Only a few weeks out from the end of spring break, Columbus State University’s study abroad office is already planning its next holiday excursion, this time to Cuba.

In the wake of President Obama’s historic visit to the island nation, CSU’s Department of History and Geography is planning a study abroad trip to the country during Spring Break 2018 to expose students to Cuban history and culture.

“Through visits to the Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara, the forts of La Habana and other monumental sites, we will explore Cuban colonial and international history,” said assistant professor Ilaria Scaglia, who serves as CSU’s Cuba study abroad program coordinator.

Doug Tompson, associate professor of Latin American history and coordinator of the Belize study abroad program at CSU, believes this venture will expand CSU’s reputation as a first choice institution by providing students the opportunity to explore a country unfamiliar to most Americans.

“The program was generated by historians,” said Scaglia. “But, every student at CSU can benefit from this program, including students from the arts, business and biology. Cuba has a distinct culture and society that deserve to be studied.”

CSU’s study abroad program in Cuba will be open to all majors. Grants and scholarships are available for students interested in studying abroad. For more information, visit https://studyabroad.columbusstate.edu/.