Study abroad progam becomes reality
UWT becomes third U.S. university to offer a ten week study program in Cuba
Kevin Green
Issue date: 5/19/05 Section: News
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During the spring breaks of 2003 and 2004, UWT was able to offer students condensed one week-long study abroad excursions to Cuba, but the United States recently enacted tighter restrictions on international education programs extending to Cuba.
New U.S. regulations mandate that students receiving credit for a study abroad program in Cuba must study for a minimum of 10 weeks in the country.
"The number of universities going to Cuba has dropped dramatically as a result of the rules of the U.S. government," said Brian Coffey, the university's director of International Programs.
Faculty members and administrators hoping to maintain study abroad opportunities in Cuba were sent to the drawing board to work out the logistics of a 10-week program. In January, 18 representatives from university traveled to Cienfuegos to take part in a "University and Community" conference to discuss the relationship between the two cities and what must be done to continue to allow students the opportunity to study in Cuba.
After months of anticipation, the university finally received word in April that a 10-week program at the University of Cienfuegos would be permitted. The approval of the Cuban Ministry of Education was the final strand to the complicated web of red tape endured by both Cuban and American professors. UWT is only the third university in the U.S. to allow students the opportunity to study in Cuba.
"That's sort of exciting that we're one of three, but also disappointing that there are only three universities doing this," said Jack Nelson, vice chancellor for academic affairs. Nelson was the university's senior representative on the January trip to Cuba.
The university was granted an almost impossible to obtain license by the U.S. Department of Treasury that allows for a study abroad program in Cuba.