Recently
I took a trip abroad to a place I’d never imagined I’d be
visiting – Cuba. I had the opportunity to travel there for an
American Foreign Policy course my school was offering. I went into
the experience not really knowing what to expect other than cars from
the 1950s that my dad insisted I take tons of pictures of. What I
gained from the experience was more than I ever imagined. Being
immersed in a completely different culture and way of life for 10
days can really have an effect on someone.
The first thing that
surprised me about Cuba was the history. I’ve taken courses in
Latin American politics and learned about Cuba’s extensive history,
but being there and seeing it first hand was something I never
expected. Walking through Old Havana, you could see old forts that
looked more like castles, military camps, and architecture that
resembled what you’d find in Italy, Spain, or France. It was not
just run-down shacks that most Americans envision. It was so much
more than that.
One
of the most amazing aspects of Cuba was the vibrancy of the culture.
It was apparent within the first couple of days that the Cuban people
valued the arts much more than we do in the U.S.. There were
beautiful paintings and murals everywhere, art galleries around every
corner, and schools dedicated to art, music, dance, and theatre
throughout Cuba. The elementary school we visited had the artwork of
the students on display throughout the room, and our group consensus
was that these fourth grade and fifth grade students were better
artists than most of us. It was apparent that they did not have to
drill their students with the information to pass standardized tests
like we do here in the U.S. Children were exposed to all aspects of
learning, from art and music to science and gardening. Learning first
hand was a major component of the Cuban school system.
My
biggest takeaway from my time in Cuba, and something I think all
Americans could learn from, is the desire of the Cuban people to
follow their dreams. When we met with a doctor to discuss the medical
system there, one of our group members asked if they were lacking
medical professionals because so much more money could be made in
industries like tourism. She almost seemed as if she hadn’t ever
thought about it, and explained that if that’s the case, they
weren’t meant to be doctors, saying she was born to be a doctor.
She went into the profession because she wanted to help people, not
because of the pay, and that was truly beautiful.
People chose a profession that they were passionate about, and you could see the effects of that. The culture was vibrant because Cuba is filled with artists, musicians, and dancers. The people weren’t just worried about finding a career where they make the most money, and although they may not have had as much materially, they seemed so much happier. We need to take a lesson from our Cuban neighbors, slow down, and do what makes us happy. Once we stop living for money, we will truly live.
Kathryn Meggan Ust
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