Oakland University student says in Cuba I discovered a lot

Upon her return to the United States after a recent study trip to Cuba, Oakland University sophomore Annabelle Chidiac said “I went there to discover and discovered a lot,”

Despite the recent thawing of diplomatic relations between the two countries, educational
trips are one of the few exemptions for which Americans can obtain travel visas to visit the island nation.

Chidiac had no predisposition about the country, it’s people or customs. The sociology
course taught her Cuban history, culture and the native language.

Younger Cubans, Chidiac said, have a more favorable and optimistic view of relations with
their neighbors to the north.

“It was interesting to go there with an American perspective of what Cubans think of us. The
reality is, a lot of people like America.”

Cubans are very educated, Chidiac said, adding she noticed their buildings and architecture
are very different from what is seen in the United States.

She also remarked at what seemed to be a “liberal” Cuban government in terms of social
issues like health care, gender and sexuality.

Chidiac stayed in Havana with a host family, from whom she picked up a great deal of the
language.

“I used my Spanish dictionary a lot,” she said. “Living with them and being forced to speak
it taught me a lot. … We spoke no English.”

Chidiac said she is still in contact with her host hosts, who offered her a “very warm welcome.”

Born in France of Lebanese descent Chidiac said she contradicted many Cubans’ perception
of Americans’ appearance.

“To them, Americans are all blond-haired, blue-eyed Europeans,” she said.

Chidiac said she was happy to return home after the life-changing experience, but would
welcome the opportunity to return to Cuba.