Arcadia University has recently announced the establishment of the Arcadia in Cuba study abroad program in addition to the first Global Faculty Development Workshop in academic collaboration with the prestigious University of Havana.

This new relationship has enabled the College of Global Studies at Arcadia University and Arcadia’s Office of International Affairs to launch new study abroad, faculty development and applied research programs in Cuba.

“The strong academic relationship now in place between Arcadia University and the University of Havana opens a pathway for many great learning opportunities for U.S. students and faculty. We thank our trustees, faculty, staff and alumni who have visited Cuba and worked with professors, business and government leaders over several years to build what we know will be a strong and enduring bridge to greater knowledge and a more global perspective for our learning communities,” said President Carl (Tobey) Oxholm III.

Founded in 1728, the University of Havana is Cuba’s premier institution of higher education with 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students and 15 major departments in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. It is the largest and most renowned university in Cuba, and it offers some of the best learning opportunities to U.S. faculty and students.

The College of Global Studies has developed an undergraduate study abroad program in Havana, commencing spring 2013, offering U.S. students the opportunity to learn alongside Cuban students.

“We can now offer students the opportunity to explore the cultural and intellectual life of Cuba, while learning about the socio-political differences between our two countries in a distinctive, academic environment,” said Nicolette Christensen, vice president for the College of Global Studies at Arcadia University.

The program will be taught in Spanish, with U.S. students choosing courses from the whole catalogue of courses offered by University of Havana, in addition to a Spanish language class and the core course, Cuban-American Relations: Past and Present, which is taught by the deputy director of the Center for Hemispheric and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Havana.

“We are broadening and deepening our scope of studies related not only to U.S.–Cuba relations but also Latin America and the Caribbean. The learning opportunities are many, both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Dennis Dutschke, founding academic dean of the College of Global Studies.