Location

Havana, Vanales, Trinidad, Cuba

Program Description

Live with local families in casas particulares, learn to cook traditional Cuban dishes, dance salsa where it was born, and explore the vibrant culture that remains largely untouched by global tourism.

Step into the heart of Cuba with a study abroad experience that offers more than just travel—it’s a deep dive into one of the world’s most vibrant and resilient cultures. Based in Havana, this program invites you to live, learn, and engage in a country that has preserved its authenticity and charm, still largely untouched by mass tourism. With Cuba not yet fully open to the world, now is the time to experience it as it truly is.

In Havana, you’ll stay in casas particulares, locally owned home-stays that offer a warm and personal connection to Cuban daily life. From sharing meals with host families to joining in lively neighborhood conversations, you’ll gain firsthand insight into the rhythm and richness of Cuban culture. You’ll dance where salsa was born, explore historic streets, and take part in experiences that bring Cuban life vividly to the surface.

A highlight of the program is a hands-on Cuban cooking class, where you’ll learn traditional recipes and cooking techniques from local chefs. It’s a flavorful journey into the heart of Cuban cuisine, shaped by African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences.

The program also includes unforgettable excursions to Viñales, where you’ll visit tobacco farms in a lush, scenic valley, and to Trinidad, a beautifully preserved colonial town where history and music fill the streets.

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Director

Tony Kim | kim26jh@jmu.edu | Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management

Accommodations

Students will stay in casas particulares, privately owned Cuban homes that offer an authentic, immersive lodging experience. Living with local families provides a unique window into daily Cuban life, allowing for meaningful cultural exchange and a deeper connection to the community.
Students will be given a wifi card upon arrival.

All meals are included as group meals, from home stay, and a stipend.

Additional Items to Consider

A visa will be required, but the program director will support students in the Visa application process and with flight purchasing.

Prior to departure, there will be two in-person sessions to go over basic knowledge of Cuban culture.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0.

Open to students of all majors and class levels, including graduate students and non-JMU students.

Spanish language experience is not required.