Arlene Gottfried posted on Center for Cuban Studies' (Facebook) Wall

"The Visual Arts Trip to Cuba was sensational ! Meeting so many of the contemporary, extremely talented artists who invited us to their homes and studios. La música, ambiente, la gente plus the best arroz y frijoles not to be missed. Muchas Gracias Sandra!!"

“I definitely think that my outlook on life has changed—for years I have been hearing stories about Cuba—both positive and negative—and it was incredible to actually be there and form my own perspective. I feel that I was able to see first-hand a system that was so different from the U.S.—people had such different value systems and outlooks which made Cuba’s system (political, social, etc.) possible.”

-Kate Philpott, Center for Cuban Studies Educators’ Group

“I feel like I have a much more objective view on Cuba and its system. I feel like my view as an educator is that I have responsibility to share the stories I’ve learned [in Cuba].”

-Gloria Rosario, Fordham University, Center for Cuban Studies Educators’ Group

“The most that has changed has been my preconceived notions about Cuba. It is necessary to travel there in order to understand the contradictory views of how people live within the system. It was life-changing to see the contrast between Cuba and the U.S., the excess and the scarcity. It made me value more the aspect of having a tight community within the school system, to somehow create and atmosphere where we can share some of the same values even within the dense schools of New York City.”

- Leticia Perelstein, Center for Cuban Studies Educators’ Group