Reflections on 2024: Resilience, Collaboration, and Transformation

To say 2024 was a dramatic year is an understatement. The year was full of challenges, both political, economic, and environmental. Despite these challenges, I feel there is much success we can lean into as I reflect on the year and look into our future.

First, I am most inspired by the drive and determination of the people of our Cuban communities. Leadership, faculty and staff at all of the Cuban campuses rallied to make sure the programs went off with minimal disruption. Our US colleagues who flowed with the day-to-day challenges got a glimpse of the famous resiliency of the Cuban people. Many caught that energy too. For example, sitting in a classroom one day, the power goes out. We were all struck as the Cuban professor just shrugged, dropped the clicker for his laptop and continued working on the chalkboard seamlessly. Later in the week, the power went out as a US delegate was just about to speak. Everyone in the audience both US and Cuban, scrambled instantly to copy the presentation on everyone’s device using their individual tech tricks. In ten minutes, our delegate was able to start again. Resiliency is contagious. It’s a torch that leads the way in everything we do.

In 2024, we facilitated participation in workshops and meetings for representatives of 25 US colleges, universities and NGO’s who connected with seven Cuban universities and dozens of other local organizations. We have followed up these Cuba meetings virtually and in-person. We explored areas of mutual interest and campus priorities. We found common ground inspiring campuses to work together as equals to work on programs to address global and local challenges. Some campuses are teaming together to explore the environment and sustainability. Others are working on capacity building and teacher training.

We facilitated transformational faculty-led study abroad programs for US and Mexican institutions. The programs were co-taught alongside Cuban faculty and students as we explored areas including African Diaspora, women’s studies, Public Health, Cold War History, Cuban History, music, the environment, and sustainability. The Cuban students were a part of the program in various contexts. We had a group of students engaged as interpreters, while others presented on a unit topic. The participation worked both ways as some assisted in exercises in a Cuban English language class. It was a thrill to see students working together and bonding as equals. I had the pleasure of visiting with students in New York, California, and Mississippi who reflected on their experiences and the impact it has had on them since their return. Many of them remain in contact with each other.

We had the pleasure of having our first summer semester course where students earned six credits studying cold war history from multiple perspectives. They also learned and experienced contemporary Cuban culture in a course taught by five Cuban universities. This was our largest academic collaboration for a course ever. I’m always grateful to the Universities of Cienfuegos, Sancti Spiritus, Matanzas, Artemisa, and Pinar Del Rio. The leadership of these institutions came together as a team of all-stars to bring in faculty, experts, and stakeholders from each of their communities to create a full Cuba immersion in such a condensed period of time.

The Civitas GES Cuban staff made their way to the United States to visit with universities and organizations throughout the state of New York. While we had to truncate our visit due to two hurricanes, we met with our friends and colleagues at eight campuses who helped us view international education from a US context. We were able to visit their campuses to discuss and plan programs for the future. The hospitality we received from our friends will not soon be forgotten and will continue to motivate us. As a side bar, I was able to show my colleagues where I grew up in Queens. 😊

The 9th Cuba TIES workshop saw a resurgence in student participation especially from Cal State LA and SUNY Cortland. Among many memorable moments, in the Cuba TIES Student Forum showcased a US and Cuban student unbeknownst to each other approached social issues in their contexts using improvisation and comedy. I hope they stay in touch and find ways to research and collaborate going forward.

With the help of our US delegates, Civitas GES was able to continue to sport local community organizations that continue to impact their own communities like the Proyecto Calidad de Vida, the Graphic Arts Society of Cienfuegos, and Proyecto Lembranza. Programs like these are critical for the community-centered experience that we foster with every exchange. We’ll continue to support their missions and will work harder so our participants can have opportunities to contribute to more organizations like these.

In has been quite a year and we at Civitas GES are always grateful for the dedication, commitment, and the open arms you greet us. We are One Community, bonded by transformation and a desire to make an impact at home and in the world. I look forward to continuing our mission to create an inclusive global community based on friendship, academic excellence, and respect for diverse perspectives. I hope you will continue to walk this journey with us in 2025.