Miami & Cuba

First time travel with REC

From Havana, Cuba to Miami, USA. We start in the 60s and move towards the future. Explore real socialism and meet real capitalism. Feel the rhythm of the Cuban way of life and the wonderful American showtime.

All this and much more you can find, explore and experience in two of the most beautiful, vibrant, crazy, natural, cultural, historical, unique and amazing metropolises in the world. They are vastly different and yet have much in common.

Jump into our time machine and have a totally unique journey with lots of experiences you won't get near in the future. Te veo en Havanna - see you in Miami.

We want to get closer to the American culture and lifestyle, and therefore we will be in contact with the students of a high school, meet the indigenous people of Florida, the Seminole Indians, Hispanic immigrants in Little Havana. We will discover typical American metropolitan architecture combined with Art Deco and artificial islands, eat "real" burgers and taste Southern food, experience a road trip on the highway towards Key West - where we are in Ernest Hemmingway's footsteps - and mingle with Americans in their everyday life.

Cuba has lived largely apart from the rest of the world since 1959. Therefore, the country is a kind of time warp, which makes it well worth a visit. The culture is quite distinctive and unique, and Cuban dance and music in particular are second to none. African, Spanish and American cultures have created a dynamic mix, with salsa in particular becoming known and loved on dance floors around the world.

The trip

The trip to Cuba will be an opportunity to shape both the subject and the trip itself. In the course we will work on the history of the country, we will deal with life as a young person in Cuba, try our hand at salsa dancing and have Spanish lessons. In addition, we will prepare the different visits to Cuba. For most of the visit, we will stay in Havana, a gem that is a UN World Heritage Site. We will visit a school and a youth club focusing on music and dance. We will also have dance lessons with a local instructor; however, there will be a choice of on and off so that those who are keen on dancing can try a bit more, while others can focus on the history of Cuba, for example. In this context, we are planning a walking tour in the footsteps of Castro. We'll also visit Viñales, a scenic area where farmers grow tobacco for a living. We will visit a local tobacco farmer and perhaps explore the area on horseback.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Despite the common Cuban having a low standard of living, the education level in Cuba is high. Education is free and there is a constant focus on providing everyone with the possibility to acquire knowledge. Therefore we will be working with UN sustainability goal no. 4, quality education - everyone must have the same access to quality education and lifelong learning. This goal is very interesting to investigate in a country with a communist government: Does the strategy actually work? What do the young Cubans think? We will also be working with goal no. 10 - reduced inequalities - we must reduce inequalities in and between countries. This goal is a foundational element of the communist ideology, but how is the economic inequality in Cuba actually looking and what consequences has the american trade embargo had in relation to the economic situation in Cuba and its status worldwide.

In addition, the SDGs Life in Water and Life on Land will be central to the planning of the trip's activities.

Suggestions for activities and excursions

• Excursion to "Old Havana"
• Visit school in Havana
• Homestays with students from the international school in Havana
• Dance and music experiences
• Trip to Trinidad or Viñales
• Horseback riding in the mountains
• UN World Heritage sights
• Visit a cigar factory
• Visits that are adjusted according to the students' projects
• 1 or 2 days at Biotech Academy Highschool in Miami zoo
• Seminole reserve Everglades
• Little Havanna
• 2 days roadtrip to Key West
• The Hemingway museum
• Citywalk Downtown, Miami Beach, Art Deco South beach, the harbour
• Guided activities with rangers in Biscayne National Park (kayaking, snorkling, presentations)
• Swamptour Everglades, airboat ride, alligator wrestling
• Shark tour, bird and dolphin watching in Key West
• BBQ evenings in the camp
• Bowling evening
• Beachvolley matches
• Golf crash course
• Miami Heat NBA Basketball match with 25.000 fans

Safety

We are often on the water - students should have passed our swimming test.

The Foreign Ministry's travel advisory reads, in part, "General security in Cuba is relatively good and stable, however, the level of acquisitive crime is extensive." We have been to the country twice now and have had no problems, including theft. You can't drink the water in Cuba.

Vaccinations

Diphtheria, Tetanus and Hepatitis A.

Teachers

Andreas Latz al@ranumefterskole.dk	Mette Støttrup Jensen ms@ranumefterskole.dk

Terms and economy

Self-payment app. 11.000 DKK.

+ possibly a collective cancellation insurance - 350 DKK. Visa included, if you have a danish passport.

Pocket money: App. 1.000 DKK recommended