Over the course of the eight-day trip, the group learned about Cuban ration cards and the country’s food situation, politics, medicine, race relations, art/culture, education and more. One of the first individuals the group interviewed was Raul Rodríguez, a professor and researcher of the Centro de Estudios Hemisfericos y Sobre Estates at the University of Havana. Rodríguez has been a guest lecturer in Canadian and U.S. universities on topics related to Cuban Foreign Policy and U.S.-Cuba/Canadian-Cuba relations.

Chaperone on the trip, Mrs. Stephanie Abdallah Brodeur, IHA Class of 1999 and assistant principal of academics and technology, said the students’ discussion with Rodríguez was extremely compelling.

“He provided a frank prospective on the normalization of U.S.-Cuba relations,” she said. “What really hit home with our group were the areas in which he felt Cuba was unwilling or should not compromise in regards to normalizing the relationship.”

Another memorable experience was when the IHA students took a small boat along the Bay of Havana to the town of Regla. There, the group had the opportunity to attend a Pena, a cultural gathering with hip-hop music, poetry and dance, led by rap group, Obsesión. Alara Siegel, a junior at IHA, said it was inspiring to hear Obsesión spread different messages than most American rappers.

“They don't rap about degrading women, for example,” Alara said, “but instead they talk about social and racial issues and current events that are impacting their everyday lives.”
Next, the IHA students visited La Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina, a major international medical school and an integral part of the Cuban healthcare system. Mrs. Brodeur said they didn’t realize how many international students studied medicine in Cuba.

“Cuba is commended by the World Health Organization for its contributions through programs within that university,” she said. “They have made a commitment to helping other people in the region and they have truly prioritized creating partnerships to reach their ultimate goals of medical advancements.”

Another highlight was meeting two local artists, painter Eduardo “Choco” Roca and Lazaro Salsita, who makes art out of reclaimed trash. Salsita also created a community project that brought neighborhood children together to take art classes with him.

Cortney Muller, junior at IHA, said meeting Salsita and learning about his project was wonderful. “The little kids that he was working with were so amazing,” she said, “and it was very rewarding to meet them and see what they do there.”

Among other incredible places, the IHA students visited the University of Havana, the Centro Memorial Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ediciones Vigia, a store founded by a group of women in 1985 where they produce handmade journals and first edition books.

IHA senior, Nicole Christopoul, said her favorite part of the trip was speaking with local students in Havana. She enjoyed hearing their perspectives on life in Cuba and what they knew about America.

“It is so important for students to experience other cultures and learn about other environments beside their own,” Nicole said. “This experience truly changed my perspective of the world by showing me how people in other countries live and act.”

Sydney Wall, IHA junior, said she believes it’s imperative for schools to take trips like this to enable students to branch out and experience other cultures.

“Before I went, I was very naïve,” Sydney said. “I didn't know much about Cuba, and I had many preconceived notions about the people. Going there has opened my eyes and made me appreciate the little things much more. It was a life-changing experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”