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My decision to go with the college to Cuba was a dream come true. Coming from someone who has never left the United States, or even been on an airplane before this moment, I was exhilarated and terrified at the thought of going to a different country. The affordability of the trip caught my eye, and my sister’s rave review of her own trip to Mexico through the college made me resolute in that I would try to join the engineers in their journey to Cuba. It didn’t hurt that I had an instant connection with the International Trip Coordinator, Judith Mallory. Her expertise on world travel and her friendly demeanor gave me all the confidence I needed to leave my home country for the first time in my life.

Before the trip, I didn’t get much of a chance to research Cuba. Of course, I knew about the existence of the embargo on Cuba, and I knew about the ongoing, strained relationship between Cuba and the United States. However, that was the extent of my knowledge on the country. I arrived in Cuba not knowing what to expect. I assumed there might be some (albeit warranted, in my opinion) hostility from the citizens of Cuba toward Americans, but I was so, so wrong. We were greeted with such hospitality and joy that I will never forget the smiles on the faces of the Cuban people when they found out that our group was from America. “America!” a lovely waiter at the first restaurant we visited exclaimed, “Oh, I love Beyoncé!”

Given that I knew nothing of Cuba’s history, I was amazed by everything I saw. The historic buildings, the rich culture… It was all a lot to take in, but the pride of the Cuban people is what I will never forget. Anyone who visits Cuba can tell that they have a love for their country that is overflowing. Our guide said that some citizens refuse to leave their historic, dilapidated homes for basically free, brand new homes outside of the city because they love Old Havana so much. That is their culture, their history, their upbringing! So, they will not leave what they call home. That stuck with me.

My absolute favorite part of the trip was getting to visit the Museo de la Revolución (The Museum of the Revolution). Here is where I caught up on my Cuban history. The museum is inside of the Presidential Palace, where the dictator Batista reigned over the country until being overthrown in 1959. The entire story of the Cuban Revolution filled me with a respect for Cuba that will never fade. The coming together of a country to pull off what could be considered a miracle was so powerful to me. Even from my lack of Cuban history, I still knew a little about the United States’ side of the story of what happened during the Revolution. I think it is crucial to not be blinded by your own perspective and try to see everything from someone else’s eyes. That is what I got to experience at the Museum, and it was so powerful that I was brought to tears several times while exploring the Museum’s exhibits. Cuba and its people have been through so much, and they have come out on the other side forever a vibrant force to be reckoned with.

I could not be more thankful to Judith Mallory and the TCE for allowing me the opportunity of a life time. I feel that I’ve found a mentor in her, and I have made wonderful friends in the engineering students on the trip.  Not many people can say that they’ve gotten to visit Cuba, and I am fortunate to now say that I’m one of the lucky ones. I will forever hold my memories from Cuba close to my heart.