Postcard from Cuba

University of Calgary students Caileen Bennett (contemporary dance major) and Jennifer Watson (psychology major) have just returned from their group study program in Cuba. “Studying abroad was perfect because it allowed me to travel while still working on my degree,” says Bennett. Adds Watson: “Travelling with the university provides a more in-depth, and ‘real’ experience in a country, versus the usual tourist holiday.” This is their postcard home.

Why study in Cuba?

The pair says that Cuba is hot, fascinating and so rich in culture. It is intriguing with its climate, beaches, communist political system and cultural emphasis on dance. Cubans are very friendly with a curiosity on our views of socialism and Cuba in general. Its people are resilient, able to adapt and improvise to make do with the limited available resources. It was interesting to see how Cuba has developed since colonization, through unique situations and experiences resulting in such a different development of culture, religion and overall direction and structure of the country.

Why go on a Spring/Summer Group Study Program?

“Dance is my passion in life.” says Bennett. “I’ve always dreamed of travelling the world dancing and this program has been the perfect stepping stone to allow me to begin studying dance on an international level.” The group study program: Revolution, Fiesta and the Constancy of Rumba in Cuba interested us because of its interdisciplinary approach, including a full course in dance and a half course in cultural anthropology, showing us how interwoven dance and culture are. This pairing was so important because both dance and music play such an important role in the daily life of the Cuban people, directly reflecting the history and culture of Cuba. We spent hours learning Afrocuban and Rumba dance, a style unfamiliar to us prior to the trip. For Watson, her love of dance and travel made this program a natural fit.

Did you have any interesting cultural experiences?

Bennett: One of my favorite nights out was to see the 45th anniversary gala of Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba at the beautiful but slightly rundown Great Theatre of Havana. The curved marbled stairway and the balconies’ intricate engravings stole the attention in the theatre. The red velvet chairs made it look like a typical theatre from those old Broadway movies, and as we sat down and the armrest broke off, we became aware that the theatre hadn’t seen many renovations since its construction in 1910.

The theatre etiquette is so different from that of North America. If someone needed to leave, they would just get up and leave, or if they had something to say, they would say it, no apology necessary. Despite all this, the dancing was spectacular. You could see the love and joy in their faces from the six-year-olds doing ballet and martial arts, to the 60-year-olds dancing Rumba. It was obvious that movement was not just for the sake of movement; it was full of meaning and importance.

Watson: One cultural difference I discovered, interestingly enough, was the burial practices of the country. We visited the Necropolis Colon (the Columbus Cemetery), also referred to as the city of the dead, where 80 percent of Havana’s residents are buried. Cubans who have passed away only remain buried for three years, after which their bones are moved into a smaller sarcophagus, to allow for another deceased person to take their place. To say the least, it is a very efficient method of burial.

Something that I found very trying during our stay was the notion of “Cuban time” versus “Canadian time.” In Cuba, things happen when they happen, events and schedules are delayed and adjusted on a daily, even hourly basis, and more often than not, take much more time to achieve. Lunch or dinner in Cuba can be expected to last well over an hour and if you ask to have some food for take-out, the locals look at you like you are crazy.

Tell us about your research.

Watson: I studied the overall architectural structure of both rural and urban areas, as well as the ability of the country to maintain and restore its historical colonial buildings. It was so interesting to discover how the Cuban government is able to create UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Old Havana and Cienfeugos, investing huge amounts of money into their restoration and maintenance, and yet most of the Cuban population lives in poorly constructed and maintained buildings, with limited accommodations and space.

I also researched how dance forms such as Rumba, Salsa and Yoruba reflected the role of masculinity in Cuban culture. In Cuba, the ability of a man to properly lead a woman in dance is seen as a direct gauge of his masculinity, which does not correspond to the mainstream idea of masculinity in Canada.

How have you personally grown from this experience?

Watson: It was so intriguing to learn a form of dance that is so integrated into the surrounding culture and religion. It became a new challenge to find the best way of picking up the movement and gaining the muscle memory required. It was wonderful to learn from some of the most talented people in the field, even if we were unable to communicate verbally with them. This experience made me very appreciative of the quality of life I have in Canada, and the opportunities available to me on a daily basis. It has opened my eyes to how different everyday life can be for people around the world.

Bennett: Given my dance training to date and my fascination with artistic culture and traditions from around the world, the program in Cuba has greatly advanced the development of my dance career and training. I’ve done a lot of travelling for personal reasons, but this was the first time that my travelling was linked to something academic. I was forced to be on top of my journaling to constantly be aware of everything around me.

Future plans for these ladies?

Having been inspired by this experience, we may see Bennett dance professionally in a company or as a freelance artist to beats from all over the world. As a future graduate of psychology, Watson has a desire to pursue nutrition or physiotherapy and to visit Cuba one more time before the political arena potentially changes this unique country.

For more information on study abroad programs please visit the Centre for International Students and Study Abroad website (www.ucalgary.ca/cissa/). This postcard was supplied by the International Centre.