Alandis Case Studies

State College High School's Cultural Immersion Journey in Cuba

Discover how State College Area High School from Pennsylvania ventured into the heart of Cuba, enhancing their understanding of its culture, history, and society.

State College Area High School volunteering at Akokán, doing a recycling workshop, Havana, Cuba

Trip Objectives & Challenges

Background Information

State College Area High School, located in State College, Pennsylvania, embarked on an enriching educational tour to Cuba, facilitated by Alandis Travel. This journey was designed to provide students with a profound understanding of Cuban culture, history, and society, while also fostering cultural awareness and appreciation through immersive experiences.

Trip Objectives

Challenges Faced

Despite clear objectives, the trip posed certain challenges:

State College Area High School Logo
Alandis RGB

Through thorough preparation and collaboration with local experts and guides, Alandis Travel meticulously crafted a program addressing these challenges head-on.

The outcome? An unforgettable educational adventure that went beyond traditional classroom borders.

Trip Program, Highlights & Impact

Description

Alandis Travel curated a meticulously planned itinerary for State College Area High School that provided a well-rounded experience encompassing educational lectures, cultural excursions, and immersive activities. The program was developed to ensure that students not only learned about Cuban culture and history but also experienced it firsthand.

Educational Themes

Cultural Integration

Homestays allowed students to immerse themselves in the local lifestyle, fostering stronger connections with their host families. They learned common Cuban phrases, enhancing their language skills and cultural understanding.

Historical Understanding

Lectures and site visits provided students with a comprehensive understanding of Cuban history, including the revolution and its impact on education and society.

Interpersonal Skills

Interactions with locals and participation in service learning projects like the Akokán recycling workshop enhanced students' communication and social skills.

Global Awareness

The tour broadened students' perspectives on global issues, fostering empathy towards diverse cultures and promoting a sense of global citizenry.

Key Activities & Highlights

Engaging Lectures by Cuban Experts

Students attended insightful lectures delivered by local experts on various topics such as Cuban history, education systems, religion, and socio-economic facets. These sessions provided an academic foundation beyond typical classroom scenarios.

Historic Site Explorations in Havana & Viñales

Immersive Cultural Experiences

Contribution through Community Projects

Volunteering at Akokán Recycling Workshop

Participating in service-learning projects like volunteering at Akokán in Havana contributed meaningfully enhancing community interaction skills alongside environmental communal stewardship responsibility understanding practically valuable broader perspectives essential global issues comprehens social responsivity matrix interspersed experiential understand conceptual developing consequently.

State College Area High School at Casa de África, Cuba
State College Area High School celebrating one of the students’ birthday at a Casa Particular, Havana, Cuba
State College Area High School volunteering at Akokán, doing a recycling workshop, Havana, Cuba
State College Area High School at Viñales’ Prehistory Mural, Cuba

Trip Takeaways & Benefits

Meeting Objectives & Overcoming Challenges

The Cuba program curated by Alandis Travel successfully met the objectives laid out by State College Area High School. Through a diverse range of educational lectures, cultural excursions, and immersive activities, students gained unprecedented insights into Cuban life.

Achievements of the Program

State College Area High School Logo
Alandis RGB

Quantifiable Results

Participant Feedback
0 %

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

0 %

rated their homestays as excellent due to comfort, cleanliness, and warm hospitality enhancing their overall experience.

Positive Outcomes & benefits of the Program

Cultural Appreciation

The salsa classes and classic car tours immersed students in Cuban traditions, boosting their appreciation for its vibrant culture.

Historical Understanding

Engaging in discussions about the Cuban Revolution and visiting historic sites like Old Havana deepened their knowledge of how historical events shape contemporary societies.

Interpersonal Skills

Students enhanced their communication skills through interactions with host families, locals, and through service-learning activities such as volunteering at Akokán.

Global Awareness

By living with host families and participating in daily activities within local communities, students developed a keener sense of empathy towards people from different cultural backgrounds.

Enhanced Safety & Well-being

Throughout the trip, students felt secure knowing they received attentive care from both their host families and Alandis Travel's team during any health issues or emergencies. This reassurance was crucial in mitigating anxiety, ensuring a supportive environment especially within unfamiliar surroundings.
More on Alandis Safety Protocol

Trip Reflections & Future Plans

Feedback from Teacher, Michelle Regel

Alandis was excellent to work with from start to finish. During the planning process, Laura Julia was very prompt and responsive. Luis Fidel was an amazing guide, and Giovanni our driver was excellent.

Student Testimonials

Positive experiences with guides, local engagements

“Luis Fidel made the experience incredible! He was extremely kind, patient, and knowledgeable.”

Host family interactions

“My host family was absolutely amazing and accommodating to all my needs.”

Activity Feedback

“All activities were punctual and interesting; people were friendly despite language barriers.”

Overall Reflections

We were pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Some of us would like to make this an annual or bi-annual event.

Future Plans

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

Request more information or an information session below!

livewhale 479b594e126f7ba6eba303e8d9f60a92 1676917880
UVA Logo
Formal Seal of Connecticut College New London CT USA.svg
62796e6c53c8a73e766a78e2
ic primary logo
Goucher College logo blue gray stacked
University of Maryland seal.svg
unionwordmarkuniongarnetrgbv2
1200px SMC Logo CMYK.svg
Anacapa Decal
EpiscopalLogo
en_USEN

Receive your brochure

Where should we send you the brochure?