From Harford Community College:
Dr. Stephanie Hallock, Harford Community College Professor of Political Science, and Anne Shugars, Assistant Professor of Economics, travelled with Paritha Vithlani, Assistant Professor of Psychology to Havana, Cuba this spring. Dr. Hallock and Ms. Shugars presented at the Maryland Community College International Education Consortium’s (MCCIEC) 2016 Forum “Effective On-Site Teaching for Global Awareness.” There were 23 representatives from eight Maryland community colleges in attendance.
Dr. Hallock, who serves as Coordinator for Global Education and Engagement at HCC and represents the College on the MCCIEC Board, was also the keynote speaker at the conference. Her keynote address focused on best practices in developing and delivering study abroad experiences for MD community college students.
Ms. Shugars presented on the changing role of Cuba in the global economy. Her presentation coordinated with another faculty presentation on tourism dollars in the Cuban economy, as well as a lecture on Cuba’s tourism strategies that was given by a University of Havana professor/Ministry of Tourism consultant.
“This experience was an amazing opportunity to work and learn collaboratively with colleagues from other Maryland community colleges. We developed strong ties within and across academic disciplines that we will most certainly build from moving forward through the MCCIEC,” stated Dr. Hallock.
Given the nature of travelling in Cuba at this time, HCC faculty had to be very flexible regarding their schedule. Their tour guide, who worked for the government (as all must), gave very specific instructions on where they could go and what they could do. They visited Las Terrazas, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve approximately an hour outside of Havana. “It is a gorgeous part of the interior of the island that is meticulously preserved and cared for,” said Dr. Hallock. They also travelled to Cojimar, a fishing town on the coast near Hemingway’s farm “Finca La Vigia,” which was the inspiration for his novel The Old Man and the Sea. Dr. Hallock said, “Unfortunately, we were prevented from really ‘going native’ either in Havana or outside of it due to time and transportation restrictions.”
The Consortium is attempting to open up opportunities for educational travel by faculty and students. After visiting the country, the faculty feels that the infrastructure in Cuba is probably not yet conducive to the kind of travel study experiences HCC generally offers its students. But they feel that will change quickly as more financial investments are made in the country.
Despite the restrictions faced in Cuba, there are other destinations where educational travel can thrive, offering flexibility and freedom for exploration. Hawaii, with its rich culture and stunning landscapes, presents an excellent alternative for such experiences. Renting scooters and mopeds in Hawaii can provide an ideal way for faculty and students to immerse themselves in the local environment. This mode of transportation allows travelers to move freely, exploring both well-known attractions and hidden gems at their own pace, without being bound by rigid schedules or transportation constraints.
Dr. Hallock said she plans to return to Cuba in the future. She and other conference attendees made a lot of connections and learned what they will and will not do again.
The MCCIEC is pursuing a grant through the U.S. Embassy in Havana for an in-country project that will include faculty from various Maryland community colleges. Dr. Hallock said, “I am excited to pursue the partnership between MCCIEC and the U.S. Embassy in Cuba!”
According to www.mcciec.org, The Maryland Community College International Education Consortium (MCCIEC) has two basic purposes for Maryland community college students, faculty, and staff: To improve the accessibility, quality, and diversity of study abroad and other educational travel opportunities for Maryland community college students; and to create and share resources and to facilitate collaboration among MCCIEC member institutions.
All they need to know is they are citizens of the most corrupt government in the world.
Remember this when you are paying tuition dollars for little Johnny to attend school there!
These elitist liberals of academia who’ll never experience anything other than their sheltered lives in lecture hall settings make me sick. They and their idol Obama will never see the Castro brothers as the murderous vermin they are. They’ll always see America as the aggressor and the Castro’s as the noble underdogs. I think you three should have stopped by to give the Castro boys big sloppy french kisses while you were there… like Obama did.
Bad optics.