Summer Spanish Language and Cuban Culture Studies in Havana

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What's Included

Students who study abroad in Cuba with API during the summer participate in the Language and Culture Program.

What's Included?

Highlights

Pre Departure Services

Advising

@api Online System

Orientation Materials and Resources

Access to International Phone Plans

API Alumni Network

Social Networking

Scholarships

Round-Trip Airfare (Miami-Havana)

On Site Services

Airport Reception

API Center

On-Site Orientation

Tuition

Medical and Life Insurance

Resident Directors

Social and Cultural Activities

Welcome and Farewell Group Meals

Volunteer Opportunities

Tutoring

Housing (breakfast and dinner included)

Language and Culture Tools

Excursions

Re-Entry Services

Re-Entry Materials and Support

Post-Program Evaluation

Transcript

Alumni Network and Global Leadership Academy
View all opportunities and amenities

Application Requirements

  • 3.0 G.P.A.
  • Must be enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate student and under the age of 25
  • Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors
  • Completed API application
  • University Approval Form
  • One letter of recommendation
  • One official transcript
  • Entry requirements: valid passport and entry visa
Excursions

API students participate in several excursions per session designed to help familiarize them with areas of their host city, country, and surrounding region. The following is a listing of all excursions for API Havana programs. All excursions are subject to change.

  • Varadero

    In the last 20 years, the Cuban tourism industry has increased greatly and has helped the government deal with the economic hard times of the 1990’s when Cuba lost the support of the Soviet Union. Now millions of tourists travel to Cuba and Varadero is one of the most popular destinations with 20 km of white sand and tranquil turquoise waters. Despite the increasing construction of hotels, Cuba has one of the most comprehensive sets of laws in the region for sustainability and protection of the environment. You will enjoy pristine beaches, water sports, salsa music on the beach, spectacularly colorful sunsets and may opt to explore nearby caves and ecological reserves.

  • Trinidad and Playa Girón

    Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, now a major tourist destination, has preserved the stately colonial mansions and buildings remnants of its former wealth from sugar mills. In addition to the town itself, a stop for the night at one of the south coast's best beaches and a view of the Escambray mountains, a strategic point in Fidel Castro's revolution, make Trinidad a highlight of any trip through Cuba.

    Playa Girón is a small seaside town and the site of the famous 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. It is located in Ciénaga Zapata marsh, which is now a UNESCO biosphere and national park. The town of Playa Girón features a museum dedicated to the battle and rocky beaches with crystal blue water.

  • Trinidad and Playa Girón

    Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site, now a major tourist destination, has preserved the stately colonial mansions and buildings remnants of its former wealth from sugar mills. In addition to the town itself, a stop for the night at one of the south coast's best beaches and a view of the Escambray mountains, a strategic point in Fidel Castro's revolution, make Trinidad a highlight of any trip through Cuba.

    Playa Girón is a small seaside town and the site of the famous 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. It is located in Ciénaga Zapata marsh, which is now a UNESCO biosphere and national park. The town of Playa Girón features a museum dedicated to the battle and rocky beaches with crystal blue water.

  • Varadero

    In the last 20 years, the Cuban tourism industry has increased greatly and has helped the government deal with the economic hard times of the 1990’s when Cuba lost the support of the Soviet Union. Now millions of tourists travel to Cuba and Varadero is one of the most popular destinations with 20 km of white sand and tranquil turquoise waters. Despite the increasing construction of hotels, Cuba has one of the most comprehensive sets of laws in the region for sustainability and protection of the environment. You will enjoy pristine beaches, water sports, salsa music on the beach, spectacularly colorful sunsets and may opt to explore nearby caves and ecological reserves.

  • Viñales and Las Terrazas

    The province of Pinar del Río is the principal tobacco growing area of Cuba. Lush, green fields, dotted with picturesque tobacco drying huts and thatched roofed homes (bohíos) of the local farmers, or ¨guajiros, ¨make for stunning scenery. The province’s main attraction is the famous Valley of Viñales, where huge flat-topped limestone formations (mogotes) rise high above the valley floor. These “mogotes” are laced with spectacular caves, with flowing internal rivers which can be explored by hiking and boat rides.

    Las Terrazas is a small pioneering eco-village, originally a reforestation project and now a UNESCO biosphere reserve. A self-sustaining community, with a hotel, shops, a vegetarian restaurant and organic farming, it boasts a canopy tour, the remains of coffee plantations from the past century, and is a center for artist, and artisans of many kinds.

  • Guanabo Beach

    Guanabo is part of Havana’s east beaches or “playas del este", a string of pristine beaches just 30 minutes outside of the city of Havana. These beaches are not known for tourist infrastructure, they only host a few Soviet-style resorts, but are rather a great place to see how the Habaneros escape the Caribbean heat and enjoy themselves.

  • Viñales and Las Terrazas

    The province of Pinar del Río is the principal tobacco growing area of Cuba. Lush, green fields, dotted with picturesque tobacco drying huts and thatched roofed homes (bohíos) of the local farmers, or ¨guajiros, ¨make for stunning scenery. The province’s main attraction is the famous Valley of Viñales, where huge flat-topped limestone formations (mogotes) rise high above the valley floor. These “mogotes” are laced with spectacular caves, with flowing internal rivers which can be explored by hiking and boat rides.

    Las Terrazas is a small pioneering eco-village, originally a reforestation project and now a UNESCO biosphere reserve. A self-sustaining community, with a hotel, shops, a vegetarian restaurant and organic farming, it boasts a canopy tour, the remains of coffee plantations from the past century, and is a center for artist, and artisans of many kinds.

  • Guanabo Beach

    Guanabo is part of Havana’s east beaches or “playas del este", a string of pristine beaches just 30 minutes outside of the city of Havana. These beaches are not known for tourist infrastructure, they only host a few Soviet-style resorts, but are rather a great place to see how the Habaneros escape the Caribbean heat and enjoy themselves.

Program Details

What You’ll Study

TOTAL CREDITS - 4-6 credits per session (up to 12 total)

Students who study abroad in Cuba with API during the summer participate in the Language and Culture Program.

Note: The contact hours for the Summer 1 and 2 courses are different due to different program session lengths. The Summer 1 program is a four-week program, while the Summer 2 program is a three-week program.

SUMMER 1 (JUNE PROGRAM)

  • Summer 1 students choose between one of two offered tracks: Spanish Language or Spanish Language and Culture/Cine. Language levels are evaluated upon completion of an on-site placement exam administered by the Universidad de la Habana.
  • Summer 1, Track 1 students complete one 90-hour Spanish language and culture course.
  • Summer 1, Track 2 students complete one 45-hour language course alongside one 45-hour culture or cinema course. The cinema course is available for students who have an intermediate/advanced level of Spanish. Language levels are evaluated upon completion of an on-site placement exam administered by the Universidad de la Habana.

SUMMER 2 (JULY PROGRAM)

  • Summer 2 students complete one 75 contact hour Spanish language and culture course (comprised of 60 hours of classroom Spanish and 15 hours of culture).

TRANSCRIPTS

Students receive a transcript from the Universidad de la Habana upon completion of their program.

Staff & Coordinators

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    Emily Moran

    Emily Moran will be your Resident Director in Havana and a resource for you on-site.

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    Lauren Daniels

    Lauren Daniels will be your Program Manager for this location and will prepare you to go abroad with us!

    Email - lauren.daniels@apiabroad.com

Courses

COURSE OFFERINGS

Note: The contact hours for the Summer 1 and 2 courses are different due to different program session lengths. The Summer 1 program is a four-week program, while the Summer 2 program is a three-week program.

SUMMER 1 COURSE OPTIONS (JUNE)

  • Summer 1 students choose between one of two offered tracks: Spanish Language or Spanish Language and Culture/Cine. Language levels are evaluated upon completion of an on-site placement exam administered by the Universidad de la Habana.
  • TRACK 1 – SPANISH LANGUAGE TRACK
    • Summer 1, Track 1 students complete one 90-hour Spanish language and culture course.
  • TRACK 2 – SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE/CINEMA TRACK
    • Summer 1, Track 2 students complete one 45-hour language course alongside one 45-hour culture or cinema course. The cinema course is available for students who have an intermediate/advanced level of Spanish. Language levels are evaluated upon completion of an on-site placement exam administered by the Universidad de la Habana.

SUMMER 2 COURSE OPTIONS (JULY)

  • Summer 2 students complete one 75 contact hour Spanish language and culture course.

CREDIT INFORMATION

The Universidad de la Habana operates on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.

Español Principiante y Cultura Cubana (Beginning Spanish Language and Cuban Culture)

This course is conceived as a brush-up course for those who have previously taken some Spanish, but who need to review the basics in preparation for taking intermediate level classes. Listening, reading, speaking and writing exercises give students practice with the four skills and build confidence in the learner. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Beginner  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 90

Español Intermedio y Cultura Cubana (Intermediate Spanish and Cuban Culture)

This intermediate course begins with a quick overview of essential grammatical constructions learned in first-year courses. The principal objective of this intermediate course is to help students become comfortable and accurate in expressing the following communicative functions: describing, comparing, expressing likes and dislikes, narrating in the past, reacting and recommending, hypothesizing and narrating in the future. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Intermediate  

Contact Hours: 90

Español Avanzado y Cultura Cubana (Advanced Spanish and Cuban Culture)

This course offers an in-depth review and the study of the more problematic aspects of Spanish grammar for English speakers. Topics will be presented in cultural contexts and includes vocabulary expansion exercises and ample communicative activities. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban Identity, Popular Religious Practices, The Central Role of Music in Cuban Life, Environmental Issues.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Advanced  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 90

Español Principiante (Beginning Spanish Language)

This two-week course is conceived as a brush up course for those who have previously taken some Spanish, but who need to review the basics in preparation for taking intermediate level classes. This course includes 10 cultural hours with seminars covering topics such as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance. Teaching methods will include lectures, tutorials, and visits to museums and other relevant sites such as the Museum of Fine Arts, an open-air market, the Revolution museum, etc.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Beginner  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Español Intermedio (Intermediate Spanish)

This two-week course begins with a quick overview of essential grammatical constructions learned in first-year courses. This course includes 10 cultural hours with seminars covering topics such as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance. Teaching methods will include lectures, tutorials, and visits to museums and other relevant sites such as the Museum of Fine Arts, an open-air market, the Revolution museum, etc.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Intermediate  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Español Avanzado (Advanced Spanish)

This two-week course offers an in-depth review and the study of the more problematic aspects of Spanish grammar for English speakers. Teaching methods will include lectures, tutorials, and visits to museums and other relevant sites such as the Museum of Fine Arts, an open-air market, the Revolution museum, etc.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Advanced  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Cultura Cubana (Cuban Culture)

This course aims to provide an overview of the development of Cuban Culture, in its richness and complexity, from its origins to the present. Students will examine cultural, artistic, economic, political and social developments that have integrated an ethnically diverse nation. The course is open to students at the intermediate and advanced levels.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Intermediate  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Cuban Cinema

This course aims to provide an overview of Cuban cinema from the 1960’s to the present. It will explore Cuban culture, language, and history through films, both documentary, and fictional narrative. The purpose of this course is to provide students with insight into the Cuban Revolution from its earliest days to the present. Students will learn the vocabulary necessary to critically discuss and analyze films in terms of character development, cinematography, direction, editing, rhythm, and music. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the role cinema plays in relationship to the values and assumptions of the target culture.

Language of Instruction: Spanish   

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Español Principiante y Cultura Cubana (Beginning Spanish Language and Cuban Culture)

This course is conceived as a brush-up course for those who have previously taken some Spanish, but who need to review the basics in preparation for taking intermediate level classes. Listening, reading, speaking and writing exercises give students practice with the four skills and build confidence in the learner. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Beginner  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 90

Español Intermedio y Cultura Cubana (Intermediate Spanish and Cuban Culture)

This intermediate course begins with a quick overview of essential grammatical constructions learned in first-year courses. The principal objective of this intermediate course is to help students become comfortable and accurate in expressing the following communicative functions: describing, comparing, expressing likes and dislikes, narrating in the past, reacting and recommending, hypothesizing and narrating in the future. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Intermediate  

Contact Hours: 90

Español Avanzado y Cultura Cubana (Advanced Spanish and Cuban Culture)

This course offers an in-depth review and the study of the more problematic aspects of Spanish grammar for English speakers. Topics will be presented in cultural contexts and includes vocabulary expansion exercises and ample communicative activities. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban Identity, Popular Religious Practices, The Central Role of Music in Cuban Life, Environmental Issues.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Advanced  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 90

Español Principiante (Beginning Spanish Language)

This two-week course is conceived as a brush up course for those who have previously taken some Spanish, but who need to review the basics in preparation for taking intermediate level classes. This course includes 10 cultural hours with seminars covering topics such as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance. Teaching methods will include lectures, tutorials, and visits to museums and other relevant sites such as the Museum of Fine Arts, an open-air market, the Revolution museum, etc.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Beginner  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Español Intermedio (Intermediate Spanish)

This two-week course begins with a quick overview of essential grammatical constructions learned in first-year courses. This course includes 10 cultural hours with seminars covering topics such as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance. Teaching methods will include lectures, tutorials, and visits to museums and other relevant sites such as the Museum of Fine Arts, an open-air market, the Revolution museum, etc.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Intermediate  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Español Avanzado (Advanced Spanish)

This two-week course offers an in-depth review and the study of the more problematic aspects of Spanish grammar for English speakers. Teaching methods will include lectures, tutorials, and visits to museums and other relevant sites such as the Museum of Fine Arts, an open-air market, the Revolution museum, etc.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Advanced  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Cultura Cubana (Cuban Culture)

This course aims to provide an overview of the development of Cuban Culture, in its richness and complexity, from its origins to the present. Students will examine cultural, artistic, economic, political and social developments that have integrated an ethnically diverse nation. The course is open to students at the intermediate and advanced levels.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Intermediate  

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Cuban Cinema

This course aims to provide an overview of Cuban cinema from the 1960’s to the present. It will explore Cuban culture, language, and history through films, both documentary, and fictional narrative. The purpose of this course is to provide students with insight into the Cuban Revolution from its earliest days to the present. Students will learn the vocabulary necessary to critically discuss and analyze films in terms of character development, cinematography, direction, editing, rhythm, and music. Upon completion of this course, students will understand the role cinema plays in relationship to the values and assumptions of the target culture.

Language of Instruction: Spanish   

Recommended US semester credits: 3   Contact Hours: 45

Beginning Spanish Language and Culture

This course is conceived as a brush-up course for those who have previously taken some Spanish, but who need to review the basics in preparation for taking intermediate level classes. Starting with communicative situations that are of immediate use to students who are living in Cuba, they will practice communicative functions including expressions for introducing oneself, asking and giving directions and information about getting around the city. Then students will practice describing and comparing people and places, expressing likes, dislikes, and opinions. The verbs tenses that are reviewed and practiced in cultural contexts are present indicative, present perfect, preterite, imperative and future tenses. Listening, reading, speaking and writing exercises give students practice with the four skills and build confidence in the learner. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Beginner  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 75

Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture

This intermediate course begins with a quick overview of essential grammatical constructions learned in first-year courses. Structures are reviewed through written exercises and communicative activities that require students to use basic grammatical constructions to accurately describe people, places, and activities in the present tense and express likes, dislikes, and opinions. There will also be a review of preterite and imperfect verb forms, future tense, and commands. The course then proceeds with a strong emphasis on past tense narration, the multiple uses of the subjunctive mood, with work on reported speech, connectors, hypothesis, and conjecture. All of the above is presented in cultural contexts and includes vocabulary expansion exercises and ample communicative activities. The principal objective of this intermediate course is to help students become comfortable and accurate in expressing the following communicative functions: describing, comparing, expressing likes and dislikes, narrating in the past, reacting and recommending, hypothesizing and narrating in the future. Writing activities integrate and recycle the above communicative functions in short essays and opinion pieces with the Cuban experience as the backdrop for creative expression. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Intermediate  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 75

Advanced Spanish Language and Culture

This course offers an in-depth review and the study of the more problematic aspects of Spanish grammar for English speakers. After an overview of the subjunctive and past tense narration rules, the course proceeds with intense work in consolidating the multiple uses of the subjunctive in nominal, adjectival and adverbial clauses and practice in perfecting skills in past tense narration. Other grammatical points include a sequence of tenses, passive voice, conditional, prepositions and future perfect. All of the above is presented in cultural contexts and includes vocabulary expansion exercises and ample communicative activities. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban Identity, Popular Religious Practices, The Central Role of Music in Cuban Life, Environmental Issues.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Advanced  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 75

Beginning Spanish Language and Culture

This course is conceived as a brush-up course for those who have previously taken some Spanish, but who need to review the basics in preparation for taking intermediate level classes. Starting with communicative situations that are of immediate use to students who are living in Cuba, they will practice communicative functions including expressions for introducing oneself, asking and giving directions and information about getting around the city. Then students will practice describing and comparing people and places, expressing likes, dislikes, and opinions. The verbs tenses that are reviewed and practiced in cultural contexts are present indicative, present perfect, preterite, imperative and future tenses. Listening, reading, speaking and writing exercises give students practice with the four skills and build confidence in the learner. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Beginner  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 75

Intermediate Spanish Language and Culture

This intermediate course begins with a quick overview of essential grammatical constructions learned in first-year courses. Structures are reviewed through written exercises and communicative activities that require students to use basic grammatical constructions to accurately describe people, places, and activities in the present tense and express likes, dislikes, and opinions. There will also be a review of preterite and imperfect verb forms, future tense, and commands. The course then proceeds with a strong emphasis on past tense narration, the multiple uses of the subjunctive mood, with work on reported speech, connectors, hypothesis, and conjecture. All of the above is presented in cultural contexts and includes vocabulary expansion exercises and ample communicative activities. The principal objective of this intermediate course is to help students become comfortable and accurate in expressing the following communicative functions: describing, comparing, expressing likes and dislikes, narrating in the past, reacting and recommending, hypothesizing and narrating in the future. Writing activities integrate and recycle the above communicative functions in short essays and opinion pieces with the Cuban experience as the backdrop for creative expression. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban identity, music, art, and dance.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Intermediate  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 75

Advanced Spanish Language and Culture

This course offers an in-depth review and the study of the more problematic aspects of Spanish grammar for English speakers. After an overview of the subjunctive and past tense narration rules, the course proceeds with intense work in consolidating the multiple uses of the subjunctive in nominal, adjectival and adverbial clauses and practice in perfecting skills in past tense narration. Other grammatical points include a sequence of tenses, passive voice, conditional, prepositions and future perfect. All of the above is presented in cultural contexts and includes vocabulary expansion exercises and ample communicative activities. In addition, there will be seminars covering such topics as Cuban Identity, Popular Religious Practices, The Central Role of Music in Cuban Life, Environmental Issues.

Language of Instruction: Spanish    Language Level Required: Advanced  

Recommended US semester credits: 6   Contact Hours: 75

Highlights
  • Classes taught in Spanish
  • Round-trip airfare (Miami-Havana) included
Housing

Students in Havana will live with other API students and, in some cases, other international students in a local residencia. An API Residencia in Havana is a renovated home run by a host family, near the University of Havana campus. Residencias have common spaces where students can work and where API holds group activities. Breakfast and dinner are also provided as part of the program fee.

Api Havana Housing 8977120171 O
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Api Residencia In Havana 43215523911 O
Api Residencia In Havana 43215524331 O
Api Residencia In Havana 8968189669 O
Api Residencia In Havana 8968189719 O
Api Residencia In Havana 8969380082 O
Dates & Fees
Session Program Dates Program Cost Application Deadline Payment Deadline
Summer 1 Jun, 2020 - Jun, 2020 $4,650 Apr 1, 2020 Apr 10, 2020
Summer 1 and 2 Combined Jun, 2020 - Jul, 2020 $7,980 Apr 1, 2020 Apr 10, 2020
Summer 2 Jun, 2020 - Jul, 2020 $4,450 Apr 1, 2020 Apr 10, 2020
Summer 1 Jun 1, 2019 - Jun 29, 2019 $4,650 Apr 1, 2019 Apr 10, 2019
Summer 1 and 2 Combined Jun 1, 2019 - Jul 20, 2019 $7,980 Apr 1, 2019 Apr 10, 2019
Summer 2 Jun 29, 2019 - Jul 20, 2019 $4,450 Apr 1, 2019 Apr 10, 2019