Georgia State University ALumni Trip

March 14-18, 2020

ABOUT CUBA EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL

Cuba Educational Travel (CET) is a leader in educational and cultural travel to Cuba. CET unlocks the best of the island country by providing access to top academics, entrepreneurs, community programs, leading cultural figures and everyday Cubans. CET’s tailor-made programs enable travelers to experience Cuba’s vibrant culture and gain a deeper understanding of the island, while ensuring full compliance with all U.S. regulations.  

CET has been on the front lines of educational and cultural collaboration for a number of years. With wide ranging experience and contacts in educational exchange, CET has organized short term study abroad program for hundreds of American universities undergraduate and graduate programs spanning from international relations, business, economics, law, the arts and more. CET also specializes in coordinating academic conferences, research delegations and visits by University leadership teams. CET believes strongly in promoting multi-faceted exchanges and has organized dozens of academic exchanges for Cuban academics, students and entrepreneurs in the US. 

By leveraging this expertise and curated travel capabilities, Cuba Educational Travel offers a product that is unrivaled. Our strong presence on the island and in important academic and cultural circles allows us to provide unparalleled access and knowledge. This combined with the beauty and intrigue of Cuba and its people make for truly unforgettable experiences.

SUPPORT FOR THE CUBAN PEOPLE

The U.S. Government permits legal travel to Cuba under 12 different categories that range from professional meetings and sporting competitions to religious and humanitarian travel. One of the broadest and most common categories of travel is “Support for the Cuban People,” which requires travelers maintain a fulltime schedule of activities that involve meaningful interaction with individuals in Cuba and that those activities help Cubans become more independent. There are many ways in which travelers can easily fulfill this requirement while having an incredible experience in Cuba and being thoughtful, respectful and kind with the many Cubans you interact with during your travels.

Cuba Educational Travel (CET) has a long history of working with entrepreneurs, cultural groups, religious organizations, community projects and families and individuals that are involved in interesting and exciting initiatives in Cuba. Our trips have always been aimed at supporting the Cuba people through connecting them with travelers visiting the island, so that all parties can benefit from the friendships and professional relationships that result. Moreover, we believe strongly in supporting innovative and impactful businesses and social and cultural initiatives and make sure there are economic benefits to our partners on the island.

Your program will vary based on your specific interests, number of days on the island and other factors, but will include activities that directly benefit the Cuban people through conversations, knowledge sharing, follow-up initiatives, donations, normal business dealings and a variety of other actions. Excessive free time and recreational activities are not permitted, and travelers are required to work with CET and our local partners to maintain a full-time program that includes incredibly fun and interesting site visits, discussions, performances, tours, happy hours and meals that help our incredible neighbors on the island.

CUBA PROGRAM

Saturday, March 14

Arrival to Havana. (pending flight info.)

Meet your CET hosts at the exit of the terminal and transfer to hotel.

Check-in at the Hotel Parque Central (Old Tower), Trip Advisor’s selection as the best hotel in Havana. Located on the corner of Central Park and along Prado Boulevard, the hotel is just steps from the Capitol building, the Great Theatre and the famous Obispo Street.

Welcome dinner at La Habanera. This private restaurant is set in a house from 1930 restoring and preserving its hydraulic tile floors, French windows, marble staircase and outstanding elements of its elegant architecture. Prior to dinner, we will be joined by Cuban entrepreneur(s) for an overview of the private sector in Cuba and some of the challenges and opportunities start-ups face. The conversation will provide an interesting look into the Cuban economy and also give you a starting point for thinking about ways that your visit can help support Cuban entrepreneurs. *Guests may include:

Oniel Diaz, Managing Partner at Kreab Cuba and cofounder of AUGE a private advisory group on business management.

Lauren Fajardo, founder of Dador, a creative fashion, art and design project that offers services for fashion shoots, music videos, commercials, stage performances and film.

Liber Puente Baró, founder and CEO of Tostonet, tech support, software development and design.

Sunday, March 15

 Socio-economic discussion with urban planner Miguel Coyula, whose presentation will touch on housing, infrastructure, investment and restoration programs. It’s bound to leave you with a better understanding of why Havana looks the way it does today and possibilities moving forward.

***Following the discussion, the CET team will provide an overview of community projects working on development issues and social programs that visitors can support through volunteer work and/or donations, in-kind or monetary.

Walking tour of the Old City. Explore the historic center and learn about the history and architectural importance of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Venture to the side streets to meet and support local families and organizations (opportunity to donate supplies). Visits include:

Barrio Habana, a nonprofit organization that leads a community sports-arts program in Old Havana for children, at-risk youth and elderly people, while also contributing to preserve the heritage of the city. 

***Travelers will have the opportunity to make donations, including clothes, sporting equipment and school supplies.

Lunch at Doña Eutimia paladar. Famous for its ropa vieja and frozen mojitos, this cozy paladar made Newsweek Magazine’s top 100 restaurants in the world in 2012. Following the meal, we’ll be joined by the chef and owner to discuss entrepreneurship in Cuba, and the challenges and opportunities facing the business.

Return to hotel or explore Old Havana on your own and take part in activities to support the locals.

Rum and cigar tasting at Café Madrigal. A local expert will explain the qualities and traits of fine Cuban rum and cigars, pairing them together for the perfect match. Café Madrigal, owned and run by film director Rafael Rosales, is housed in a beautiful colonial mansion with the walls lined with captivating artwork.

Dinner at Tierra, Havana’s newest international dinning spot. Located inside a container in the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, the restaurant mirrors the eclectic crowd, serving dishes from around the world.

Following dinner, enjoy live music, art and dancing at La Fábrica de Arte Cubano. Rock star X Alfonso has turned this into meeting spot for a young, eclectic crowd of Cubans and foreigners.

Monday, March 16

Visit the Nostalgic Cars restoration garage. Owners Nidialys Acosta and Julio Alvarez have taken advantage of the recent economic opening to put together a fleet of over 20 pristine clasicos to provide professional service to their clientele. We will visit the garage to see how they restore these beauties from the 1950s.

Lunch at paladar Atelier. This restaurant is equally known for its atmosphere and exquisite cuisine. The lighting and textures of the house, which was home to a pre-revolutionary era senator, coupled with walls adorned in modern art, create a cozy, but modern setting.

Following the meal, we’ll enjoy coffee and dessert accompanied by Ricardo Torres, Economist from the Center for the Study of the Cuban Economy, for an overview of the Cuban economy, reforms, and growth outlook from one of the leading economic minds in Cuba.

Visits to small private businesses and meet Cuban entrepreneurs for a discussion about their startups.  Visits may include:

·  Tostonet, a software development company.

·  Rox, a signature silver jewelry store and community project run by female entrepreneur Rosas Vargas.

·  Capicua, a fashion shop run by two young Cuban designers: Sandra and Laila, who founded Wasasa (fanny packs), a stylist and practical product that is are taking Havana by storm.

·  Dador, Havana’s hottest new clothing brand with fresh fabrics and Cuban-made clothing.

·  Adriana Heredia, founder of Beyond Roots, a start-up sharing Afro-Cuban culture with the world. Adriana hosts various Afro-Cuban experiences in Havana to educate foreign visitors about this subject. She also organizes community workshops on the Afro aesthetic and designs and sells Afro-Cuban products from her new storefront in Old Havana.

Evening free

Tuesday, March 17

Visit a centuries-old mansion in Vedado neighborhood. Step inside this stately residence to discover what lies behind the crumbling facades of Havana’s impressive mansions. Josie, who has lived in the house for over 60 years, will show us around and explain its rich history. Discussion with entrepreneur Oscar Torres about real estate market in Cuba.

Tour of agricultural market and food ration store to better understand purchasing power and consumption.

Lunch at Paladar Nazdarovie, a retro-Soviet restaurant in Havana and makes a strong case for why there should be more of them in the Cuban capital. We will have a discussion with Gregory Biniowski, an international lawyer and businessman with experience operating in Cuba.   

Return to hotel or explore Havana on your own and take part in activities to support the locals.

Discussion and live music performance by La Reyna y Real, a female hip hop/jazz duo. The group’s music focuses on breaking down stereotypes in Cuban society, including machismo, healthy relationships, gender relations and race. They will share info about their interesting musical journey and insight into the challenges and opportunities young Cubans face. At their home in Luyano

Farewell dinner at Grados, a private restaurant defender of the traditional Cuban cuisine and member of the slow food movement. Meet its owner and chef Raulito Bazuk, an example of Cuba’s young, up and coming entrepreneurial class of creative professionals pursuing their dream. Trained in Uruguay and back working out of his mother’s home, Raulito’s cooking and presence transforms every meal.

Wednesday, March 18

Check-out and depart for the airport (2 ½ hours before your flight departs) or contact CET to discuss options for extending your trip to see another part of the island.

*The password to access the page is “cuba”