Programs Abroad

CUBA – Spanish Course in Santiago de Cuba

	Project: Spanish Course Country: Cuba Location: Santiago de Cuba Minimum Stay: 2 weeks Start dates: All year round Price: 2 weeks, from 470 USD
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School

The well-trained native staff consists of university certified Spanish language teachers. They cooperate as well with our language institutions in the cities of Havana and Trinidad and enjoy an excellent reputation for giving high quality Spanish lessons. You will not only be taught the Spanish language but will also get a deep insight into the lively and colorful culture of this beautiful country. Therefore, classes take place either in the cultural center in Santiago de Cuba, at the teacher’s or at your host family’s home. The cultural centers are public institutions where cultural activities like native dance classes take place. At the local meeting point, which is located in a residential area of the district Reparto Sueño, you will usually find a contact person in case you have any questions or would like to get further information.Santiago de Cuba is a city full of history, a perfect location to study Spanish and at the same time learn more about Cuba's interesting past. Learning Spanish in Santiago de Cuba means living a real Cuban life experience.

Course

Learning Spanish abroad in Cuba, means studying a language in a country full of life, tradition and history and last bus not least with a very special atmosphere. You will notice the Cuban people to be very friendly and welcoming for visitors from other countries. This will give you the opportunity to practice the Spanish that you have learned during your language course in every day life. To determine your current Spanish skills and to make sure your knowledge meets the corresponding class level, you are going to take a brief Spanish test before starting the lessons the first day at school.

Our language program in Santiago de Cuba offers three different types of class options. You can book group courses, intensive courses or private lessons. New courses start every Monday and classes are suitable from beginner to superior. On academic lesson lasts 50 minutes.

Mini Groups: Mini group classes are four daily classes. There is only a maximum of three people per class. Classes are either in the morning starting at 08.30 or in the afternoon depending on your level of Spanish. This course is the most popular with our students. The language course is designed to improve the four main language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please note that we reserve the right to change a mini group course into a one-on-one tuition if there is no other student at the same level. If this happens, there will be a reduction of class hours by approximately 25 %.

Mini Group Special: Our mini group - special course exists of four daily classes with additional one or two hours of private tuition with the teacher. There is only a maximum of three people per class. Classes are either in the morning starting at 08.30 or in the afternoon depending on your level of Spanish. This course is designed to be the best method to learn Spanish quickly as you will have lessons with fellow students and then a private one-on-one lesson to go over any problems you have. The language course will improve the four main language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Sometimes you will alternate teachers to expose yourself to different accents and improve your understanding.

One-on-one: One-on-one tuition is a choice of four, five or six daily classes. Classes are either in the morning starting at 08.30 or in the afternoon. The course is designed to be adaptable to any problems you have and tailor made for what you want to learn. When you arrive you will sit with the teacher and discuss your requirements and goals. Sometimes you will alternate teachers to expose yourself to different accents and improve your understanding.

Spanish and dance course: Learning a language is not only about sitting in the classroom. It is about getting out there, finding out about the culture, exploring and getting to know the real Cuban experience. Our language and dance course does exactly that as you will take language classes in the morning and then in the afternoons you will be left free to indulge and experience Cuban dance. Dance lessons combine the different rhythms known as Mambo, Son, and Cha Cha Cha which have all contributed to Salsa. Learn the basic Cuban salsa body movements in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Dance lessons are always taught for one hour at a local home.

Non-academic activities:
The language school arranges a number of activities for you to explore the real Cuban culture. The school organizes regular excursions to one of the rum museums or tobacco factories and guided city tours. There are possibilities to go horse riding and go diving. You can also play tennis and football. There are also different music and dance workshops available in the afternoon. Further interesting excursions are day trips to Santa Maria, to a mango farm, Bacanao Parque to relax at a lagoon or walk to Gran Piedra to see the spectacular views. Remember, Cuba is a country of splendid scenery, marvellous historical cities and that feeling of difference.

Accommodation

Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable as possible and to make you part of the Cuban culture. Staying with local host families gives you the opportunity to experience the Cuban family life and customs. You will have your own room. Breakfast and dinner are included and served by the host family. You will receive a fresh and delightful breakfast in the morning along with a traditional Cuban dinner for the evening. The families live in a quiet and residential area of the district Reparto Sueño in Santiago de Cuba. All rooms are air-conditioned or have a fan. Home stays are in walking distance to the classrooms. The well-known Céspedes Park, also known as the heart of Santiago, is only a few walking minutes away. The park invites for long walks, meeting with friends or just to relax and listen to the beautiful rhythms coming from the nearby hotel Casa Grande. Because of the mentality and the friendliness of the Cubans, you will feel like an additional family member immediately. And even more importantly, staying with a host family is the best way to integrate you into the real Cuban culture and explore all the wonders of this delightful island.

Volunteering

Unfortunately there are not volunteer positions available in Santiago de Cuba. Please see our volunteer opportunities in Havana or check out other countries.

Prices

in USD	Mini Group (20hrs)	Mini Group Special (30hrs)	One-on-one (20hrs)	One-on-one (30hrs)	Dance course (5hrs)	Homestay, half board
2 weeks	470.-	550.-	520.-	680.-	200.-	555-
Additional week	130.-	170.-	160.-	240.-	100.-	300.-

Enrolment fee 90 USD.

Additional service	in USD
Airport pick-up	30.-

What’s included:

Accommodation
Orientation kit
Local support
24h-Emergency Number
Teaching material
Evaluation test
Activity calendar
Language Certificate
Quality Language Course

What’s not included:

Flight
Medical Insurance
Visa (if necesary)
Personal expenses

Location

The city of Santiago the Cuba, located in the south east of

Cuba

, is the second largest city of the country and has approximately 0.5 million inhabitants. It is the most important sea port of Cuba. Due to its geographic location and the influence of the Haitian, Africans and Spanish, Santiago de Cuba is considered to be the city with the most Caribbean charm. Art and music are two very important cultural features because Santiago de Cuba was home to a lot of artists that have become very popular. The city is also very rich in historical architecture as it has been an important port for almost five centuries and claims to be the cradle of the Revolution. The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains and is blessed with a true tropical Caribbean climate and spirit. Santiago de Cuba signifies a special place in history, identifying Spanish colonialism while relishing in the real warm hearted Cuban culture. If you are interested in history and culture you will absolutely fall in love with this beautiful corner of the country. There are approximately 15 museums in the city. The Bacardi Museum exposes the most important painting gallery of Cuba including paintings dated back two centuries and mummies of different origins. Bordering with the Caribbean Sea and the Sierra Maestra Mountains,

Cuba

offers a wide variety of outdoor activities like trekking and diving. People are friendly and you will find it very easy to make local friends and practice Spanish.

Country information Cuba

Eternal summers, nostalgic bays, endless white sandy beaches, turquoise colored oceans, salsa rhythms and memories of Buena Vista Social Club – welcome to the beautiful island of Cuba!

Located between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Cuba is the largest insular state of the Greater Antilles encompassing 43,000 square miles. The United States lies to the north-west, Bahamas to the north, Haiti to the east, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands to the south and Mexico to the west.

Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is the most populated insular nation in the Caribbean. Havana, the capital of Cuba, is the largest city in the Caribbean region counting upwards of 2.5 million inhabitants directly in the city and 4 million people residing in surroundings suburbs. The second largest city in Cuba is home to half a million inhabitants in Santiago de Cuba.

The island of Cuba entails bountiful rolling hills in its foreground, with mountain ranges in the Southeast and central coast. Additionally, in the west coast of Cuba resides the country’s highest mountain of Pico Turquino standing tall at 6,390 ft. Looking through the endless cactus and thorn bushes, a typical natural feature of this year round tropical paradise, is the giant Cuban King Palm that can grow up to 130 ft. Moreover, Cuba is home to approximately 340 kinds of birds, 700 different kinds of fish and numerous other rare species like the Red Flame tree.

After the economic crisis and political collapse of the early 1990’s, resulting from the loss of important business partners from Eastern Europe and the WTO, the entire country began a transformation. Today, the country independently runs a socialistic system with a largely state-controlled planned economy. The government owns most current means of production, while the labor force is employed by the state. However, movements towards a more private sector of employment are beginning to surface.

The most important mineral resource is nickel, of which Cuba has the world's second largest reserves after Russia. Recent oil exploration has revealed that in the near future, Cuba could produce huge amounts of oil as well. If this oil rumor is true, what an interesting spin that would throw into world politics!

Similar to most Central American countries, the tropical climate of Cuba allows delightful travel year-round. Though both dry and wet seasons have their advantage, it’s good to know what you’re getting into. Generally, there is a drier season from November to April, and a rainy season from May to October. The average temperature is seventy degrees Fahrenheit in January and eighty-one degrees Fahrenheit in July.

Cuban people, culture, traditions and cuisine are very much influenced by it’s history. The official language of Cuba is Spanish, but throughout the island it is very common to hear numerous other dialects originating from their past as slave port. Having only spent a couple of hours in this unique country, the enthusiasm and vitality of the Cubans will be passed on to you, and making new friendships will come easy. Cubans are very happy people and warmly welcome every visitor.