Office of International Education and Development

Program Dates: June 9, 2023 - June 21, 2023

Immerse yourself in Cuba. Learn how to dance and eat like a Cuban. Along the way, understand Cuba's journey from Spanish colony to Marxist-Leninist state and the role of dance in Cuban ritual, art and social connections.  And meet Cubans - in schools, restaurants, workplaces, even in their homes. Students will attain an advanced understanding of Cuban culture, most notably dance and music, as well as Cuban history and politics.

Locations

Havana is the capital and largest city of Cuba. It is a city full of oppositions and contradictions. With a truly fascinating history, you can find museums, restoration projects, magnificent artistic and cultural heritage icons. Paintings, murals, novels, poetry, puntos cubanos, rumbas, the wonderul feeling in the fun Havana streets and the colorful murals will delight your senses. The picturesque Viñales, located within the Parque Nacional de Viñales, is for many one of the most fascinating places in all of Cuba. It has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and offers an atmosphere that is welcoming, peaceful, and ideal. (Source: Trip Cuba)

Academics

Program participants will choose from the courses below and must enroll in a total of 6 credit hours.

Faculty Leaders

Dr. Joseph Gonzalez
Associate Professor of Culture, Gender, and Global Studies
Honors College
gonzalezjj@appstate.edu

Biography
Dr. Joseph Gonzalez has been a scholar of the United States-Cuban relationship since 1996, when he first went to Cuba to begin researching his doctoral dissertation--and fell in love with Cuba's past and present. In the years since, he has visited Cuba an average of once per year, sometimes to lecture, sometimes to research, and sometimes with Appalachian State students, who never fail to help him appreciate the beauty of Cuba even more. Along with his colleague and friend Professor Emily Daughtridge, of the Department of Theater and Dance, he has co-led a short-term study abroad programs to Cuba in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. This year will mark their fifth collaboration. 

Ms. Emily Daughtridge
Professor
Department of Theatre and Dance
daughtridgee@appstate.edu

Biography
Prof. Emily Daughtridge’s professional travel has included Cuba, India, Taiwan and Poland. Along with colleague Dr. Joe Gonzalez, she has led 5 short-term study-abroad programs to Cuba. Additionally, she has led students on trips to New York City and various locations in the U.S. for field conferences.  Her scholarship/creative activity is interested in cross-cultural approaches to: movement practices, dance pedagogy, creative processes and artist’s and cultural sustainability. Inherently, her research in Cuba and India explores cultural exchange and global dynamics. Her rotating teaching load includes Modern Dance technique, Yoga, Composition & Improvisation, Choreography, Collaborative Process, Dance History, World Dance and Latin dance.

Program Cost: $3,189

Program cost includes airfare, most meals, lodging, in-country transportation. 

Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted. Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. 

Appalachian reserves the right to cancel or alter the program format or to change costs in case of conditions beyond the university's control.  Further details about Appalachian's withdrawal/cancellation policy can be found at this link.

Application Process

1. In order to apply for this program, you will need to contact one of the program leaders and provide your Banner ID and email address. Program leaders may request additional information or a meeting to discuss the details of the program and your interest.
2. When permission to apply for the program is granted, you will receive an email from the faculty leader with a link to the application and further instructions.
3. Your application will be considered complete when you have submitted it and paid the $300 deposit fee. The fee cannot be paid until it appears on your student account. Please note that it may take 2–3 business days for it to post to your account. You will receive an email with Instructions for paying the deposit fee. Instructions can also be found in the application.