Emily

Research questions

• What is the perception of the U.S. in Cuba?
• What are the steps that should be taken with the U.S. embargo on Cuba?
• If the embargo were to be lifted, how would Cuba change?

How was your trip?

Whenever anyone asks me how my trip to Cuba was, all that comes to mind is life changing. Before taking flight, I had done extensive research on the U.S. embargo on Cuba and read through tons of articles and websites filling my mind with statistics and ideology that went against the communist and socialist set up, only telling me the downfalls of the Castro government. Bombarded with evidence of political prisoners and people living with no rights to vote or protest and the majority of the money from the economy being funneled to the government left me to believe Cuba was going to be scary to visit.

I had no idea what to expect when I got off of the plane. To my surprise, I was greeted with friendly faces everywhere we went and a society filled with loving and happy people. When I looked around the beautiful capital of Havana, I did see houses that weren’t in the greatest conditions and environments that needed fixing up. Yet, no one seemed too worried. Everyone is able to get what they need to live in Cuba. The housing is free along with the education, and healthcare, and the limited food resources are evenly distributed by ration cards so no one goes hungry. Cuba was the first country in the world to be declared free of illiteracy as well. After being told so many negative things about the gorgeous country, I was able to see for myself. I think the biggest thing I learned from going to Cuba was that there is never one side to a story, and I was able to see benefits and detriments of both the U.S. and Cuba and reflect accordingly. No one is perfect, and we are all continuing to grow. All I know is that I need to go back to Cuba, and the experience has changed my life forever!