Ore. students granted trip to Cuba: 'To see a country that's lost in time'

Ore. students granted trip to Cuba: 'To see a country that's lost in time'
By Nicole Comstock, KVAL News Published: May 19, 2013 at 7:36 PM PDT
Last Updated: May 20, 2013 at 7:50 AM PDT

EUGENE, Ore. -- Three Oregon universities are sending 15 of their
students to study abroad in Cuba, a destination that few Americans get
the chance to visit.

Tawny Garcia is one of the 15 students who was been given permission
from the U.S. Government to visit the embargoed country.

"I'm half Cuban-American. My father was born in Cuba, Garcia told KVAL
News. "He came over with his mother when he was a child, so it would be
nice to see my roots."

Also on board for the unique experience are 14 other students from
Portland State, University of Oregon and Oregon State.

Jorge Michel is taking the trip as a part of a medical program.

"I've romanticized it, to be completely honest. I think it's going to be
awesome to go down there and just get to see a country that's lost in
time," said Michel.

Michel said that the group's exploration of Cuba will be documented in
individual presentations.

"My Youtube is gonna be on bolero music - which is old, Spanish guitar,"
Michel said. "You hear… 'it's a paradise! It's the most beautiful place
on earth!' … or you hear people complaining about how terrible it is,
how repressive."

http://www.kval.com/news/local/Ore-students-granted-trip-to-Cuba-To-see-a-country-thats-lost-in-time-208088241.html