round trip)• 40CUC airport tax upon departure

Special trip to Santiago

SCHOLARSHIPS

Laura López Kok Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship, valued at up to $1,000, may be awarded annually to an undergraduate student enrolled in Year Three of Honours Spanish and Latin American Studies in the Faculty of Arts, who has achieved a major average of 80% and has applied to study abroad in one of the departments’ exchange programs. Scholarships will also be granted by the International Studies Office dependent upon funding available.

Application deadline: February 1st.

Please print and submit an application form (PDF) to the Administrative Assistant in ML 316.

HOW TO APPLYIf you would like to participate, please e-mail cstevula@uwaterloo.ca as soon as possible, indicating which course(s) you want to take.

You must attend a Pre-departure Orientation meeting - https://uwaterloo.ca/study-abroad- programs/predeparture-orientation

Submit the approved Letter of Permission form, along with the $25.00 non-refundable processing fee, to the Office of the Registrar to affix the University of Waterloo seal. If paying by credit card, complete payment information at the bottom of the page. There is no additional fee for a replacement course(s) if the Host university has cancelled/closed an approved Letter of Permission course.

** Book your flight early **

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TESTIMONIALS

My experience in Cuba was truly life-altering. I not only improved my Spanish by getting to apply everything that I had previously learned in the classroom in day to day life, but I also made lasting friendships and gained cultural insight, which is an invaluable part of learning a second language. I strongly recommend this program to any student of Spanish at uWaterloo!”

Honours Student Élisabeth Tremblay - 2009

TESTIMONIALS CONTINUED ...Practice in speech, practice in writing, learning a new culture, as well as understanding and accepting differences. These are only the academic reasons why you should go to Cuba and take the time to study abroad. Other reasons that are more personal definitely include the chance to travel and see a new place, meet new people and be out on your own without ever being lonely. An amazing thing about this opportunity is that you'll all be living in different homes, maybe even with a family like I did, these homes are owned by Cubans and you will interact with them everyday. They become a part of your life there, as well as a few of the locals who are our age, they know our university groups and they have always helped us be more involved in the local scene which gives you the perfect opportunity to truly immerse yourself into the language and the culture. I still keep in contact with a few of my friends who are fortunate to have regular internet access, we help each other with English and Spanish respectively. The only thing I regret about Cuba was not climbing La Loma, but I'm glad because it gives me an excuse to go back even after graduation. Chloe Potovszky

Estudiar en Cuba este verano fue una experiencia inolvidable. Es una oportunidad única para aprender más que una idioma sino de una cultura vibrante también. Estaba rodeado de gente impresionante y siempre voy a estar agradecido a nuestros anfitriones benévolos. Ya ahora estoy esperando por una oportunidad a regresar. Studying in Cuba this summer was an unforgettable experience. It is a unique opportunity to learn about more than a language but about a vibrant culture as well. I was surrounded by amazing people and I will always be grateful to our gracious hosts. I cannot wait for a chance to go back.

Stanley Wong

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baQUESTIONS!

Don 't hesitate to ask!

Contact Information:

• Chérine Stevula: cstevula@uwaterloo.ca

• Professor Sillato: msillato@uwaterloo.ca