Hampshire in Havana Frequently Asked Questions

Program

• Is the program open for both spring and fall semesters? How long is the program?

  The program is open for eligible students spring semester only. The program is three months in length, leaving on or around the end of January and returning by early May. Students who have already participated in the program may be eligible to return for the fall semester.

• How many students participate in each program?

  12-15 students participate each spring.

• How do I apply?

  Students apply online through the application management system, HampGOES. Students are required to contact geo@hampshire.edu to make an appointment to speak with the program manager before submitting an application.

• Eligibility and Prerequisites
  • I am a Five College student. Am I eligible to apply? How does it work financially?

    Yes, Five College students are eligible to apply as long as they meet the eligibility requirements and prerequisites for the program. Five College Students pay Hampshire tuition, room, and board fees. UMass Amherst students, contact the Global Education Office program manager for more details about cost. Comprehensive fee covers tuition expenses, housing, meals, Cuba insurance, visa fees, and occasional excursions.

  • The Hampshire in Havana program is not currently an approved program at my school. Can I still apply and/or how do I get it approved?

    Yes, you can still apply, but you should check with your home institution’s study abroad office to see what the process is to apply for a non-approved program.

  • I don’t have two college level semesters of Spanish, but I took it in high school. Can I still apply?

    Yes, you can still apply, but preference will be given to students who have met the language requirements. Strong Spanish language proficiency is needed, as you will be conducting coursework in Spanish and integrating into local communities.

Academics and Program Structure

• What are the four courses that I will take throughout the semester?
  • Cuba Society & Culture Course
  • Spanish Language Course
  • Cuba Project Seminar
  • Independent Research Project
• Who teaches the courses? Are they Cuban or U.S. faculty?

  The Cuba program is led each semester by a Hampshire College full time faculty member. The Faculty member oversees and teaches the culture course and seminar alongside our partner, the Fundación Alejo Carpentier. Visiting Cuban faculty teach various components of the culture course, and the Spanish course is taught by Cuban language instructors

• What is the role of the tutor? How many hours a week do I work with them? What are the tutor’s responsibilities?

  Tutors are selected by the Foundation upon consultation with the Hampshire Cuba Committee. The tutor works with student for the duration of the semester, working to help the student refine, define, and execute their project. Students are expected to meet with their tutor six hours a week. The tutor is responsible for supervising the project and evaluating the project at the end of the semester.

• What are some typical project themes?

  Ethnographic fieldwork (with sociological, anthropological, and cultural studies approaches); race, gender, and sexuality studies; historical research and archival projects; studies of literature, architecture, dance, theater, music, photography, film, and visual arts; performance and practice in arts and literature. Project abstracts are available on the Global Education Office Cuba page.

Grades, Credits, and Transcripts

• How will I receive my transcript after the program ends?

  Non-Hampshire students will need to request transcripts through Hampshire College’s Central Records. 

• How will my credits transfer to my home institution?

  Hampshire students automatically receive credit for a full semester assuming they successfully complete the four required courses. Non-Hampshire students should check with their home institution as to their credit requirements and process for getting the program approved and credits transferred.

• I am a non-Hampshire student. Can I get grades or do I need to get written evaluations?

  All non-Hampshire students will receive letter grades for each course, including the independent study project. 

• How many credits will I receive for the semester?

  Hampshire College recommends the equivalent of four credit hours for each course (total of 16 credits).

Housing

• Will I be living with other Hampshire College program participants? Are we located near each other?

  Students are housed in a homestay living arrangement in Cuban Casa Particulares. Depending on the size of the group, students may live with one or two other program participants. All participants have their own bedroom but share bathroom, kitchen and other living facilities.

• What else is included in the accommodations?

  Accommodations in the Casa Particular include two meals per day (breakfast and dinner) and laundry. Each student has their own private furnished bedroom and shares a bathroom and kitchen with the rest of the household. 

Finances

• How much does the program cost?

  Non-Hampshire students are billed Hampshire College semester tuition, room, and board. The Hampshire in Havana Program Expense Sheet outlines costs for the spring 2020 semester.

• Is there any financial aid available to non-Hampshire students?

  No. Students should check with their home institution about if financial aid can apply and if there are any scholarships or grants available.

• Is there a required deposit to participate in the program?

  No. There is $500 withdrawal fee if students withdraw after the Hampshire notification deadline. Please see the Hampshire Withdrawal and Refund Policy.

• How much should I budget for personal expenses outside of the comprehensive program fee?

  As part of participation in the Cuba program, all students receive a month living stipend (in the amount of approximately $180 a month) to help off-set the additional meal costs not covered in the Casas as well as transportation costs.  This should be enough to live comfortably. However students are responsible for all additional expenses such as supplies, local transportation, phone usage, entertainment and other personal expenses.