Ecological Restoration in Cuba

This trip was a mind altering experience. From the thought disrupting seminars to the spectacular enthusiasm and warmth that CELEI showed us, I cannot recall a moment without at least one lifelong lesson to be learned. The program was fun, academically stimulating, and extremely motivational. I continuously think back to who I was under the incentive of the program and of CELEI's coordinators (Arturo, Toño, and Soka), and who I was during those two weeks is someone I strive to be permanently. The program included dissecting the concept of sustainability and working with locals to understand the term in the Cuban context. The educational bits were mixed into diverting excursions. These included: snorkeling, horseback-riding, live music, dancing, watching local sports, museums, and more. In our free time we were encouraged to explore the various locations. Our personal experiences were then analyzed in riveting group discussions. There were very few if any negative moments, and looking back I have found that all were learning experiences. So, really they were all positive. This program and trip has opened my mind in so many ways. I cannot recommend it enough.

I had a great experience with so much fun. It was my first time leaving the country and they made the process very easy. The people I met during this program were all so amazing, whether it's the local people there or the other students from all over the province, everybody was welcoming. Also the work that we did was good; it wasn't too much but it still felt like we had an impact on the local community. It was also great to learn about Cuban history. The two weeks I was in Cuba was something I will never forget!

I have been connected to people in a deep way, while being educated by experiencing different environments. The leaders, teachers, were engaging and very real with their own experiences. For me this made it easier to also open up, and really harness the entire adventure. I think this program is eye-opening in a way you can never unsee. You bring home a part of the people, environment, culture.
The program gave me a safe place to be able to learn, and really experience some of the issues we globally share. It was well balanced with learning history in the location of the history, global needs and education and time to explore on your "own"... we always travelled together, our group had a deep connection that truly is special.

At the end of April 2024 I had the most amazing opportunity to study in Cuba, and all I can say was it was the best experience of my life! We got to house with locals and talk with them about first hand experiences in their day to day live and every family I stayed with was so warm and welcoming. Our days consisted of going on adventures learning history, and science (going on walks through the foreststalking about trees and other plants, and animals), and helping the community. In the evenings we would meet up and discuss our day some were light hearted saying how amazing it was but some days were heavy and emotional but I always felt safe and after we had free time where we would meet up and hangout in smaller groups to continue talking about everything we had done and what was to come next.
Some of my favorite moments were leaving to salsa dance, getting a tour of a fish research facility, helping clean the beach with the local kids, hiking through the forest and to the top of a mountain to see the sun rise, learning the history of Cuba, talking with my amazing tour guides, there were so many fantastic moments on this trip, and if you get the chance to go I highly recommend it.