In the Sarah Lawrence College in Havana program, I believe that my passionate studies of Cuban history, culture, and politics will flourish as I take part in its sociologically-oriented experiential learning curriculum. After researching my study abroad options, I realize that the program's practical and theoretical emphases on humanities and social sciences will best strengthen my interdisciplinary academic career. Both the courses and real-world experiences I take will build upon and expand my knowledge and understanding of Cuba. Specifically, I wish to take demographic research, advanced Spanish, US-Cuban Immigration and Cuban Economy courses with Sarah Lawrence in Havana that address social issues and further my knowledge of the contemporary
…show more content…
For instance, I have learned in these courses that a few privileged Cubans with access to private enterprise in tourism and other industries have become relatively wealthy while most Cubans struggle to live on twenty dollars or less a month. While studying at home, I speculate that, for example, the present-day marginalization of Cubans of color echoes the Cuban slave state of colonial times. Given the accounts and statistics I can access, I understand that racial disparities exist in the present-day as many Cubans of color struggle to eat, find work, and maintain homes while Cuban entrepreneurs, most of whom are white, buy new cars, renovate their homes, and thrive. However, as an American student who has not yet lived on the island, I do not know what such socio-economic inequalities look like in real life. Thus, I am hoping that my participation in socio-economic fieldwork and demographic research coursework with Sarah Lawrence in Havana will allow me to promote social justice in present-day Cuba and gain a better understanding of the social problems I study. In particular, I look forward to interning with the Cuban Workers' Union and visiting schools, co-operative farms and communities invested in sustainable tourism development to do my part and contribute to the social well-being of my ancestral
For instance, I have learned in these courses that a few privileged Cubans with access to private enterprise in tourism and other industries have become relatively wealthy while most Cubans struggle to live on twenty dollars or less a month. While studying at home, I speculate that, for example, the present-day marginalization of Cubans of color echoes the Cuban slave state of colonial times. Given the accounts and statistics I can access, I understand that racial disparities exist in the present-day as many Cubans of color struggle to eat, find work, and maintain homes while Cuban entrepreneurs, most of whom are white, buy new cars, renovate their homes, and thrive. However, as an American student who has not yet lived on the island, I do not know what such socio-economic inequalities look like in real life. Thus, I am hoping that my participation in socio-economic fieldwork and demographic research coursework with Sarah Lawrence in Havana will allow me to promote social justice in present-day Cuba and gain a better understanding of the social problems I study. In particular, I look forward to interning with the Cuban Workers' Union and visiting schools, co-operative farms and communities invested in sustainable tourism development to do my part and contribute to the social well-being of my ancestral