Pre-Departure #1

Pre-Departure Blog by Jamie Carlson

January 10, 2023

We are finally ready to leave for Cuba!

We have been looking forward to this moment since October. We have read hundreds of pages of literature and watched hours of film footage to prepare us for the unknown- the real Cuba. Our understanding of Cuban culture has been limited due to the perceptions and who is doing the telling. Cuba is more than a small island that lies 90 miles from the United States’ southern tip that is labeled as a threat to the world due to its ideas of social relations and sovereignty. It is a culturally rich nation with a lively spirit, with ideas of what it means to be independent and free. Defining this culture is more than the language, food, and music. It is also how the community views and treats diseases, business operations, and leadership styles. These concepts only make up the tip of the iceberg. There is no way for us to understand what it means to be Cuban in two short weeks, but we are embracing all the concepts of culture with open arms. The driving force is the thirst for knowledge, and how we can improve our leadership skills in the communities we hope to serve after graduation.

We have an intense itinerary packed with lectures and community interactions to increase our cultural competency related to diversity, inclusion, and social justice. Our class has never been more excited and energized to push our limits of comfortability and step into a world that is vastly different from our own. Our virtual and in-class lectures have brought us together like a family. As a family, we all bring to the table different strengths to complement each other through this experience. Most importantly, we are doing this together.

Our takeaways from this experience will vary, but we all share the same goal- to be a mindful leader that hears all voices to affect change in the communities we serve positively.