Summer in Cuba FAQs: What you need to know

Thinking about spending your summer in Cuba? We know you might have questions, so we’ve put together these FAQs to help you navigate the application process and prepare for the experience. We’ve included some of the inquiries that students have raised and topics that have not been covered in the info session. Be sure to check it out before submitting your application—deadlines for Summer in Latin America programs are due on Wednesday, February 5! Check out the Summer in Cuba page for details and applications.

  

I’m a freshman and I don’t have a GPA. Can I still submit my application? 

If you are a freshman who does not yet have a formal GPA, you are welcome to submit your application. We may follow up with you in the spring semester, once grades and transcripts have been updated, to make sure our minimum GPA eligibility is met. 

 

I’m not a Tulane student. Am I eligible to apply? 

Yes, non-Tulane undergraduate students are eligible to apply as long as they are degree-seeking students at another accredited university. 

 

Who should I ask to write my letter of recommendation? 

When choosing a recommender for the Summer in Cuba program, we suggest reaching out to a Spanish language instructor who is familiar with your language level. If you have not taken any Spanish-language courses at Tulane, the recommender should be someone who knows your work well and can comment on your language experience. Students with advanced or heritage Spanish skills should also contact sclassum@tulane.edu to request a language evaluation. 

 

When do I have to pay for the program? Can I get a refund if I don't end up going? 

Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable commitment deposit of $500.00 by the commitment deadline indicated in their acceptance letter. This deposit will be applied toward the total program fee when charges are billed to student accounts in late Spring. If an admitted student decides to withdraw from the program, they are responsible for charges as outlined in the Refund and Cancelation Policy outlined on the program webpage. 

If the Stone Center chooses to cancel the program for any reason prior to departure, applicants will receive a full refund of any charges paid. 

 

Is there funding available? When will I find out? 

Yes. The Summer in Cuba program offers two partial scholarships to cover one-half the total program cost. Students will have the opportunity to opt-in to consideration as part of the program application process. There is no additional application required. They will be notified of their award prior to the commitment deadline. 

 

Does the program cost cover airfare? How do I book my ticket to Cuba? 

The cost of airfare is not included in the program fees. Students are responsible for booking round-trip flights to Havana. They may book with any carrier but must adhere to the program start and end dates. Further instructions with precise arrival and departure windows will be circulated in acceptance and orientation materials. If students cannot arrive during these windows, they should communicate with program administrators before they book their flights. Please note that flights to Cuba cannot be booked through World Travel Services. 

 

Can I stay after the program end date? 

No, students are not permitted to stay after the program end date. Due to the type of travel visa, as well as U.S.-Cuban relations, staying beyond the program dates is unfortunately not possible at this time. For more information, please contact the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C. 

 

I have dietary restrictions. Will the program be able to accommodate them? 

Students will have an opportunity to inform us of any dietary restrictions during the pre-orientation process. It is up to the student to communicate with us to ensure that we are able to accommodate Them. 

 

How much money should I budget in addition to the program costs? 

We recommend that you budget between $1000-1200 in addition to the program cost to cover additional expenses while in Cuba. U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. You should bring U.S. dollars or Euros to Cuba and exchange them for Cuban Pesos (CUP) at authorized banks, CADECA offices, airports or hotels. Travelers should confirm alternative payment options before traveling, as policies concerning the use of U.S. dollars in Cuba are subject to change. The Cuban government requires that travelers declare cash amounts over the equivalent of 5,000 USD. 

When departing Cuba, we advise U.S. travelers to spend or exchange CUP to a foreign currency well before reaching airport security checkpoints. Currency exchange houses in the departure area at airports are currently closed and Cuban pesos are not internationally convertible outside of Cuba. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s website. 

 

What items should I pack for Cuba? 

An extensive packing list will be provided in students’ preorientation manual. Students should pack items that they feel they may need for one month away. We recommend bringing clothes you will be comfortable wearing in the heat. Other recommended items include: a towel, an umbrella, sunscreen, insect repellant, a sweater for spaces with air conditioning, a photocopy of your passport, a small flashlight for blackouts and dark streets, personal hygiene products, packs of tissue to use in public bathrooms for toilet paper, a reusable water bottle, contact lenses and contact lens solution or an extra pair of glasses, etc. 

 

Can I travel with my medications? 

Many medications are unavailable in Cuba, so travelers should plan to bring any prescribed medicines and over-the-counter remedies they may want. Mediations should be transported in their original containers and in amounts commensurate with personal use. Tulane University recommends that students bring an additional two-week supply of prescribed medications in case of travel delays. All personal items are subject to scrutiny by customs officials, so a copy of a prescription and a letter from a prescribing physician explaining the need for prescription drugs may facilitate entry. 

Tulane’s Health Center also offers travel health services to students preparing for international travel. Services may include international travel consultations, country-specific information, immunizations, and travel prescriptions. Please contact the travel clinic for more information. 

For more information about updated medication regulations in Cuba, please see the U.S. Embassy in Cuba’s website. 

 

Will I be able to use my phone in Cuba? Will we have access to the internet? 

Students will be required to carry a cell phone with calling and messaging capability at all times. To avoid high roaming fees, we strongly encourage you to purchase a SIM or burner phone upon arrival. Program staff can assist. 

That said, U.S. mobile phones are capable of roaming in Cuba if the service provider has an international roaming agreements with ETECSA, Cuba's state-owned telecommunications provider will work in Cuba. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile generally have roaming agreements with ETECSA. You can also use your U.S. mobile phone in Cuba by renting a SIM card. If you have an unlocked GSM-capable phone, you can rent a SIM card from Cubacel, ETECSA's mobile service provider. For more information, please visit Telecommunications FAQs for Travelers to Cuba. 

 

What opportunities will we have to get out into the community? (beyond the class activities and guest speakers) 

As we are working to plan our program itinerary, we are hoping to provide students with various excursions and informal activities that will allow them to interact and create relationships with members of the community.