2.18.10

I feel like I should explain a bit about how my program here abroad functions. I am taking two courses at the Center for Marine Research, which is located in Havana- a 25-minute walk from my residence. There I will be attending several tutorials by different lecturers on Tropical Marine Ecology. My second class at the center will be a diving class. The rest of my classes have a strong International Relations/Social Sciences focus. I am taking a theory class called Third World Underdevelopment and Politics, and a History of US and Cuban Relations class. These classes are held in my neighborhood also, and offered by Presbyterian college in conjunction with the Center for Western Hemispheric studies (part of the University of Havana). Lastly I am taking Spanish class at the University of Havana in the department of foreign languages. Part of my credit hours includes program excursions and educational visits; for example our recent trip to Santa Clara. We’ve had several incredible excursions already: we’ve met with the local branch of government, representatives of the university system, and have been to several museums, among others.

Our program expedition after Spanish class today was tremendously interesting. After Spanish the group walked downtown to MINED, the Ministry of Education. We picked up the director and were driven to a primary school just outside of the city. We were told we had arrived a little early and were confused until a line of students in uniform walked into the lobby and proceeded to sing a song with lyrics by Martí. At its conclusion, a small seven year old in the front said “We welcome you, our visitors from the United States”. We were given a tour of the murals of Martí’s stories (mainly Edad de Oro), and were shown each classroom. The classrooms seemed like those out of an old picture book. There were neat lines of desks with a central chalk board. At one point the director of education asked the class to get out their alphabet books. Each pupil produced theirs neatly on their desk. She asked them what grade they were in. ‘First!’ a few of them called out. “eh, eh, one at a time!” she demanded. A few hands shot up. ‘First grade’ the girl replied quietly when called on.
One classroom welcomed us with the production of paper American flags and a chorus of ‘bienvenido’, ‘welcome’. The MOST bizarre part, however, was when we reached the third floor. There was a giant assembly taking place with, I’d gander, grades 1-6 present. We were escorted to the front to wild applause. We then watched a short show that included dancing, singing, clown theatre, and a demonstration of English in a short skit. When the performance was over, and the next round of applause died down Professor McKelvey, our program director, said a few words of thanks.
We proceeded to the computer lab, escorted down the middle of the clapping and cheering students. The computer lab had seven or so computers, but they were older than the computer my family has at home that hardly functions. The director of education told us about the impressive numbers of graduates who go to University. The education system here is very well developed and one of the main goals of the revolution has been to eliminate illiteracy, which they effectively have done. At the end, representatives of the school thoughtfully gave us each a copy of Edad de Oro (so much for buying a copy at the book fair) and dedicated them to us with inscriptions. They thanked us for coming and said that they hoped that the people of the United States and the people of Cuba would continue to share with each other, to understand each other, and to form connections to make meaningful change in the current dogmas of our time. It was a quite meaningful moment.