Parent Review: Study Abroad to Cuba, with West Chester University & Augsburg CGEE
The following was submitted by parents of a student participant who went on a custom faculty-led program to Cuba in March 2024.
What an amazing, life changing experience it was for our daughter who participated in CGEE’s 10 day Study Abroad trip to Cuba (March, 2024).
CGEE’s detailed powerpoint presentation and handouts included everything our daughter needed to be prepared prior to departure. In addition to what to pack, lodging, transportation, detailed itinerary, it explained what to expect while navigating through customs in the US and in Cuba, and being placed in the care of the Liaison leaders from CGEE who would guide and support them throughout the entire trip. We felt very safe sending her with West Chester professors and the experienced leaders of CGEE.
And if the wealth of information we received in advance wasn’t reassuring enough, their well-thought out itinerary exposed the students to different regions and Cuban cultures, provided opportunities to meet and make connections to local communities and allowed for engaging activities that without a doubt would gain a deeper understanding of the world and the people in it, convinced us that this Cuba trip would be the best first study abroad experience for our daughter.
We were fortunate enough to be able to communicate with her throughout the week as she shared the many adventures she had and wonderful people she met. This same sense of calm and comfort continued when we were notified at the end of the trip that our daughter passed out due to intense abdominal pain, rushed to the clinic for medical attention, and later in the day treated for food poisoning. Nichole at CGEE kept us informed, stayed at her side the entire time, and ensured our daughter was in the best care possible. She translated any examinations/treatments and remained in contact with us every 2 hours. Nichole treated her as if she were her own daughter.
We would absolutely recommend anyone going on an educational trip that is through CGEE. It was overall a life changing experience for our daughter. We thank both CGEE and West Chester University for allowing this to happen. She can’t wait for the next Study Abroad Adventure!
(Names and photos of the participant have been omitted for privacy)
