Alandis Case Studies

Cultural Rhythms: Silver Spring’s Immersive Journey Through Cuba

Discover how the Silver Spring community group from Montgomery, Maryland, embarked on an educational journey to Cuba, deepening their understanding of its rich culture, history, and society.

 
Alandis' Silver Spring Program in Cuba

Trip Objectives & Challenges

Background Information

Dr. Reemberto Rodriguez, a professor at the University of Maryland, has organized multiple successful faculty-led custom programs with our company. Building on the success of these trips, he decided to create a unique educational experience for the Silver Spring community group. This program was designed to provide adult learners with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Cuba’s culture, heritage, and society, while also fostering cultural awareness and appreciation through immersive experiences.

Trip Objectives

Challenges Faced

Despite well-defined objectives, the program encountered certain challenges:

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Through meticulous planning and close collaboration with local experts and bilingual guides, Alandis Travel successfully overcame these challenges.

The result? A transformative educational journey that transcended the boundaries of a traditional learning environment.

 

Trip Program, Highlights & Impact

Description

Alandis Travel crafted a comprehensive 12-day itinerary that combined cultural excursions, immersive experiences, and educational lectures. The program emphasized the connection between Cuba’s past and present, providing participants with opportunities to engage with Cuban history, music, and society through hands-on experiences.

Educational Themes

Cultural Integration

Participants engaged with local Cuban culture through homestays with Cuban families, offering an immersive experience that encouraged language learning, daily cultural exchanges, and enhanced understanding of Cuban society.

Historical Understanding

The program’s educational lectures and guided tours explored Cuba’s historical context, particularly its music, art, and political evolution. A lecture on Cuban history through music enriched the group's understanding of how music reflects the island’s complex social and political changes.

Interpersonal Skills

Throughout the trip, participants were encouraged to interact with locals, both through structured activities like walking tours and more casual engagements during free time. These interactions promoted empathy and better communication across cultural divides.

Global Awareness

By engaging in Cuba’s vibrant social and cultural life, the group was able to broaden their global perspective, deepening their appreciation for different cultural practices and historical contexts.

Key Activities & Highlights

Engaging Lectures by Cuban Experts

The lecture on Cuban history through music provided the group with a deep understanding of how Cuba’s unique rhythms and sounds reflect the island’s political and social evolution.

Walking Tours in Havana, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos

Local experts guided the group through Cuba’s rich architectural and cultural landmarks, including Old Havana, the Finca Vigia (Hemingway Museum), and the Terry Theatre in Cienfuegos.

Immersive Cultural Experiences

The group experienced Cuba’s living culture through music and dance shows, artisan workshops, and visits to local communities like Terrazas and the eco-community.

Optional Faith Visits

A visit to Havana Cathedral or the Sephardi Museum added a spiritual and historical dimension to the trip.

Alandis' Silver Spring Program in Cuba
Alandis' Silver Spring Program in Cuba
Alandis' Silver Spring Program in Cuba

Trip Takeaways & Benefits

Meeting Objectives & Overcoming Challenges

The program met its educational goals by immersing participants in the cultural and historical fabric of Cuba. Through the careful selection of guides and local experts, and by offering authentic cultural experiences, Alandis Travel was able to bridge the language and cultural gaps, delivering a program that enriched the group’s understanding of Cuba in ways that textbooks alone cannot achieve.

Achievements of the Program

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Quantifiable Results

Participant Feedback
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rated the Cuban History through Music lecture as excellent, highlighting its engaging and insightful content.

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rated their cultural excursions as excellent, praising the unique and immersive experiences.

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rated Alandis Travel’s Havana staff as excellent for their professionalism and responsiveness.

Positive Outcomes & benefits of the Program

Cultural Sensitivity & Understanding

The program fostered cultural sensitivity and respect through direct engagement with Cuban communities, ensuring that participants learned to navigate the complexities of Cuban society with awareness and understanding.

Expanded Perspectives

By exploring Cuba’s history, art, and societal nuances, participants gained a broader global perspective, enhancing their understanding of the cultural and historical contexts that shape the nation.

Immersive Engagement

Participants experienced authentic Cuban culture through hands-on activities, such as music and dance workshops, enriching their understanding of daily life and heritage in Cuba.

Personal Growth

The trip encouraged participants to step out of their comfort zones, fostering adaptability, empathy, and deeper cross-cultural connections through meaningful interactions with locals.

Enhanced Safety & Well-being

The group received ongoing support from Alandis Travel’s dedicated on-site staff, ensuring their safety and well-being throughout the program. This was especially important for the group’s comfort and confidence in unfamiliar surroundings.
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Trip Reflections & Future Plans

The feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many noted that the trip not only exceeded their expectations but also deepened their passion for Cuba’s rich cultural heritage. Dr. Rodriguez, in particular, highlighted how the program allowed his group to engage with the material they had studied in an entirely new way, bringing the content to life.

Feedback from Professor Dr. Rodriguez:

‘Alandis are true professionals – and more. The staff is also extremely empathetic and authentically caring. From the ‘get-go’ preparation process to the minutia details of the on-site support, they simply rock. Always accessible, they were with us every step of the way – and experts in last minute inevitable changes. GRACIAS Alandis!’

Future Plans

Interested in providing your students with an immersive educational experience similar to State College Area High School's Cuba program?

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