Can Teachers Travel to Cuba?

Teacher Travel to Cuba

• The "Introduction to Cuba" tour is currently the largest organization for educational travel to the Cuban island. Three educational tours are scheduled per year to impoverished nation. New Year's, spring break and summer vacation tours are scheduled annually.
  
  

Eduational Tours

• The educational tours are typically eight days long and include tours of existing Cuban schools, tours of educational and historic locations. It also serves as a tax-deductible professional development experience.
  
  

Educational Travel Permits

• Teachers from the United States must apply for an educational permit in advance of the trip to legally travel to the island. The "no trade with an enemy act" prohibits Americans not from traveling to Cuba, but from spending money on the island.
  
  

Interact with Cuban Students

• Educational excursions to Cuba are open to many types of school staff. Educational aids, administrative assistants and school board members can all participate organized trips to Cuba. During the tour of the island, educators interact with students, staff and parents within a community.
  
  

Global Exchange Tours

• The "Global Exchange Reality" tour also offers educational and humanitarian trips to Cuba. These tours focus on the educational needs of preschool through higher education students. This organization was developed through the United Nations Education, Scientific and cultural Organization initiative, with the goal of increasing the level of education for all children, particularly the disadvantaged. While Cuba is a poor country, the government spends almost 11 percent of its budget on education. Cuban students attend school free of charge, including college or technical institutions. According to the most recent statistics available through UNICEF recorders, one in fifteen Cubans hold a college degree.